July Fourth is a favorite summer holiday, but the festivities can be dangerous for your pet, so before you plan your cookout and break out the sparklers, take steps to safeguard your four-legged friend. Our Cane Bay Veterinary Clinic team provides helpful July Fourth pet safety guidelines to help you avoid a veterinary visit during your patriotic celebration.

Provide a patriotic pet collar

Pets can be patriotic too, and fitting your four-legged friend with a red, white, and blue collar is a great start. Ensure they also have identification tags with your current contact information so they can be returned to you if they make an escape during the July Fourth commotion. To help increase your chances of a happy reunion, also ensure your pet is microchipped. This simple procedure can easily be done at their next wellness visit, and having a microchip provides permanent identification that can’t be lost or removed. Ensure you keep your contact information updated in the microchip registry so you can easily be contacted if your pet is found.

Create a patriotic pet sanctuary

While parties, festive music, and fireworks shows are fun for people, they can cause fear and stress for pets. Even if your pet is sociable, they may get overwhelmed at a large gathering. Create a quiet sanctuary to which your pet can retreat if they need some downtime. This can be a spare bedroom, a walk-in closet, or your pet’s crate covered with blankets. Ensure they have all the resources, such as water, toys, and treats, they need, and provide a food-puzzle toy to help them stay occupied. You can also leave music or white noise playing to help mask the party noises. If your pet is prone to stress, consider confining them to their sanctuary during the celebration.

Offer patriotic pet-safe treats

July Fourth wouldn’t be complete without delectable dishes, but many foods are dangerous for pets. Chicken wings and ribs contain bones that can injure your pet’s mouth or cause a foreign body gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction, fatty foods can trigger GI upset or a serious pancreatitis flare, and foods, such as alcohol, xylitol-containing baked goods, chocolate, grapes, and onions, are toxic to pets. To prevent your pet from having a food-related veterinary emergency, follow these tips:

  • Feed your pet before the party and provide patriotic pet-safe treats so your four-legged friend isn’t left out of the feast.
  • Inform your guests that your pet isn’t allowed to eat human food.
  • Keep trash in sealed containers to prevent dumpster diving.
  • Keep your pet leashed to better monitor their activity.
  • Pick up discarded plates and cups as soon as possible so your pet doesn’t help with cleanup.

Keep your patriotic pet cool

July in South Carolina can be hot and sticky, putting your pet at risk for heatstroke. To help prevent your pet from developing this potentially life-threatening condition, follow these tips:

  • Know the signs — Initial overheating signs include lethargy and excessive panting and drool. As the condition worsens, signs may include vomiting, diarrhea, red mucous membranes, abnormal bruising or bleeding, and collapse.
  • Never leave your pet in the car — Never leave your pet in an unattended car. Temperatures can quickly escalate to dangerous levels, and cracking a window or parking in the shade does not lessen your pet’s risk.
  • Offer water — Ensure your pet has access to clean, fresh water at all times. When on outings, pack water and a collapsible bowl, and frequently offer your pet a drink.
  • Take breaks — Pets can get excited when at July Fourth gatherings, and they may overexert themselves. Ensure your pet takes breaks in a shady, well-ventilated area to cool down.

Prevent your patriotic pet from becoming stressed

If your pet reacts with fear or excessive stress during fireworks shows or other loud situations, they may benefit from a calming supplement, anti-anxiety medication, or sedative. Contact our Cane Bay Veterinary Clinic team so we can determine the most effective way to address your pet’s July Fourth-associated stress.

Our Cane Bay Veterinary Clinic team wishes you a happy July Fourth! Contact us to schedule your pet’s microchip appointment or to discuss ways to help ease their July Fourth-associated stress.