Local veterinarian offers tips to protect pets from fireworks and holiday hazards
With the Fourth of July just days away, many families are getting ready for fireworks, cookouts, and celebrations.
While the holiday brings excitement for people, it can be one of the most stressful times of the year for pets.
The booms, flashes, and crowds that come with Fourth of July festivities can be overwhelming for pets. Veterinarians say fireworks are one of the leading causes of anxiety in dogs and cats during the holiday, often causing animals to panic, hide, or run away. Dr. Neely Gaddy said, “Fireworks are coming, storm season is happening. It’s really important to be prepared ahead of time and have things like medications or sprays, anything that will help your pet feel more comfortable. This is dogs and cats that we’re speaking of. Once pets are in that kind of mindset where they are already afraid and fearful of what’s going on, that is a really difficult time to try to get prepared and start giving medications. The goal is to give it about two hours before an event. Fireworks are getting earlier and earlier nowadays so we’re looking at Wednesday and Thursday this week that these fireworks will start. The storms have been crazy this year. I’m really trying to reach out to really try and encourage people to go ahead and get with your pet, see if your pet is available to get medications or another option that would be better. Please get your pet in and speak to your doctor about dosages way ahead of time. Now is the time to go in and prepare your pet.”
They also encourage owners to make sure pets are wearing identification tags and that their microchip information is up to date in case they become separated from their families.
Veterinarians are also reminding pet owners to keep fireworks, sparklers, and table scraps out of reach. Many holiday foods and firework materials can be harmful or even toxic to animals if ingested. “Food is a great thing to bring up in this time too because we’re all having BBQ’s, we’re all making food that we usually don’t make. We take our eyes off that food because we are looking at other things, kids swimming, etc. They love food. A lot of dogs will jump on the counter or a table to get food and fireworks too. Some of them get so scared that they want to attack the firework so watch that. But do keep in mind that a lot of vets are closed Friday and Saturday this weekend. You don’t want to end up in an emergency situation and not have a place to go.”
If a pet does go missing, animal experts recommend contacting local shelters, animal control agencies, and nearby veterinary clinics as soon as possible.
