Pet Safety Prep and Tips: Fourth of July Fireworks
Don’t lose your pet this Fourth of July! So many pets go missing during this day and night of festivity and fireworks. The loud noises of fireworks leave so many animals confused about what’s happening and their instincts will cause them to bolt and look for safety. Sadly, as the fireworks continue happening, animals will constantly keep trying to run. Even when the fireworks are over, animals may feel dazed and frightened, and by then, they may not even know where they are. Here are some tips to keep your pets secure and safe during this time of the year.
Keep your pet indoors.
Even if your pet is an outdoor pet, it’s good caution to keep your pet indoors this day. No matter how high or sturdy your fence is, it may not be able to stop a frightened animal. Plus, having them indoors will allow them to be at least reassured by your presence. Try quarantining together in a room or even put your pet in a crate.
Use up energy.
If you have a large dog or just a high energy pet, take them out for an extra walk or have extra play time. The goal is to use up as much as your pet’s energy to tire them out. Once the festivities start, your pet may still get a rush of adrenaline to run and hide, but at least they’ll be slightly more tired out so that you can console them.
Distract and comfort.
Have your pet’s favorite toys around, play some calm music, or just talk to them. Muffle out as much of the outside noise by distracting your pet or giving them something else to focus their attention on. If you live with family members, enlist everyone to help each other. Your furry friend is going to need your extra care and attention this evening.
Microchip and update ID/tag information.
If your pet isn’t microchipped already, we strongly suggest you get them chipped. Don’t forget to register your microchip! Collars and tags can always break or be snagged off, so we recommend microchipping as an added precaution. Whether your pet is chipped or they wear collared tags, it’s important to make sure the contact information is up to date just in case they do get lost!
Talk to your neighbors.
Talk to your neighbors about their plans for July 4th. If they’re open to not using loud fireworks because you have a pet, that’s awesome! But if not, at least you’ll be prepared and get a sense of how loud that day and night may be. If possible, consider maybe staying overnight with a friend or relative whose neighborhood isn’t prone to celebrating with fireworks.
If you have any other advice, do share them so that other pet owners can learn more tips and advice on what to do (or not do) for their pets on this day.
You can click these links for additional resources:
ASPCA – Fourth of July Safety Tips
The Humane Society – Fireworks: Awesome for humans, terrifying for animals