Make sure your pets are safe this Independence Day

Monday, June 25, 2018

The American Veterinary Medical Association has some great tips on how you can make July 4 fun and safe for your entire family—pets included.

Prepare in advance. Make sure your pets have up-to-date identification tags. If you have horses, consider a safety (breakaway) halter with your contact information on it.

If your pets are microchipped, make sure your contact information is current in the registry. If they aren’t chipped, talk with your veterinarian about this simple procedure that increases the chances of getting your pets back if they become lost.

Take a current photo of all your animals—dogs, cats, horses—just in case.

If your pet has historically been anxious on this holiday, consider behavioral therapy to desensitize your pet and reduce the risk of problems. Some pets may need medication. Consult your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist.

Make sure your environment is safe and secure. Is your yard secure enough to keep your pet contained? Are pasture fences secure enough to keep horses or other livestock contained if they get spooked?

When the holiday arrives, leave your pets at home when you attend parties, fireworks or parades. Loud, unfamiliar crowded places can be frightening to pets.

If you’re traveling out of town, perhaps leave your pets at home with a pet sitter or board them in a kennel.

If entertaining at home, consider putting your pets in a safe, escape-proof room or crate. Keep your pets inside when setting off fireworks.

Keep sparklers, glow sticks, fireworks, charcoal, and kabob skewers away from curious pets. Don’t let pets near your barbecue grill while it is in use or still hot.

Avoid feeding your pets table scraps. Be especially careful to keep them away from products containing xylitol (artificial sweetener in some sugar-free products), chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins, fatty and fried foods, macadamia nuts, and avocados.

Remember that too much sun and heat can be dangerous for pets, too. Make sure they have access to shady spots and plenty of water when outdoors.

After the celebration is over, check your yard for debris. Even if you don’t set off any fireworks, debris can make its way to your yard. Check your pastures as well and remove any debris to protect your horses and livestock.

Help your entire family—humans and animals—have a safe, happy Fourth of July holiday!

by Elisabeth J. Giedt, DVM