10 Warnings, Tips and Dangers for Pets 4th of July Fireworks

How to Look After Dog During Fireworks

You may have the urge to include your pet in the festivities, please don’t. You never know how they might react so keep them safe.
MORE PETS GET LOST ON JULY 4TH THAN ANY OTHER DAY OF THE YEAR!

How to keep your pet safe during fireworks.

PLEASE SHARE THESE TIPS WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY THEY CAN SAVE SOMEONE'S PETS THIS YEAR.

1. Keep pets indoors during fireworks with the windows closed and air conditioner running or a radio on to help mask out as much noise as possible.

The house becomes your pets' safety zone, so it's important to prepare it properly.
Keep some lights on. Keeping a light on will calm your pet and make him feel more secure, rather than being scared in a dark room.
Dampen the noise. Close the curtains in the room and, if your animal is a caged one, cover up the cage in a thick blanket, but make sure it is breathable so your animal doesn't suffocate. This will also help to stop the flashes of light affecting your pet.
Plan to use familiar sounds to drown out the noise of the fireworks. Music from a stereo or turning on the TV are likely familiar sounds that can sooth your pet. Just make sure not to play these sounds ridiculously loud as they can become bothersome themselves.
Classical music calms pets. Play the music loud enough to hear over the fireworks, but not to loud to bother the pet.

NEVER LEAVE YOUR PET IN A VEHICLE
Parking in the shade and leaving the windows open does not prevent the heat from rising. It is never OK to leave your pet in a parked car for any period of time when you’re running errands.

An important thing to note: Dogs and cats don’t sweat like humans do. Dogs cool off through the pads of their paws and by panting. Cats also cool off through the pads of their paws, through extra grooming, and in extreme cases, panting. The takeaway? It’s incredibly important to help you pets stay cool during the summer—especially because they can’t tell you when they’re feeling hot or sick.

2. Make sure your pet's ID tags are up to date and secure on their collar.

3. Take a current photo of your pet, just in case.

4. Exercise your dog early in the day before any fireworks or parties begin.

5. During parties and cookouts ask your guests NOT to feed your dog and to play with them away from flames. Instead have dog safe treats available for those who want to give your dog food.

6. Keep and store your fireworks, charcoal, sparklers and glow sticks far from where your dog can find them.

7. If your dog is afraid of loud noises leave the radio, TV or music on to cover the fireworks.

8. If a cookout or fireworks celebration has occurred close your home, be sure to do a yard check the next morning to make sure your pet isn’t injured by any leftover debris, unfamiliar objects, or food that was dropped that might be dangerous or poisonous to your dog.

9. Be aware of neighborhood pranksters, children and teenagers throwing firecrackers over your fence to frighten your pet.

10. If your pet gets especially stressed or your neighborhood is particularly noisy, you may wish to talk to your veterinarian about the practicality of using tranquilizers or homeopathic remedies such as rock rose, mimulus or rescue remedy. In severe cases, you might consider sending your pet to a nice quiet country boarding kennel for the worst of it.