Fourth of July - Staying Safe!

Fourth of July means many things to us as Americans. Hot dogs, hamburgers, apple pie, and lemonade... parties, sparklers, fireworks and good friends... Where do your pets fit into this picture? Unfortunately, Independence Day is one of the most dangerous holidays of the year for pets. More animals are lost on this holiday than any other. There are ways for you to have a happy and safe Fourth however, and that is what we are going to focus on. Take a look at the following tips which will allow you and your pets to have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

1. Have a Pet Plan - Whether you are hosting a party at your house, or going to a friends, it is important for you to have a plan both for yourself and your pet. The safest and most secure solution to keeping your pet safe is to leave them home. While they may usually be a fun addition to the party, this probably isn't the best one to bring them to. The loud noises and bright flashing lights are often terrifying to pets and can make the most laid back animal bolt in fear.

Animals' Hospital Tip: To make sure that Fido and Mittens aren't overly stressed during fireworks time, prepare a calming oasis for them in your house. Choose a quiet room, preferably one without windows (some dogs have been known to break through them in panic) that leaves them some room to comfortably move around. Put their favorite bed, toys, and maybe a special treat down for them to focus their time and energy on. Turn on a radio or TV to help block out the loud noises. Lastly, don't allow your own worry to affect your pet. Animals pick up on our emotions; if you lock them in a room and you are feeling worried about them, they will pick up on that worry and it will translate into fear. By acting calm and reassuring, you will be translating to them that there is nothing to worry about. Don't forget to leave them water and make sure that the room will stay cool for them!

2. A tired pet is a happy pet - Spend the afternoon playing with your pet. For dogs, a nice long walk will tire them out and prepare them to be calm and relaxed throughout the night. Keep in mind that water is a big deal - keep them hydrated to prevent them from overheating!

3. Hot dogs for your dog? - While it can be very difficult to resist, try not to offer your pets tidbits of foods that they don't usually get. This can upset the delicate balance of their stomach which can cause diarrhea and vomiting. There are also some foods that are toxic to pets. Make sure to avoid the following: onions, raisins, grapes, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, avocado, macadamia nuts, yeast dough, and raw/undercooked meat. To see a complete list of dangerous foods, check out the ASPCA's website. 

If you think that your pet has eaten something poisonous, you should do one of two things.

    1. Call either the Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680 (There is a $39.00 fee) or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Hotline at (888) 426-4435 (There is a $65.00 fee). Either hotline will be able to give you in depth information on what you should do next.

    2. Contact a local emergency veterinarian for advice. The Animals' Hospital recommends two local emergency veterinarians: VSEC and CARES. 

Animals' Hospital Tip: Want to give your pet a special treat that is also a healthy one? Try this Independence Day inspired recipe that will sure to be a hit!

 4. SPF Safety - Remember that you aren't the only one affected by bugs and sun at your holiday parties. It is important to provide sun and bug protection for your pet, but make sure they are made specifically for animals. There are chemicals in human sprays that may be harmful to pets if they lick them off (which they are prone to do). Don't forget the flea and tick protection! 

5. Stay Alert - Make sure that all food, alcohol, and especially fireworks are out of reach for your pet. Not only can this lead to diarrhea and vomiting, chemicals in fireworks, sparklers, and other fun Fourth of July objects can be very harmful to your pet. Make sure to keep them in places that your pet can't reach. We don't want to see any emergency vet visits this holiday!

Animals' Hospital Tip - Just because it's on a table doesn't mean it's unreachable! Pets can jump, stand on their hind legs, and use chairs to reach things that they really want. Make sure that if it's not for them, it is truly in a place that they can't get to!

6. Pool Party Hazards - Not all pets are natural swimmers, and if your pet has no water experience, a busy holiday is not the best time for them to learn. Wait for a calmer, safer time to introduce your pet to the pool. If your pet is already a strong swimmer, you're not necessarily out of the woods! Too many people in the pool can make it hard to keep an eye on the pooch and you still need to make sure they they are swimming safely! In addition, harmful chemicals can cause upset tummies when ingested, so make sure that they aren't drinking the water.

7. Clean up - Remember that all good things come to an end and what goes up, must come down. Make sure that all festive decor that goes up, comes down and is away from prying eyes, ears, noses, and mouths! Make sure that no food scraps, decorations, or fireworks shells have landed in your yard where your pet can get hold of them. Even used fireworks still have harmful toxins on them, so make sure to clean up properly!

8. Proper ID can prevent headaches - We always recommend having your pet wear a collar with proper identification tags. However, on holidays like this, it is absolutely essential that there be a way for someone to identify your pet. A great place to make an inexpensive engraved tag is Walmart. For about $10-15 you can create a tag with your pet's name and your phone number. At the minimum, include a name and phone number, if you desire you can add your address. This is also a good time to check your pet's tags and make sure that the information is still correct. A tag is useless if the phone number on it is the home phone that you canceled four years ago. Another great option? Micro-chipping! For more information, call our hospital at 215-949-1010 or check out the Home Again website.

Here at The Animals' Hospital, we'd like to wish you all a happy and safe Fourth of July! If you have any questions, please call us at 215-949-1010 and please remember that we will be closed tomorrow, July 4th, 2012.

Happy Independence Day Everyone!