The Fourth of July offers relatives and friends a fun reason to get together—however, your furry family members might not be as thrilled. Between the scary booms of the fireworks and the spread of tempting-but-dangerous holiday foods, this day can be equal parts stressful and exciting to them. To make sure they stay safe and healthy, veterinarians recommend keeping the following tips in mind.

What Pet Owners Should Watch Out For on Independence Day

1. Heat Exhaustion

The summer is warming up, and your pet is probably feeling it more than anyone. If you're going to be out in the sun, find them a shady area to rest in. Additionally, if the pavement is too hot to touch, it’s too hot for their paws without foot protection.

2. Dehydration

Your dog's best way of cooling off is panting; however, this process will make your dog more thirsty than usual. Make sure they always have access to fresh water—perhaps with a few ice cubes thrown in to keep it cool.

3. People Food

Be careful about letting your dog get hold of your Independence Day snacks. Hot dogs are a choking risk. Onions and garlic can destroy their red blood cells and grapes can cause them to go into renal failure. Xylitol, a common sweetener, is also toxic to dogs. Finally, they can get sick from raw meat just like you can. If your dog does eat something they shouldn't, make sure you know the location of a nearby animal hospital in advance so you can take them there quickly.

4. Fireworks

Most pets find the sound of fireworks frightening. In their panic, they may attempt to get away from the noise, escaping your yard without knowing how to get back. For this reason, more dogs are lost on July Fourth than any other day of the year. Therefore, in addition to keeping your dog indoors after sundown, talk to your veterinarian about microchipping them just in case they do get loose.

If your dog needs a veterinarian after a Fourth of July mishap, come to A-4 Animal Hospital in Lincoln, NE. Serving Lancaster County, this animal hospital provides care for a wide range of pets: dogs, cats, and exotic animals including birds, amphibians, and reptiles. They offer house calls as needed, and handle a full range of services in-house. Read more about their offerings on their website. Then call (402) 475-2282 to make an appointment with a veterinarian today.