Fourth of July Pet Safety Tips

However, according to PetAmberAlert.com more pets go missing around the 4th of July than any other time of the year. Animal Control Services sees a 30% increase in lost animals around the holiday, but only 14% are returned to owners.

It is much safer to keep your pet at home or in a pet care facility during the festivities, but if you decide to bring along your furry friends, there are certain safety concerns you must keep in mind!

Never use fireworks around pets. Lit fireworks can severely burn pets and unused ones contain potentially toxic chemicals and other substances. Also, animals are startled by the loud bangs of fireworks and noisy parties, often causing them to run away.

Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended. Alcohol is poisonous to animals and ingestion can potentially result in weakness, severe depression, a coma, or even death from respiratory failure.

Do not put glow jewelry on pets, or allow them to play with it. The glowing substance can result in excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation if ingested and swallowing the plastic can lead to intestinal blockage.

Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach. Ingestion of these products can irritate animals’ stomachs and potentially cause central nervous system depression. If inhaled, the oils could cause aspiration pneumonia in pets.

For more tips on keeping your dog and other pets safe this 4th of July, check out ASPCA.com