Leave your pets at home when you go to
parties, fireworks displays, parades and other gatherings. Loud
fireworks, unfamiliar places and crowds can all be very frightening
to pets, and there’s great risk of pets becoming spooked and
running away.
Consider putting your pets in a safe, escape-proof
room or crate during parties and fireworks.
Keep horses and livestock in safely fenced
areas and as far from the excitement and noise as
possible.
If you’re hosting guests, ask them to help
keep an eye on your pets to make sure they don’t escape. Placing
notes on exit doors and gates can help both you and your guests
remain vigilant.
Keep your pets inside if you or your
neighbors are setting off fireworks.
Keep sparklers, glow sticks, fireworks,
charcoal and kabob
skewers away from curious pets.
Don’t let pets get near your barbecue
grill while it is in use or still hot.
Avoid the urge to feed your pets table
scraps or other foods intended for people. Be
especially careful to keep them away from these common
foods that are actually toxic.
Remember that too much sun and
heat (and humidity!) can be dangerous to pets. Keep
them inside when it’s extremely hot/humid; make sure they have
access to shady spots and plenty of water when outdoors; don’t
leave them outside for extended periods in hot weather; and know
the signs that a pet may be
overheating.
Never
leave your pet in your car when it’s warm outside. Vehicle
interiors heat up much faster than the air around them, and even a
short time in a locked car can be dangerous to pets.
f you’re travelling out of town for
the holiday, consider leaving your pets at home with a pet sitter
or boarding them in a kennel. If you need to bring them with you,
be sure you know how
to keep them safe.
Follow safe food handling and
hygiene practices to protect your family and guests.
After the celebrations:
Check your yard for fireworks debris
before allowing pets outside to play or relax. Even if you didn’t
set off fireworks yourself, debris can make its way into your yard,
where curious animals may pick it up to play with or eat.
Check your pastures and remove debris to
protect horses and livestock.
If you hosted guests, check both your yard and home
for food scraps or other debris that
might be dangerous to pets, such as food skewers.
Bark & Wag interviews Veterinarians and people in the pet industry from across the nation each week answering questions about your pet. Visit barknwag.com/podcast to ask questions and view past podcasts.