Celebrating our nation’s independence is a summertime tradition, but the festivities can be hazardous for your pet. Ensure your pet does not spend the holiday in a veterinary emergency hospital by following these July Fourth safety tips from our Memorial Villages Animal Hospital team.

#1: Properly identify your pet

Many pets go missing on July Fourth because they run away when they are startled by the loud fireworks noise. Ensuring your pet is properly identified increases their chances of being returned home if they go missing. Appropriate pet identification includes:

  • Identification tags — Ensure your pet always wears a collar and tags with your current contact information.
  • Microchip — Microchipping is a simple procedure that can be performed during a routine veterinary visit—no sedation required—and is the best way to provide your pet with permanent identification that can’t be removed or lost. If your pet goes missing, shelter or veterinary employees can scan their chip for your contact information. You must keep your contact information updated in the registry database to ensure you can be located if your pet is found.

#2: Leave your pet at home

Many pets are more comfortable at home as opposed to accompanying you to a July Fourth celebration. Unless you know your pet will be calm in the crowds and during the fireworks display, leave them at home. Tips include:

  • Keep your pet inside — A frightened pet can easily escape by jumping or digging under the fence or other obstacle, so ensure they remain inside during the July Fourth festivities.
  • Designate a safe area — Ensure your pet has a comfortable room with bedding and toys, and offer a food puzzle toy to keep them distracted. 
  • Leave music playing — Play the radio or television at a comfortable volume to mask outdoor noises.
  • Stay at home — If your pet has a noise aversion to fireworks, stay at home with them to comfort them, so they don’t injure themselves.

#3: Don’t let your pet partake in the party food

If you are having friends over or taking your pet to a gathering, ensure they don’t eat any party food. Many July Fourth celebration dishes are high in fat, and can cause gastrointestinal upset and potentially pancreatitis, a serious health condition in pets. In addition, many common human foods, such as grapes, onions, chocolate, and alcohol, are toxic to pets. Prevent your pet from eating any forbidden foods with these tips:

  • Leash your pet — Keep your pet closely controlled to ensure they don’t find a tempting morsel.
  • Tell your friends — Ensure your friends and family know they must not offer your pet food from their plate.
  • Tidy up — Throw away discarded plates and cups to ensure your pet doesn’t finish the leftovers.
  • Offer appropriate treats — Have appropriate pet-friendly treats on hand for your pet when everyone is enjoying their meal.

#4: Prepare your pet for the event

Many pets suffer with noise aversion, and fireworks are a frequent culprit. If you know your pet is noise-averse to fireworks, take these steps to help them cope with the issue before the big day:

  • Desensitize your pet — By exposing your pet to a diluted form of the triggering noise, you can potentially desensitize them to the sound. Find a fireworks recording that causes a reaction, and play the track at a low volume that elicits no response. Over numerous sessions, incrementally turn up the volume to acclimate them to the noise. Immediately turn the volume down if they become upset, and start the next session at the lower, safe volume.
  • Counter condition your pet — While the noise is playing, feed your pet a high value treat or play their favorite game to help them form a positive association.
  • Use calming products — Products such as close-fitted vests, ear muffs, and pheromones help some pets remain calm during a noise event such as a fireworks display. Research these products and acclimate your pet to them during a positive time, to avoid a negative association.
  • Consult a veterinarian — Some pets have such a severe noise aversion that they need help from medications. Our veterinary professionals can determine if your pet is a good candidate for drug therapy, and  prescribe appropriate medication to help your pet during the excitement.

#5: Ensure your pet doesn’t overheat

A woman in workout gear gives a labrador retriever water from a cup on a sunny day at a park, with a blurry lake in the background after their pet rehabilitation session.

July in Texas is exceptionally hot, and pets are highly susceptible to heatstroke, since they don’t sweat like humans. When a pet overheats, excessive inflammation occurs throughout their body, damaging multiple organ systems. Tips to keep your pet cool include:

  • Never leave your pet in an unattended vehicle — The temperature in a parked car can quickly skyrocket, putting your pet at risk. Parking in the shade or leaving your windows cracked does not prevent the temperature from rising to dangerous levels.
  • Keep your pet hydrated — Carry water and a water bowl, and frequently offer your pet a drink.
  • Know the signs — Heatstroke signs in pets include excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, depression, diarrhea, and collapse. Ensure your pet showing these signs gets immediate veterinary attention.

Following these tips will help prevent your pet from visiting the emergency veterinary clinic this July Fourth. If you would like your pet microchipped before the big celebration, contact our team at Memorial Villages Animal Hospital, so we can ensure they have proper identification should they become lost.