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We all love Independence Day – cooking out, gathering with friends, parades, fireworks. But did you ever think about how your pets feel about the 4th of July? All the noise and commotion may be a little scary, and even unsafe, for them. With preparation and supervision, and knowing their limits, you and your pets can have fun, safe adventures together! Here’s what every Smart Pet Parent needs to know about pet safety for the 4th of July. You may want to check out my guide to summer pet safety, as well.
1. Pet Safety Begins with Hydration
Pets, like humans, need extra water when it’s hot. Cool water helps with temperature regulation and reduces the risk of heatstroke or heat exhaustion. Water is essential because pets don’t sweat through their skin like people do to keep cool, and they can’t take their fur coats off. Good hydration is also essential for proper circulation, digestion, and kidney function, reducing the risk of urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and organ failure. Obviously, you want to be sure their water bowl is always full of cool, fresh water inside and outside. Here are some additional tips:
- Add ice cubes or use a pet water fountain to keep water cool and appealing.
- Carry a portable water bowl on walks or trips. Try this one for big dogs or long walks.
- Give them wet food – espcially cats, who don’t always drink enough water to begin with.
- Never leave pets outside without access to water and shade.
2. Leashes are a Must for Pet Safety
If you are out and about with your pets this 4th of July, be sure to bring their leashes. There are way too many distractions: enticing smells, things to chase, other dogs (and people) to sniff. A harness will provide extra protection from slipping loose. Take a look at this comfortable harness with reflective straps from Amazon. You should also make sure their pet tags are labeled and up to date with your current phone number and address.
3. Fireworks are Scary to Pets
Humans might love fireworks, but they scare most animals. The noise hurts their ears and can even trigger a fight-or-flight response, and the flashing lights and sound vibrations can be terrifying. They may even consider them a threat to their humans, because they don’t know these sounds and lights are harmless. Whether you are going to a fireworks show or hosting your own, if you don’t want them running for cover, leave them home!
Some helpful tips for helping both cats and dogs handle fireworks:
- If you know there will be fireworks, exercise your pet earlier in the day to help them release energy.
- Keep them indoors during fireworks, even if they’re usually outdoor pets.
- Create a safe, quiet space with familiar bedding and toys.
- Close windows, blinds, and curtains to muffle sounds and block light flashes.
- Play calming music or white noise to help drown out the booms.
- Calming vests (like ThunderShirts) provide soothing pressure around their torso and may help with anxiety.
- Pheromone diffusers or sprays (like Adaptil or Feliway) can be calming.
- Check with your vet if your best friend is prone to anxiety. They might provide medications if needed.
4. Pet Safety at Parades
What’s Independence Day without a parade? Fun for humans, but it might be best to leave your furry friend at home, for a lot of reasons: the noise, crowds, snacks people drop, and fun things thrown from the floats can all be distressing for them. There are too many distractions, so if you feel you must have them with you to enjoy the Independence Day parade, be sure they are on a leash! (See point #2 above.)
5. Cookouts
Firing up the grill and throwing food on for a delicious cookout – humans do love food cooked outdoors! Unfortunately, so do pets, and a lot of human food is really bad for them, so don’t fall for those oh-so-cute puppy dog (or kitty-cat) eyes! Some of the more common things you might have at your cookout that are particularly harmful include:
- Alcohol: Even a small amount can cause ethanol poisoning. Pets are much more sensitive to alcohol than humans. Watch for disorientation, vomiting, tremors, and breathing issues, all of which could be signs your pup got into the beer.
- Onions and garlic: Whether cooked, raw, or powdered, these can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. They probably won’t eat them, but just to be safe, watch for weakness, vomiting, pale gums, or a fast heart rate.
- Bones: Supposedly a good treat for dogs, cooked bones can actually be harmful. They can splinter when chewed and cause choking, intestinal blockages, or internal tears. You can give them raw meaty bones under careful supervision.
- Grapes and raisins: Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure, even in small amounts. Watch for vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, and increased thirst or urination.
- Chocolate: Everyone has heard that chocolate is bad for dogs, but did you know it can also be harmful to cats? Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which affect the heart, nervous system, and kidneys. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are especially dangerous. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and an abnormal heart rhythm.
Say you do want to share some of your yummy food with your pets. A few things that will be safe for dogs include baby carrots, plain cooked pumpkin, apple slices (no seeds), frozen green beans. Cats will enjoy cooked plain chicken or turkey or a bit of scrambled egg, Just be sure to supervise so they don’t inhale their treat and end up choking.
If you aren’t sure if something is safe for your pet, check out the ASPCA Animal Poison Control site.
6. Pets and Water Safety
Beaches, pools, lakes, and boating! Water play can be a fun way to cool off in the heat, and boating is a popular 4th of July pastime. Really, what better way to cool off than a dip in the pool or a ride on a boat? A few simple precautions can ensure your furry companions stay safe and have fun, too.
To keep your pets safe, never assume they are natural swimmers. Did you know that dogs with short legs have more difficulty in the water than bigger dogs? Before taking your pets to the beach or on a boat, know their limits. Let them test the waters, so to speak, in a closely supervised environment. Start slowly and see how they do before a bigger adventure.
Swimming pools are enticing to many dogs, but accidents can happen quickly, so watch them closely and teach them where the exit steps or ramps are. Never let them drink chlorinated (or salt) water. When they come out of the pool, be sure to rinse them thoroughly, because the chlorine can irritate their skin. Also, clean and dry their ears thoroughly to avoid infections.
Boating with your dogs can be a blast! Pet safety depends on safe boating habits. These tips can help prevent disaster. First, get your dog a well-fitting life vest, and, just like the kids, make sure they wear it at all times on board. Their life vests should have a handle on the top in case you need to grab them and pull them out of the water. Even strong swimmers can panic or get fatigued.
Next, familiarize your pets with the boat before heading out onto the open water. Let them wander and sniff, and be sure they recognize the engine sound and boat movement on the water so they aren’t startled. When you are underway, they should be leashed or otherwise contained so they don’t fall overboard or slip on the deck.
Sometimes, you just want to head to the lake or beach with your furry friend! Look for pet-friendly beaches, and in the water, be on the lookout for strong undercurrents or steep dropoffs and sharp rocks. Never let them drink lakewater, as it can contain parasites or harmful bacteria. I know this firsthand from when my boxer drank water out of the bayou!
With all water activities, be sure pets have access to shade and plenty of fresh water to avoid dehydration and heatstroke. Put together a pet kit that includes travel water and food bowls, a first aid kit, leashes and harnesses, and potty supplies.
Making pet safety a top priority with these sensible tips will ensure you and your furry companions can have a fun and safe 4th of July!
Visit my Amazon Summer Gear for Pets page!
What other tips do you have for holiday pet safety?