Keep Calm and Celebrate: July 4th Pet Tips You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner
The Fourth of July is typically a wonderful holiday for humans, but the same holiday can have our furry friends feeling red, white, and blue. From loud, booming fireworks to busy parades, Independence Day is not the most pet-friendly holiday. That's why it's so important to take proper precautions and keep your pets calm and secure. Luckily, you can help reduce pet stress by preparing ahead of time.
Why the Fourth of July Is Dangerous for Pets
Unlike humans, our pets aren't accustomed to fireworks and don't understand their meaning, leaving them easily spooked. In fact, more pets go missing around July 4th than at any other time of year, according to the AMC. Additionally, a delicious Fourth of July barbecue can have some not-so-scrumptious consequences for hungry pets—skewers, charcoal, and bones, oh my!
How to Prepare Pets for the Fourth of July
Here are five tips to help ensure a low-stress Fourth of July for your furry friends.
01 of 05
Update Your Contact Info
If you've moved recently or changed your phone number, make sure your most current information is reflected on your pet's ID tags and/or microchip. If worse comes to worst and your pet gets lost this holiday, people will have access to your up-to-date contact info if they come across your lost pet.
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02 of 05
Set Up a Quiet Space
While you may not be able to completely eliminate Fourth of July noise, it's important your pets have a quiet, secure haven they can retreat to if it gets a little too overstimulating. This is especially important if you are planning on hosting a get-together or are planning on setting off fireworks of your own. You can further enhance your pet's safe zone by blocking off windows and playing soothing white noise to muffle bright flashes and loud bangs.
03 of 05
Adjust Your Pet's Schedule
You may already be a morning person, but if not, consider being one this Independence Day. Tiring out your pet early in the day with plenty of exercise and play will help them better cope with after-dark surprises like fireworks. For indoor pets, exercise and play are just as important. The Fourth of July is a great excuse to break out the enrichment toys.
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04 of 05
Guard Your Grill
There's nothing better than a Fourth of July barbecue. Keep the focus on the fun by keeping your pets out of harm's way. While the grill may waft tempting smells toward their noses, it's not the safest area for your animals. Avoid an emergency vet visit by keeping the grill area blocked off and informing BBQ guests to not feed your pets table scraps, especially if they're served on a stick or bone.
05 of 05
Talk To Your Veterinarian
If you're worried about being able to manage your pet's Fourth of July anxiety, it may be worth giving your vet a call to talk about calming aid and sedative options.
“If your pet has a known fear of storms or fireworks, proper sedation can make the experience much less stressful for you and your pet," says Carly Fox, senior veterinarian in the emergency and critical care service at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. "Make sure to speak to your veterinarian prior to July 4, so that medication can be secured, and ideally, tested ahead of the holiday."
The idea of sedation may be scary to some pet owners, and to that, Fox adds that sedatives are usually a win-win.
"Sedatives are often very safe and effective and can make the holiday much more enjoyable for your pet and your family!" Fox says.
Reasons Why Your Cat Might Be Stressed
Enjoy Your Holiday
The Fourth of July doesn't have to be a day of doom and gloom for your pets. Proper preparation can do wonders for the peace of mind of the owner and pet alike!
