Fireworks and barbecue grills are only two of the many hazards Independence Day festivities pose for pets. To ensure a safe and happy holiday for your dog or cat, it’s wise to recall Murphy’s Law. “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong, and at the worst possible time.”

With that in mind, you should prepare a contingency plan for any possible emergency.

However, should something go awry despite your best efforts, our Palm City Animal Medical Center team is here to help. We are equipped and trained to handle virtually any pet emergency during regular business hours and we are on-call after hours.

Here are eight tips for keeping your dog or cat safe and serene on the Fourth:

  1. Up-to-date identification — The weeks leading up to the big day are a good time to ensure that your pet is identified with your current contact information. If your furry friend is microchipped, confirm that your data in the microchip registry is up-to-date. If you need to microchip your pet, now is a good time. You may need to invest in a new ID tag that can be attached securely to their collar, too. If you don’t have a recent photo of your cat or dog that shows their distinguishing features, take a few, and keep them handy in case your pet wanders off during the celebration.
  2. Solutions for nervous pets — Ask us for suggestions to reduce your pet’s stress when guests arrive for a barbecue or the fireworks start exploding. Medication is available, as well as calming coats, anxiety vests, and pheromone diffusers and sprays. 
  3. Heat precautions — It’s easy to focus on the danger of fireworks and forget about the hazards of summer heat, humidity, and sunshine. If you’re out with your pet at a park earlier, before the celebrations begin, keep your dog or cat in the shade as much as possible. Keep plenty of cool drinking water available, plus some extra so you can soak a towel to wrap around them if you notice heatstroke signs, such as excessive panting, drooling, or agitation.
  4. Safe spaces — If you plan to host a party, set aside a safe space for your pet ahead of time. A quiet room with soft music and your pet’s favorite bedding and toys is ideal. Once your dog or cat is secure inside, post a sign on the door to let people know not to enter.
  5. Party animals — You may have a dog or cat who loves people and revels in being the life of the party. If that’s the case, keep your four-legged pal away from sparklers, glow sticks, tiki torches, and candles. Don’t let them near your hot barbecue grill, and ask your guests not to feed them scraps of people food, which could cause gastrointestinal (GI) issues. Feed your pet their regular food ahead of time so they have a full stomach. 
  6. No adult beverages or food — Alcoholic drinks, tobacco, and cannabis can poison pets. Keep them way out of reach of doggy paws and kitty jaws. 
  7. No fireworks — Your pet who seems fearless in most situations may freak out at the sounds and sights of fireworks, so don’t take any chances. If you’re going out to watch the fireworks, leave your dog or cat at home. If you’re hosting your own fireworks show, keep your pet in their safe room during and after the display, until you have cleaned up all the debris. 
  8. Travel tips — If you’re going out of town for the holiday, your best bet is to board your cat or dog at a facility that you know is secure, with a caring team who supervises your pet closely and provides plenty of playtime, and keeps a veterinarian on call. Second best is to leave your pet at home in the care of a live-in pet sitter. Asking a friend to look in on your pet a couple of times a day can be OK, but that means your pet is alone for many long hours, and also presents the chance of escape each time the pet sitter opens the door.

If you still have questions about keeping your pet safe during holiday celebrations, contact us at our AAHA-accredited Palm City Animal Medical Center. We want you and your pet to enjoy the holiday together.