July 4th Pet Safety Precautions

The Fourth of July is a time of celebrations with family and friends, often ending with a beautiful and thrilling extravaganza of fireworks. However, for many pets it is a nightmare.  Pets' senses are different from people and the loud and unpredictable sounds and lights can cause your pet great anxiety. 

To keep your pet calm during the July 4th celebration consider the following tips:

• Keep your pet inside the house as far away from the source as possible
• Background sounds can help sooth the animal...play tv, music etc.
• If you know your pet is sensitive, prescription medications or holistic supplements such as Psystabil, which is a gentle calming formula, helps dogs and cats reduce anxiety.
• Make sure your pet has identification; including an ID tag and microchip (with up to date information).  American Humane Association reports that July 5 is one of the busiest day of the year for animal shelters due to animals panicking and getting lost. 

Fireworks are not the only danger for your pets during  Independence day. Here are a few other pet safety precautions: 

• Make sure your pet is in a cool place with plenty of water. In many places the 4th of July can be an extremely hot time of year.
• If you are planning a large celebration, consider keeping your pet in another location within your home.  Strangers and crowds can be stressful to your dog or cat, which can lead to aggressive behavior.
• Keep your pet from consuming people food and drinks.  They can cause gastrointestinal problems for your pet.