A fun-filled evening for many, the firework filed Fourth of July celebrations can be traumatic and dangerous for our four-legged friends.
As such, here are a few tips thanks to The Humane Society of The United States to help keep your pets relaxed and safe during the festivities.
Keep them protected
When possible, ensure your pets are kept indoors in an enclosed, quiet space to protect them from falling debris as well as the loud noises and bright flashes which can be traumatic. A quiet and relaxing room, perhaps with some music or your preferred streaming services to add some background noise is usually a safe bet, especially when teamed with a cozy bed.
Consider medication
If your pets are particularly stressed by the loud noises and flashes you may want to visit your local veterinarian to consider some calming medication.
Keep them cool
Something to keep in mind throughout this particularly hot summer is the danger of the heat. This can be identified by "heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure and unconsciousness." according to the Humane Society.
They also mention keeping in mind that dogs with underlying health conditions, who are either very old or young, overweight, or even specific short-muzzled breeds such as boxers, pugs, and shih tzus are particularly susceptible.
Make them identifiable
Not a thought that you will enjoy crossing your mind, but pets can literally look to escape the noise. If this is the case, you're better off safe than sorry by making sure they're identifiable by a collar tag and/or up-to-date microchip.
Consider pet friendly celebrations
Plenty of fun can still be had without the use of fireworks - thus ensuring your pets can be around the excitement! Drone displays, laser shows, or silent/quiet fireworks are all given as options by the Humane Society.
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