The Fourth of July is a time for celebration, with fireworks lighting up the night sky and barbecues sizzling on the patio. But for our beloved pets, the holiday can be a stressful and dangerous experience. Loud noises, unfamiliar crowds, and strange smells can send them into a frenzy. Today, we’re sharing some essential safety tips that will help keep Shoreline pets safe this Fourth of July.
Keep Shoreline Pets Safe This Fourth of July: Preparation
In the days leading up to Independence Day, take the following simple steps to prepare for the upcoming holiday. These small safeguards will improve your pet’s chances of easing through one of the noisiest holidays of the year.
- Microchip and ID tag: Make sure your pet is microchipped and has a well-fitting collar with an updated ID tag. This is crucial if your pet gets spooked and escapes. Ensure your microchip registration is accurate. Often, they are registered to the vet or rescue that inserted it.
- Register Your Pet: Shoreline pets should be registered annually. Read our blog on dog licenses to learn more.
- Check vaccinations: Check that your pet’s vaccinations are current, especially rabies. If not, make an appointment and avoid taking your pet out until their vaccines are up-to-date.
- Create a pet haven: Designate a quiet room inside your house as a haven for your pet. Ideally, it should be away from windows and doors to minimize noise. Provide comfortable bedding, familiar toys, and food and water bowls to keep them satiated and hydrated.
Keep Shoreline Pets Safe This Fourth of July: The big day
Your pet doesn’t know that it’s Independence Day. They may notice that you’re off on a day you’re not usually home and will, however, take notice if you leave or have guests over. Because they don’t know what’s happening, it’s up to you to plan a day that everyone can enjoy.
- Mind the loud noises: Fireworks are terrifying for many pets. If fireworks displays are common in your area, keep your pet indoors during the peak celebration times. Close windows and curtains to muffle the noise and put on calming music or white noise to further mask the sounds.
- Check outside temps: Few things can ruin a holiday more than a trip to the vet. Keep your pets indoors and safe from heatstroke, especially on July 4th.
- Nix the sparklers and glow sticks: These items might seem harmless, but pets can easily get burned or stressed by their use. Keep them out of reach of your furry friends’ mouths as they can be toxic and avoid them altogether if your pet suffers from a respiratory condition.
- Beware of BBQ hazards: Food scraps and leftover bones can be dangerous for pets. Dispose of trash properly and observe your pet around the grill and dining area. Certain human treats like alcoholic beverages, coffee, onions, grapes, and chocolate are toxic to pets, so be vigilant.
- Skip the fireworks show: Even if your pet seems okay with loud noises at home, taking them to a crowded fireworks display is a recipe for disaster. The unfamiliar environment and unpredictable behavior of crowds can lead to anxiety and the risk of escape. Just say no to outings on July 4th!
- Stay home with your pet: If your pet has a history of dangerous or damaging behavior, please stay home with them. They will be much more comfortable in your presence than without it. It’s cruel to leave your pet alone with their fear while you celebrate. Plus, they could become a danger to themselves if unsupervised for long periods of time.
Keep Shoreline Pets Safe This Fourth of July: More to consider
When planning your celebrations, consider the following layers of prevention and protection for your pet’s benefit:
- Set Expectations: If you’re hosting friends or family this year, set expectations early. Inform them that your pet will be confined to a safe space and should not be disturbed. Also, let them know that you or a family member will take a pause from hosting to check on your pet periodically.
- Avoid Unfamiliar People, Pets & Kids: Pets should remain in their haven around unfamiliar, people, pets, and kids. It’s better to manage and separate than risk a fear-related incident or injury (aka fear-related bite.)
- Exercise: A good walk or playtime early in the morning on the Fourth of July can make your dog more relaxed during the fireworks. Because fireworks may be going off throughout the week, avoid taking your adventure cat out unless absolutely necessary.
- Consider a calming aid: Talk to your veterinarian about calming treats or medication for pets with severe anxiety. There are plenty of supplements and pharmaceuticals on the market; with time, you may be able to find one that makes navigating noisy holidays way easier.
- Be patient and understanding: Some pets will still be scared despite our best efforts. Remain calm and reassuring, and never punish them for their reactions. They will follow your lead!
Keep Shoreline Pets Safe This Fourth of July: safety first
These safety tips aren’t just for the Fourth of July! Loud noises like thunderstorms or construction work can also frighten pets. Use the preparation steps outlined above for other potentially stressful situations throughout the year.
At Shoreline Happy Paws, we follow these simple tips to ensure the pets in our care have a safe and happy Fourth of July. A little planning goes a long way in keeping your pets calm and stress-free and we take our role in keeping pets at ease very seriously.
New Shoreline Happy Paws clients can create an account. We will be in touch to further discuss your needs and set you, your family, and your pet(s) up for success. Existing clients may book dog walking, dog hiking, or pet sitting services by logging in to your client profile.
Shoreline Happy Paws serves the following areas of the Connecticut Shoreline:
- Old Saybrook
- Essex, Ivoryton & Centerbrook
- Deep River
- Chester
- Westbrook
- Clinton
- Old Lyme
- East Lyme
- Niantic
Certain Parts and Certain Service Hours in:
- Lyme and Madison
- Waterford, New London, Groton
- Uncasville, Gales Ferry, Mystic, Noank
