Keep Your Dog Stress-Free This Fourth Of July!

Everyone loves Fourth of July! There are fireworks, barbecues, friends, and lots of fun but it is easy to forget that it can cause stress for your pup at home! Don’t worry, we have some tips to help. 

1- Leave your dog at home for the firework display. It can get overwhelming and they may get lost in the crowd.

2- If your dog is scared of fireworks, you can play the TV or music to distract them. Pro tip: take your dog out for a walk earlier in the day to tire her out.

3- Be sure to properly identify your dog and be sure their microchip information is up to date. It doesn’t hurt to make sure to have up to date pictures of your dog in case you have to put up signs if they get lost.

4- Use pet safe bug spray. Citronella is dangerous to dogs and can cause pneumonia and other nervous system problems.

5- Keep the glow jewelry away from your dog! The dog may chew it up, choking on the plastic or ingesting the potentially harmful substance inside causing gastrointestinal issues.

6- Avoid firework use around pets. Fireworks contain arsenic, potassium nitrate, and other materials that are toxic for dogs. They can also cause potential burns.

7- “Human food” can be harmful to your pet. Foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, salt, and beer are hazardous for dogs.

8- Lighter Fluid and Matches Are Harmful to Pets. Matches contain a chemical substance called chlorate that can cause difficulty breathing, kidney disease, and damaged blood cells in dogs when ingested according to the ASPCA. Lighter fluid can cause skin, gastric, and respiratory problems in dogs.

9- Check your yard for firework remnants before letting the dog out the next morning. Stray firework remnants from the night before may find their way into your yard and your curious dog may try to eat them. Be sure to check that there are no fireworks left - fireworks are toxic to dogs.

10- Be sure the kitchen is free from harmful things like leftover skewers, knives, etc...

Remember that although the Fourth of July festivities can be fun for you it can be scary for your furry friends! Be sure to follow these steps to take some of the stress off of your best friend so you can enjoy your holiday! 

Have a Spetacular™ 4th of July!