Fourth of July Festivities and Your Pet

It is that time of year again...Fireworks, fireworks and more fireworks! As we celebrate Independence Day, our pets not so much.

According to the ASPCA, “Even the most timid dog can leap a six-foot fence if he’s spooked by loud noises,” says Dr. Pamela Reid, Vice President of the ASPCA Animal Behavior Center. If your dog shows signs of distress from fireworks or boisterous revelers, Dr. Reid suggests giving him a Kong toy stuffed with peanut butter. “The consistent licking should calm his nerves,” she says. 

PAAH and the ASPCA recommend keeping your animals indoors as much as possible during backyard parties, picnics, and other Fourth of July festivities. Toxic food and beverages and fireworks are potential problem causing situations that can turn your holiday weekend into a disaster.

Here are a few of the recommendations the ASPCA offers:

• Keep your pet on the wagon. Since alcohol is potentially poisonous to pets, place all wine, beer and spirits well out of paws’ way.
• Avoid scraps from the grill. Stick with your pet’s normal diet—any change, even for a day, can result in stomach upset. Certain foods like onions, avocado, chocolate, grapes and raisins are especially toxic to pets.
• Avoid lathering your pet with any insect repellent or sunscreen not intended for the four-legged kind. Ingestion can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy.
• Stay fire-smart. Keep your pet away from fireworks, matches, citronella candles and lighter fluid, which if eaten can irritate the stomach, lungs and central nervous system.
• Be cool near the pool. Don’t leave pets unsupervised around a pool or lake—not all dogs are expert swimmers! Also, pools aren’t large water bowls—they contain chlorine and other toxic chemicals that can cause stomach problems.

If you suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous from the picnic table, please contact PAAH or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.