5 Tips For Keeping Pets Safe On The 4th! 

A day full of food, fun, friends and fireworks in celebration of the 4th of July is what most of us would call a perfect day. But does your pet feel the same way? Probably not!

The added commotion of a houseful of strange smells, access to dangerous chemicals in bug repellents and fireworks, too much time outside in the heat, exposure to loud noises, and other stressors can make this holiday hard on your furry family members.

We reached out to local experts for all the best info to make sure your pet has a safe and happy holiday!

1. Before The Holiday: Tips from The Savvy Sitter

Local pet sitter, Savanna Westwood, put together a list of suggestions for how to prepare your pet and your home for a hectic holiday. Our favorite piece of advice in her article focuses on making sure your pet has a safe, quiet and familiar place to retreat to in the event that they are frightened or uncomfortable.

Another thing she recommends is making sure your pet has proper ID tags prior to the holiday. The extra foot traffic of people coming in and out as friends and family gather means that your pet may accidentally make their way outside into harm’s way.

2. Keep Pets Away From Fireworks

Seems like an obvious enough suggestion, but our curious critters have a way of sniffing out new and interesting items around the house. Access to explosives, and even the chemicals used in bug repellents, light up jewelry and lighters can make your pet extremely ill. Dr. Pedro Santiago of Wintermere Animal Hospital cautions you to keep your stash of celebratory items in a safe place, away from pets and to monitor your yard, table-tops, etc. where items may land after use so that they can be picked up and put away.

3. Hydration, Hydration, Hydration!

Pets, just like humans, tend to forget to hydrate when they’re having fun! All the commotion of extra kiddos to play with, spending long hours in the sun for a family cook-out, or tagging along to a neighborhood get together can mean your pet doesn’t have adequate access to water. Make sure to allow your pet continuous access to clean water and lots of opportunity to rest inside or in the shade!

4. Fire Safety For Furry Family Members

Dr. Angela Chesanek of Chain of Lakes Animal Clinic has a monthly newsletter for her furry families called Pawspective. This month’s issue includes information about fire safety and how that effects your pet. “Pets are curious and may bump into or knock over or turn on cooking equipment”, she says. This is great advice to keep in mind if you are planning on having a cook-out or BBQ where open flames or unusual items may entice your pet to poke around. All the yummy smells that encourage your crowd to gather will do the same for your pets, so exercise caution and keep a close eye on animals when enjoying a cook-out!

5. Clean Up Debris

The Savvy Sitter’s last tip for us is important-not just for the environment- but for the safety of pets after all the celebrations are said and done. Debris from fireworks, neighborhood block parties and backyard BBQs can all create hazards for the pets in your home. Be sure to carefully comb through your yard for any leftover debris and dispose of it properly to avoid any undo emergencies.

We are so thankful for the wealth of resources in Horizon West that help us take care of our fur babies in a myriad of ways! From caring vets to creative pet-sitters, your furry friend is sure to be well taken care of. Enjoy a Safe and Happy 4th of July, Horizon West!