Keeping Your Pets Safe for 4th of July Celebrations

How will 4th of July Celebrations be different in 2020 with COVID-19?

Many people have been debating what kind of events to participate in on the 4th of July during this pandemic. Although restrictions are beginning to loosen up, COVID-19 daily cases are on the rise in America and having an extravagant celebration may be too dangerous. Likely, some fireworks and a small backyard get-together will be the norm for most people, with precautions taken to protect ourselves against the virus. However, pet parents may need to take extra measures to help protect their pets, and not just from COVID-19.

Even with pandemic-sized, smaller and less rowdy celebrations, pets are still at risk during July 4th. Due to the loud fireworks, more pets go missing around Independence Day than any other time of the year. However, there are ways to protect your dog or cat before, during, and after the 4th of July Independence Day to make sure they have a great time too.

Prepare ahead of time to make sure your pet is safe 

With just a few precautions done before hand everyone can enjoy the 4th of July in peace. In fact, it will be pretty easy to avoid the stress and hassle of having an anxious pet or to prevent looking for a lost pet if you start preparing before the party. The two main ways to prevent a runaway dog or cat during Independence Day are to get all your pet's information up-to-date, and make sure your yard is enclosed and safe.

Keep your pet secure: 

• Update your pet's tags with complete and correct contact information
• Check your pet's collar for wear and tear, and buy them a new one if you think it may break soon (better safe than sorry)
• Get your pet microchipped if possible - while not necessary, this is one of the most effective ways for others to find your pet if they go missing
• TAKE A GOOD-QUALITY PHOTO OF YOUR PET - this is something pet owners may not think of, but it is incredibly useful for helping others know what your pet looks like if they are found

Keep your yard secure:

• Look for gaps in the fence, and either replace it or board it up with a sturdy material - your pet can likely chew or claw through cardboard if they get scared
• Check for any holes near the edge of the yard and fill them in
• If your fence is short, you may want to replace it with something taller, as adrenaline in scared dogs and cats helps them jump higher than usual
• If you are planning to let your pet out into your backyard and you've recently planted some new plants, you may want to make sure that these plants are not toxic to dogs or cats, and get rid of any that are harmful

CARE FOR YOUR PET DURING INDEPENDENCE DAY

Just because you've prepared for your Independence Day celebration doesn't mean you shouldn't do what you can to keep your pet safe and calm during the event. There are a few things you can do just before or throughout your party to protect your pet:

• Take your pet on a long walk or have a long play session to tire them out before the party - they may be tired enough to sleep through any fireworks, or at least not be startled by them
• Set out a crate, hideout, or other areas in your house as a safe place for your pet, make sure they feel comfortable being in it, and put them in it before the fireworks start
• If your pet is in the house or in their safe place, yet the fireworks still startle them, put on the TV or radio to muffle the noise and close the blinds or curtains to block any flashes of light

• Take your pet on a long walk or have a long play session to tire them out before the party - they may be tired enough to sleep through any fireworks, or at least not be startled by them
• Set out a crate, hideout, or other areas in your house as a safe place for your pet, make sure they feel comfortable being in it, and put them in it before the fireworks start
• If your pet is in the house or in their safe place, yet the fireworks still startle them, put on the TV or radio to muffle the noise and close the blinds or curtains to block any flashes of light
• If your pet is comfortable outside while fireworks are going off, have them on a leash if possible - some dogs have been known to chase fireworks and can get burned. Leashing your dog and cat also helps prevent runaways
• Make sure you and any guests don't leave alcohol, lighter fluid/matches, citronella, or glow-in-the-dark sticks where your pet can reach them
• Keep your pet away from a hot BBQ or any open flames, and also watch that Fido doesn't grab that sizzling steak, hamburger or hot dogs right from the grill. Also, watch that any non-pet friendly food does not get within easy reach of your pet

Additionally, if your dog or cat still gets scared or nervous around fireworks, large parties or loud noises, have a calming remedy on hand to help soothe them. We recommend our Pet Relax all-natural calming spray, made with five flower essences, that will relieve your pet's anxiety within minutes. Pet Relax will help your pet calm down without putting them straight to sleep, unlike other calming remedies: all you have to do is simply spray it on your pet's bed or rub it into their fur.

PET SAFETY AFTER INDEPENDENCE DAY

Ensuring safety for your pet during Independence Day doesn't stop at sundown. After a good party, many people want to rest or move on to the next day, but there are a few things you need to do first. 

• Thoroughly comb your yard for any debris that may pose a danger to your pet, including spent fireworks, ashes, and food remains, and throw them out before you let your pet outside again
• When going on walks with your pet shortly after Independence Day, be wary for any debris left on the ground, and pick it up before your pet finds it
• If you notice your pet is missing, DON'T HESITATE to start looking - the sooner you begin searching, the more likely you are to find them and return them home safe and sound

Everyone wants to have a good time and celebrate the 4th of July with family and friends, including your fur baby, and the best way to make sure that the celebration goes off well is to keep your pets safe and secure. Following the tips above will insure your dog or cat will enjoy Independence Day as much as you do.

From our team at BestLife4Pets, we wish you and your pets a safe and happy July 4th!

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