Keep your pet safe of 4th of July

1. Keep Your Pet Indoors

It’s best to keep pets inside during July Fourth celebrations.

For one, dogs don’t sweat to cool themselves the way we humans do, making them much more susceptible to overheating. Many dogs are also overwhelmed or overly excited by a large gathering of people, and some people aren’t comfortable or confident interacting with dogs.

Keeping your dog in the house is a great first step, but it’s more ideal to have your pet behind a barrier when there are people coming in and out of the house. This helps ensure your pet doesn’t have the opportunity to dart outside and get loose. It's not uncommon for dogs who get spooked to use their natural instincts and run away, especially if they are scared of loud noises.

You can use either a dog crate to keep your pup safe and comfortable, or ensure they are behind a closed door, pet gate, or pen within the house

2. Create a Safe Space for Your Pet

Consider how the excitement of the day may affect your pet. For cats and dogs more sensitive to noise, a room that has the least exposure to the outdoors and the best sound dampening would likely be most comfortable for them.

The bathroom or laundry room are good places to keep your pup, as these locations often don’t have windows and may be less-noisy retreats.

They will appreciate a cozy bed or a familiar place for them to lounge, enrichment toys, and fresh water in their bowl.

3. Prepare for Noise Phobias

If your pet has shown fear, anxiety, or stress with sudden loud noises in the past, it is best to start making arrangements for them a few weeks before the Fourth of July.

This includes discussing their sensitivity with your vet and planning for the holiday.

Environmental modifications

Pheromone diffuser, such as Adaptil or Feliway
Anxiety vests, such as a ThunderShirt
Practicing desensitization and counter conditioning to firework sounds leading up to the holiday can also help reduce fear. Pets who are anxious typically should not be left alone, so hiring a pet sitter or making plans to stay with your pet during fireworks is also important.
Even when taking all precautions, accidents can still happen.
It’s important to make sure your pet can be easily identified and returned to you if they do get loose. Having your pet wear a collar with up-to-date contact information can make their prompt return more likely.

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