How to keep your dog safe during Fourth celebrations
The storm woke me up last night. Continuous flashes of lightning, followed by loud thunder, got me up to look out the window. Our dog, who was sleeping just outside the doorway, just sighed and stretched, as I moved past him. I was grateful he wasn’t upset by the weather.
Earlier in the day, I’d overheard a woman at the grocery store telling someone she had to hurry home to be with her dog because he was so afraid of the thunder. And, that she was dreading the noise from the fireworks on the Fourth of July because her dog gets so upset.
Dogs react differently to thunder and the noise of our celebrations of the Fourth of July.
With the Fourth of July rapidly approaching, it’s a good time to plan for your dog if all the noise of the holiday upsets him. The ASPCA and HSUS offer suggestions for keeping our pets safe and reducing their stress during the Fourth of July.
If you know your dog is seriously stressed by loud noises like fireworks or thunder, talk with your veterinarian before the Fourth of July about ways to alleviate its fear, stress or anxiety during fireworks displays.
One of the best things to do, is to leave your dog home. Resist the urge to take them with you to the fireworks displays. Keep your pets indoors, in a quiet, sheltered area. Leaving a radio on, playing at the normal volume, may keep your dog company while his family is at a parade or picnic. Some animals may become destructive, so take away any items that can be chewed and harmful to your dog.
Don’t leave your dog in a hot car where they only have hot air to breathe. Leaving them in a hot car can result in serious health effects and even death in just a few minutes. Leaving the windows partially open doesn’t provide enough air for them and can also result in your dog being stolen.
Never use fireworks around your pets. Exposure to lit fireworks can result in severe burns and/or trauma to his face and paws. Since may fireworks contain potentially toxic substances including potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals, even unlit fireworks pose a danger to our pets.
Don’t apply any insect repellent or sunscreen to your pet that is not specifically labeled for use on animals. Misusing insect repellent products containing DEET can lead to neurological problems. A dog’s ingestion of sunscreen products can result in vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy and excessive thirst.
Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of your pet’s reach. Ingestion of these can cause stomach irritation and even central nervous system depression. If inhaled, the oils can cause aspiration pneumonia in your pet.
Pay attention to your dog. Never leave your dog outside, unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a tie-out. In their fear of the loud noises, dogs who normally wouldn’t leave your yard may escape and get lost or injured. Dogs may become entangled in their tie-out ropes, risking injury or death.
Make sure your dog is wearing an ID tag with the current information on them so your dog can be returned promptly to you if he should get lost.
Animal shelters are accustomed to receiving these July Fourth dogs, dogs who run off during firework displays and are then rescued by animal control officers and good Samaritans, who take them to the safety of a local shelter. The phone number for The Buddy Foundation shelter is (847) 290-5806, if you’re looking for a lost dog or cat.
The Fourth of July is a good holiday to celebrate with family and friends. Keeping our pets safe and stress free can make them even better.
Ÿ The Buddy Foundation is a nonprofit (501c3), all volunteer, no-kill animal shelter dedicated to the welfare of stray, abused and abandoned cats and dogs. For information, call (847) 290-5806 or visit thebuddyfoundation.org.