On the 4th of July, many of us look forward to celebrating with family, friends, and fireworks.
However, it’s crucial not to overlook the potential dangers this holiday can pose to our beloved
furry friends. As the holiday approaches, Adana Veterinary Clinic is here to walk you through the day and teach you how to keep your pets safe and calm during the festivities.
Before the party:
Just as you prepare for holiday festivities, don’t forget to prioritize your pet’s safety leading up to
the 4th of July. Give yourself peace of mind by ensuring your furry friend is microchipped and
wearing an up-to-date collar tag. If your pet somehow escapes or gets lost, a microchip and upto-date collar tag will help ensure you are reunited. If your pet still needs to be microchipped,
schedule an appointment with us today!
Creating a secure and pet-friendly environment is key to preventing accidental escapes. Set up a
designated safe space for your pet and remind your party guests to watch for your pets, always
ensuring doors are securely closed behind them.
Fun in the Sun:
While you may think applying sunscreen or bug repellent to your pet would be beneficial, avoid
applying any products unless they are explicitly labeled for use on animals. Misusing insect
repellent or allowing your pet to ingest sunscreen can lead to serious neurological and intestinal
problems, including symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and in severe cases, even death.
Instead of sunscreen, keep your pet safe from the sun by making sure they have lots of access to
shade and water when spending time outside.
If your plans include a day by the pool or near any body of water, it’s crucial to keep a close eye
on your furry companion. Consider investing in a pet life jacket—an invaluable tool that could
save your pet’s life in case of an accident!
Dinner time:
Resist those pleading puppy dog eyes—feeding your pets from the table can be risky!
Remember, certain human foods like onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes, raisins, salt, and
yeast dough can all spell trouble for your furry friends. Keep them safe by stashing food out of
their reach when you step away from the table.
Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can sniff them out. Alcohol can be toxic,
leading to intoxication, weakness, severe depression, coma, or even respiratory failure in extreme
cases. Be a vigilant pet parent and prevent any unfortunate mishaps!
Nighttime Festivities:
Make sure to keep glowsticks out of reach of your pets. While they may seem harmless,
ingesting the luminescent substance inside the glowstick can cause excessive drooling and
gastrointestinal irritation. Intestinal blockages can also occur from pets swallowing large pieces
of plastic.
Fireworks and pets don’t mix well. Be mindful of using fireworks around your furry friends, as
exposure to lit fireworks can lead to severe burns and trauma, particularly to their delicate faces
and paws. Even unused fireworks can pose a danger, as the explosive materials they contain can
be toxic if ingested.
If you’re attending a party, it’s probably best to leave your furry friends in the comfort of your
own home. Loud and crowded fireworks displays can easily frighten and disorient them. Resist
the urge to bring them along and provide a safe space in a quiet, sheltered, and escape-proof
room where they can find solace from the noise.
After the Party:
After the 4th of July festivities, don’t forget to inspect your yard for any debris. Even if you
didn’t personally ignite fireworks, remnants might have landed in your yard from neighbors or
nearby firework shows.
If you hosted a gathering, take a moment to survey the party area for any leftover food or trash.
Make sure the area is clear before your pet has a chance to explore and potentially ingest
something harmful.
As we wrap up our blog on pet safety during the 4th of July, it’s important to remember that our
responsibility as pet owners extends beyond this holiday. Ensuring the well-being and security of
our furry friends is a year-round commitment. Make sure your pet is up to date on their annual
wellness visit and vaccines. If you are unsure about your pet’s status or need to make an
appointment, call us today at 607-844-4042.