The 4th of July is a fun summer holiday for us humans, but with all the loud noises and bright flashing lights, it can be a little scary for pets. Both of my dogs are terrified by the sound of fireworks (and thunder), so Independence Day is definitely not their favorite day of the year.
If you want to make the holiday fun and enjoyable for your dog and yourself, consider these 8 ways to celebrate the 4th of July with your dog.
8 Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July With Your Dog
- Dress your dog up for the occasion. A patriotic bandana, collar and leash, or even a t-shirt is a cute way to get your dog in a festive holiday mood.
- Make some frozen dog treats. These recipes from our friends at Kol’s Notes are super easy to make and on a hot July day, your dog will love a cool treat! If you’re looking for an awesome homemade treat for you, check out this delicious banana and chocolate chip no churn ice cream!
- Play some games. Most likely the weather will be beautiful, so get outside during the day for a fun game of fetch or frisbee with your dog.
- If all those games make you hot and sweaty, take your dog for a swim. Remember, not all dogs can swim so please don’t leave your mutt unattended in the water. Be sure to check out these water safety tips for dogs!
- Plan a dog-friendly bbq or picnic. We love getting together with friends and relatives on the 4th, and our dogs love to be included. We’ll be grilling lots of great food for our people guests, and Nike and Georgie just might be lucky enough to get a hot dog. But take care to keep your dog out of people foods that might not be good for her.
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- At dusk, break out the sparklers! My dogs love to look at the sparklers, and these “fireworks” don’t scare them a bit. But always take care to keep dogs away from the actual flame, and remember, your dog may not be a fan and that’s okay.
- Get indoors with your dog before the big fireworks show starts. Cuddle up on the couch to watch a movie and eat popcorn to keep your mutt occupied during all the noise. Consider a Thunder Shirt for dogs that are especially nervous.
- When it’s all said and done, kick back and relax and reward yourself with a fun patriotic cocktail. Get the recipe at the end of this post!
Although it might be tempting to take your dog to a fireworks display at a local park or even a friend’s house, I strongly advise against it. More pets go missing on July 4th than any other day of the year, so it’s up to pet parents to do all they can to protect their furry babies. Check out these tips to learn the best ways to keep your dog safe.
Ah yes, and now for that cocktail recipe!
After a busy day of hanging out with friends and dogs, you’ll probably be ready to kick back and relax, and this Stars & Stripes cocktail is a great way to do it. Mix it up, pour it into a high ball glass from Wayfair, and enjoy! After all, they say the 4th of July marks the mid-point of summer, so you’d be wise to savor every single minute of it.
Click here to find this on Wayfair.com
- 2 oz. Hypnotiq
- 1 oz. Citrus Vodka
- Lemon lime soda
- Grenadine
- Combine the Hypnotiq and Citrus Vodka with a splash of soda.
- Shake with ice and strain into a highball glass.
- Add in a small amount of Grenadine. This should fall to the bottom of the glass to create a patriotic layered effect.
- Add a dollop of whipped cream on top.
- Garnish with shaved coconut or white chocolate a festive touch.
- Please drink responsibly! Your dog needs you!
How will you be celebrating the 4th of July with your dog?
I’d love to hear all about it in a comment below, and feel free to stop by my Facebook page and share your photos there!
Thank you to Wayfair for sponsoring this post. Although I was compensated, all opinions are my own and I only promote items I truly love and believe will be beneficial to my readers.
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