We all look forward to summer holidays, but our pets often do not. Celebrations come with lots of noises and smells that can be scary to pets. The good news is there are simple ways to have a fun holiday and keep your pets safe and happy too.
1. Keep your pets indoors and at home. It’s very common for animals to become frightened by fireworks and run away. To keep your pets safe, it’s often best to leave your dog at home when you head out for the festivities. Consider setting up a quiet room or gating off an area where your dog can feel safe and secure. This is especially so if you’re having company over the holidays.
2. Block the sound. You can’t entirely prevent your pets from hearing fireworks, but you can help to minimize this by closing the blinds and playing soft music for them. If your dog or cat is especially prone to anxiety during fireworks, ask your veterinarian for advice on ways to help keep them calm during the holiday. They may recommend safe anti-anxiety medications or calming tools like a Thunder Shirt that do help some dogs. You may be able to distract your pet by leaving them with special treats while you’re gone, although some animals will refuse to eat when they are under stress.
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3. Get your pets IDs. Have your pets microchipped so that if they get lost, there’s a way for them to be easily reunited with you. If your pets are already microchipped, check with the microchip company to make sure they have your current contact information, and be sure your pets have ID tags on them.
4. Pet proof your home. The 4th of July is one of the most common days when dogs run and hide - and often get lost. To prevent this, check your fence for gaps or areas where your dog could accidentally slip through, and be sure window screens are in good condition and don’t have spaces where a pet could squeeze through.
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5. Keep holiday items out of reach. Keep sparklers and glow sticks - as well as commonly used cookout items like citronella and matches - away from pets, as they can contain toxic materials.
6. Avoid giving your pet holiday food. For us it's a treat to have a burger, but some pets have a tough time adjusting, even to small changes in diet. Also, be sure guests keep any alcoholic drinks away from your pet, since some of these can be poisonous for animals.
7. Watch the heat. Don’t leave your dog in the car when it’s hot out, even for short periods of time. Having the windows cracked doesn’t solve the problem. Association of Veterinary Medicine found that the temperature inside your car can rise almost 20º F in just 10 minutes, and continues to increase quickly. That means on a 70º day, the temperature inside your car would rise to 90º in just ten minutes.
Photo from Danny VB
