Top Ten 4th of July Pet Safety Tips!

No July 4th celebration would be complete without fireworks, festivities, BBQs or beach days!  While we are enjoying and celebrating our freedom with loud noises, pyrotechnics, flashes and bangs, many times our pets feel the opposite way.  July 5th is reportedly the busiest day of the year for the American Humane Society.

In an effort to curb this statistic and help keep our furbabies a little less stressed and safer, here are the Top Ten 4th of July Pet Safety Tips!

10.  Keep your pets inside as much as possible.
  This might seem obvious, even if pets are used to lots of activity and loud noises.  However, a panicking pet might be inclined to run for safety or break restraint.
9.  Don't use insect repellant on pets that isn't pet specific.
  The same goes for sunscreen.  Some products for people are actually toxic for pets, so err on the side of safety and only use recommended pet specific products.
8.  Alcoholic drinks are actually poisonous to pets,
  Fermented hops and ethanol is toxic to dogs and cats and can cause respiratory failure, coma and death.
7.  Going to a Fireworks Display?  Leave your pets at home.
  Not only may the fireworks upset your pet, but you never know who is in the crowd and could be allergic, or who may have brought their own pet who isn't as nice to others as yours is!
6.  Have your pet properly identified.
  Whether that's with a tag on their collar, a microchip, or a sign that says, "Please return to..."  Make it easier for them to get back home.
5.  Glow toys and glow jewelry is not man's best friend's best friend.
  If ingested, gastrointestinal irritation, excessive drooling and blockages can occur.  They're easier to look at on the outside than the inside, if you catch my drift!
4.  NEVER use fireworks near pets!
  Not only can the pet possibly be burned, but fireworks contain toxic materials such as potassium, nitrate, and other heavy metals.
3.  Don't encourage feeding "table food" to your pet.
  While you may know what they're eating, other people may follow suit and unknowingly give your pet something bad like chocolate or beer!
2.  Lighter Fluid and Matches are harmful to pets
  Skin irritation could lead to licking which can lead to ingestion and even kidney disease!
1.  Citronella Insect Repellant is also harmful to pets.
  The result from inhalation can cause pneumonia and eventually death if the pet is in close proximity of the repellant.

Make it a safe and fun holiday, and keep your pet safe with these tips this 4th of July!