The Fourth of July is a festive holiday filled with activities for the entire household to enjoy. Unfortunately, in all of this commotion, pets can get overlooked. This creates situations where they can become too overwhelmed or can get into an accident. To keep anything harmful from happening to your cat or dog this celebration, follow the veterinarian recommended list of dos and don’ts.

Do:

Keep citronella candles and oil out of your pet’s reach.

Citronella candles and oil are great for burning when mosquitoes and other annoying insects are flying about. The Citronella grass in these products releases an unpleasant scent to these bugs. However, whenever using these items, be sure only to have them lit in your presence, so your cat or dog cannot accidentally get burned, eat the wax or oil, or inhale too much of the smoke.  

Be aware of your pets anxiety

Some pets can be very anxious or frightened by loud noises, including fireworks.  A few good tips to help relieve that anxiety include providing a nice quiet place within the home where your pet will feel comfortable.  Using a reassuring device such as Thunder Shirt can also be very helpful.  Some pets will also respond well to hormonal therapy such as Feliway or DAP.  If your pets anxiety is not helped by any of these then a mild anti-anxiety medication can be of benefit.  Please feel free to discuss any of these options with the veterinarians at Pet Center, Ltd and they can help determine which option will work best for you and your pet.

Make sure all of your pet’s information is up-to-date.

Animal control offices receive more phone calls on the Fourth of July than any other day of the year. The loud popping and explosions on this holiday cause animals to get very nervous and make a break for it. This is especially true of cats, so be sure to guard those doors when they get opened.  In the event your cat or dog does get frightened and runs away, be sure to have all of their information up-to-date beforehand, including collars and chips.  

Don’t:

Use fireworks around pets or take them to a show.

As mentioned, fireworks severely stress out pets. On Independence Day, veterinarians recommend keeping your animals in the home and surrounded by all of their favorite toys and blankets. If possible, try to seclude them to a single area of the house, preferably one that can’t hear much of what is happening outside.

Leave dangerous items in areas where your pet can access them.

Fireworks, alcohol, insect repellent, and sunscreen are common items used on Independence Day. Whenever anyone in your house uses these products, they must put them out of reach, so your pets can’t accidentally get into them. According to veterinarians, alcohol and firework ingestion can poison your animals, and unless they are specifically made for animals, insect repellent and sunscreen can cause numerous health problems.

If you haven’t updated your pet’s microchipping or collar information in a while, be sure to do so before this Fourth of July. At Pet Center Ltd.  Animal Hospital in Columbia, MO, they provide microchip services to ensure your cat or dog has permanent identification in the event they get out and lose their collar. To schedule an appointment with one of their veterinarians today, call (573) 445-3000. You can also visit their website to learn more about the many other wellness services offered.