July Fourth is all about food, fireworks, and family gatherings, but the patriotic celebration can pose dangers for your four-legged friend. To ensure you and your pet have an enjoyable Independence Day, our Heartland Veterinary Hospital team offers six safety tips.

1: Provide appropriate identification for your pet

Loud fireworks noises and stress from gatherings at your house can make pets run away, and many cats and dogs go missing during July Fourth festivities. Ensure your pet has proper identification (ID) to improve your chances of being reunited with them if they get lost. Tips include:

  • Collar and tags — Ensure your pet always wears a well-fitted collar with ID tags that have your current contact information, and ensure the tags are legible.
  • Microchip — In addition to a collar and tags, have your pet microchipped to provide them with a permanent ID that can’t be lost or removed. Remember to keep your contact information updated in the microchip database.
  • Pictures — Ensure you have a current photo of your pet so you can post their picture in the neighborhood if they go missing.

2: Create a pet safe zone

Indoors is the safest place for your pet, especially during the fireworks show, and creating a pet safety area provides a place where they can feel calm and secure. Considerations include:

  • Cozy factor — Ensure the area is somewhere your pet feels comfortable, such as your bedroom or their crate, and place their bed and your recently worn clothing, such as a T-shirt, in the space to help them feel secure. 
  • Distraction — Give your pet a favorite toy or a food puzzle to distract them while they are in their safe zone.
  • Masking noise — Play white noise or soft music to mask outside noises. 

3: Keep your pet leashed

If your pet is a social butterfly and refuses to be left behind when you attend a July Fourth gathering, ensure you keep them leashed at all times. This helps prevent them from running away and getting into trouble. 

4: Protect your pet from July Fourth party food

July Fourth wouldn’t be the same without patriotic party food, but these offerings can be dangerous for pets. High-fat foods can lead to gastrointestinal (GI) upset or pancreatitis, and some foods, such as grapes, xylitol-containing baked goods and candies, onions, and chocolate, are toxic to pets. To protect your pet from a July Fourth party food mishap, follow these tips:

  • Feed your pet — Feed your pet before the party so they aren’t ravenously hungry.
  • Block access to the kitchen — Crate your pet or use baby gates to block their access to the kitchen while you are preparing the July Fourth feast.
  • Remind your guests — Ask your guests to refrain from giving your pet table scraps regardless of how much they beg.
  • Secure garbage — Keep your trash in sealed containers so your pet can’t search for off-limit items.
  • Tidy up — Discard set-aside cups and plates as soon as possible so your pet doesn’t help with cleanup.

5: Prevent your pet from overheating

July in Kentucky can get pretty hot, and pets are especially susceptible to heatstroke since they don’t have an efficient means to cool themselves. Flat-faced—brachycephalic—breeds, such as French bulldogs, pugs, and boxers, are especially at risk. To protect your four-legged friend from overheating, follow these tips:

  • Leave your pet at home — Many pets would prefer to stay inside their air-conditioned safe space rather than venture into the hot, humid July weather.
  • Provide water — If your pet is determined to be part of the festivities, pack water and a portable water bowl, and offer them a drink frequently.
  • Ensure your pet takes breaks — Your pet may get so excited about the party atmosphere that they overexert themselves. Ensure your four-legged friend takes frequent breaks in the shade so they have time to cool down.
  • Never leave your pet in a vehicle — A parked, unattended vehicle is never a safe place for a pet. Parking in the shade and leaving the window cracked does not keep temperatures from rising to dangerous levels within the vehicle. 
  • Watch for signs — Watch your pet for signs, such as lethargy, excessive panting, thick, ropy drool, and red mucous membranes, which indicate they are overheated.

If your pet overheats, move them to a cool, well-ventilated area and offer them water. Pour cool water over their body to start the cooling process. Seek veterinary care if their temperature is higher than 104 degrees because heatstroke is a life-threatening condition. 

6: Ask for veterinary help

Many pets have panic-level reactions to noises, such as fireworks, and noise phobias can lead to severe emotional distress and possibly injury if your pet attempts to escape. If your pet has a noise phobia associated with fireworks, seek advice from our Heartland Veterinary Hospital team. We can prescribe anti-anxiety medications or sedatives to help your pet better enjoy their July Fourth experience. 

If your pet has a noise phobia or you want to have them microchipped before Independence Day, contact our Heartland Veterinary Hospital team to schedule an appointment.