Did you know that more pets are reported missing on July 5th than any other day of the year? It’s because with all the bright sights and loud sounds of our Independence Day celebrations, it’s so easy for our furry friends to become spooked and take off running.
So what can you do to prevent your pet from becoming a statistic on the Fourth of July? Here are just a few tips that will help keep your dog or cat safe as you celebrate the holiday:
- Start by keeping your pet indoors for 2 or 3 days before 4th holiday since some people may begin their celebrations early.
- Make sure your pet is wearing an ID tag with up-to-date contact information for you, including the pet’s name, your telephone number, and address, which is especially important if you are traveling.
- Take a new photo of your pet before your holiday celebrations begin. If he goes missing, you want a current photo to help locate him.
- When your pet is in the home while your outdoor festivities are taking place, leave a TV or radio on to drown out the sounds coming from outside.
Another danger that our pets face is becoming injured or sick as a result of our holiday celebrations. But with just a little planning and a little common sense, most accidents can be avoided and pets can be kept from harm. Here are a few ideas:
- If your pet is outdoors with you, keep her safely away from the grill and any open flames. Ask a friend or family member to play with her away from the cooking area while you prepare the food.
- Keep citronella candles and other insect repellents away from your pet. These can be toxic.
- Speaking of toxic, keep your pet away from alcohol. It can be deadly, even in small amounts.
- Ask guests not to feed your pet. It’s important for your pet to maintain her usual diet to avoid tummy upset or accidentally ingesting something that isn’t good for her.
- Supervise your pet around children, and by all means if the pet begins to show signs of stress and nervousness from so much activity, put her indoors in a nice, quiet area.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to keep your pet safe as you enjoy the holiday this week. Can you think of other ways to keep pets safe as we celebrate our nation’s independence?
Ann Staub says
July 2, 2014 at 1:33 pmI have to keep Shiner indoors for fireworks, not because she will run away which is great, but she tries to bite them! I guess she’s not really scared of them lol… but she still doesn’t like them. Great tips!
Christina Berry says
July 2, 2014 at 2:40 pmHaha, has she always been that way, Ann? What a blessing that she isn’t afraid of them – Nike is terrified. We’ll be gone 4th of July evening/night. and I’m already fretting about how scared she’ll be at home alone. :/
Lin says
July 3, 2014 at 3:18 pmThese are such great tips! I especially like the one where you take a photo of your dog before the festivities, just in case.
Christina Berry says
July 10, 2014 at 9:51 amThanks Lin. Most of take lots of photos of our pets anyway, but I highly recommend taking a new one at least every month. That way, you’ve always got a recent photo on hand should you need it.
Kristina Spaulding says
July 10, 2014 at 9:11 amVery nice set of tips! I saw these all over the place and your post had a lot of tips not included elsewhere.
Christina Berry says
July 10, 2014 at 9:51 amThanks Kristina! Much appreciated!