Ways to keep your pet safe this 4th of July

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — With Independence Day approaching fast, pet owners are concerned about how to keep their animals safe.

For many dogs or other pets, the 4th of July festivities like fireworks and large crowds can be frightening. American Veterinary Medical Association says it is important to take precautions to keep your pets safe before, during, and after festivities.

Here are some ways they say you can prepare in advance:

• Make sure your pets such as cats and/or dogs have identification tags with the most up-to-date information on them.
• If your pets are not already microchipped, you might want to talk with your vet about microchipping as this can improve your chances of getting your pets back if they get lost.
• Take a current photo of all your pets.
• Suppose your pet has been anxious about this holiday in the past. In that case, you may want to consider behavioral therapy or medicine to desensitize your pet and reduce the risk of problems.
• Make sure the pet’s environment is safe and secure from any fireworks.

The American Veterinary Medical Association says the best place your pet on this holiday is at home. Loud fireworks, unfamiliar places, and crowds can all be very frightening to pets and there’s a risk of them becoming spooked and running away.

Here are some tips they outlined on keeping your pets at home:

• Consider putting your pets in a safe, escape-proof room or crate during parties and fireworks.
• If you’re having guests, ask them to help keep an eye on your pets to make sure they don’t escape.
• Keep your pets inside if you or a neighbor are setting off fireworks.
• Keep sparklers, glow sticks, fireworks, and charcoal 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.
• Remember that too much sun and heat can be dangerous to pets. Keep them inside when it’s extremely hot/humid outside.
• Never leave your pet in your car when it’s warm outside. Even a short time in a locked car can be dangerous to pets.
• If you’re traveling 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.

After the 4th of July celebrations, the American Veterinary Medical Association says to check your yard for fireworks debris before allowing pets outside. Even if you didn’t set off fireworks yourself, it can make its way into your yard.

You can find more information on how to keep your pets safe here.

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