Fourth of July Pet Tips

Molly - both patriotic and available for adoption through Dogs Deserve Better!

“To us, July 4th is corn on the cob, barbecues and pyrotechnics set to the booming tones of the 1812 Overture. To your dog, man, it is Armageddon. The sounds. The vibrations. The yelling. The sulfurous smell of gunpowder. No wonder it’s the most common night for pets to run away.” – Dr. V., Pawcurious

Dr. V. is spot on with her assessment of the upcoming holiday.  Fourth of July tends to be one of the most terrifying holidays for many dogs, but here are a few tips to make this Independence Day a little less stressful for your pooch.

• If your dog will be spending a lot of time outside with you, make sure he has access to plenty of fresh water, and apply sunscreen to delicate areas like his nose and ears throughout the day (and underbelly too, if you’ll be on the water).
• In case your dog does get spooked by a loud noise, make sure he is wearing proper identification – microchips are a bonus in the event his collar comes off.
• Heading to the lake or river?  Don’t forget the doggy lifejacket!
• To avoid an upset stomach (or worse), make sure you keep alcoholic beverages and any people snacks or scraps (especially bones, onions, avocado, grapes and raisins) out of your dog’s reach.
• Avoid the urge to take your dog to any major firework display.  Many pets are easily frightened by the loud noises and bright lights.  Plus, dogs don’t appreciate the finer things in life like sparkly fireworks set to classical music.
• To keep your dog or cat safe and stress-free at home, keep them in a secure, escape-proof room, and turn on a radio or television to normal volume to help mask some of the sounds. If he is crate trained, put him in his crate covered with a blanket to make him feel secure. As a preventive measure, make sure all doors (including doggy doors), windows, and gates are closed and locked securely.
• For the extra anxious and sound-sensitive dogs, stop by L&R before the 4th to pick up a bottle of Rescue Remedy or a Thundershirt – the best solution for pet anxiety!