How to Keep Pets Safe on the Fourth of July

Independence Day means celebration time for Americans: From booze to backyard barbecues to loud fireworks—American humans that is. For American pets—not so much. Along with the rocket’s red glare and bombs bursting in air come some hazards for our scared, noise-sensitive cats and dogs—so it's our job to make sure they’re happy and safe. After all, they’re depending on us.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Leave your pet at home in a quiet, escape-proof room when you go to watch fireworks. Also, make sure that anything that can be destroyed or swallowed is out of reach in case they become frightened. Your safest bet is a cool, well-ventilated room without windows. A crate will work if that’s what your pet is used to.

2. Leave a TV or radio on at a regular volume to calm your pet and help drown out other noises. Turning on a fan might also help.

3. Make sure your dog or cat is wearing an ID tag with a current phone number in case they get lost. Having your pet microchipped is added insurance in case the collar comes off.

4. Keep your pet on a leash or in a carrier when you're both outside--and make sure that leash or carrier are secure!

5. Find a kennel that you can trust or consider hiring a professional pet sitter to stay with your pet if you plan on being away for the Independence Day holiday or even if you're just out for the night celebrating. If you have friends or relatives your pet can stay with, even better.

6. Consider using Rescue Remedy for Pets, a natural liquid stress reducer that can be mixed in with your pet's food/water or dropped directly into the mouth. Also, ginseng is an herb that has been shown to protect against the effects of stress in pets and an ingredient in various remedies that you can purchase at pet supply stores or online (see Resources below). Always check with your vet before administering.

Tips & Warnings

• If your pet becomes overly distressed by loud noises, you may want to consult with a veterinarian about getting a mild sedative or tranquilizer.
• If you find a lost pet without identification, call your local animal shelters to report it. This will be their best chance of being reunited with their owners.
• Horses may need to be sedated. Make sure all sharp objects are removed from their enclosures and keep them in their stalls rather than outside.
• Don’t leave your pet in the car while you're at a fireworks celebration. Cars become too hot, too quick for pets, even with the windows cracked, and heat stroke can set in within minutes. With open windows also comes the risk of your pet being stolen.
• Never leave your pet outside unattended, even in a fenced yard and certainly not chained up. Pets that don’t normally try to escape might try to when the fireworks start, and pets that are chained up can become entangled, which can cause injury or even death.
• Keep fireworks away from your pet. Aside from the potential for severe burns from lit fireworks, your pet might ingest unlit ones which can be toxic. Same for matches and lighter fluid. Lighter fluid can also irritate your pet's skin and be harmful if inhaled.
• As with any party or celebration, keep alcohol away from your pet. It can be toxic and even fatal.

Resources

• Rescue Remedy for Pets
• Calm Down For Dogs
• Calm Down For Cats
• Calm Down Dog, Cat or Horse

[niellste]

on 8/20/2008 very important article - i had a bird who was a victim of july fourth noise one year - hope this article can help some people take preventative measures with their pets

[diggitydogg]

on 10/15/2007 I completely agree. Noise pollution is supposed to be illegal and I think that qualifies! There are other ways to be patriotic.

[shurepetsrock]

on 10/15/2007 We make sure we are home by dark to protect our Pets and get the horses locked up in stall and help keep dogs calm, if something actually needs out lawed its fire works.

[Fancylad]

on 7/2/2007 good tips, thanks. i've lost the same dog twice because of fourth of july. if you have a bird, put a couple towels over their cage to muffle the noise of the fireworks, the same goes for thunderstorms.