9 Tips To Keep Your Pet Safe on July 4th (Page 2)

5. Do not put glow jewelry on your pets, or allow them to play with it. While the luminescent substance contained in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestions, and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers.

6. Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach. Ingestions can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression. If inhaled, the oils could cause aspiration pneumonia in pets.

7. Never use fireworks around pets! While exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns and/or trauma to the face and paws of curious pets, even unused fireworks can pose a danger. Many types contain potentially toxic substances, including potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals.

8. Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, so please resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities. Instead, keep your little guys safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home.

9. Keep ‘em Calm: Consider calming your pet with a homeopathic calming remedy, available over the counter at most natural pet stores or the new Thundershirt, which features a gentle, constant pressure that has a dramatic calming effect for most dogs if they are anxious, fearful or over-excited. If your pet has severe anxiety with loud noises, you might consider consulting with your veterinarian for other options.

Please pass these tips on to any new pet parents you might know, to make sure they understand how to best prepare their pup or kitten for the holiday weekend and feel free to leave a comment with other tips you have found helpful. Happy Fourth!

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Kathy P.

11:55AM PDT on Aug 28, 2012

duh?

August 28
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Barb H.

7:45AM PDT on Jul 18, 2012

thanks i got this 11 days late, i'll keep it in mind for next year

July 18
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Carrie-Anne B.

3:59AM PDT on Jul 8, 2012

thanks for sharing :)

July 8
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Ginger B.

10:03PM PDT on Jul 5, 2012

My dog and I are still recovering from the loud fireworks some idiots set off a couple of blocks away. It's against the law where we live to shoot off loud, ear-spitting noises, and I was furious. My dog is 13 years old and weighs 70 lbs; I am 5' 3" and about 125 lbs. I had to sit on our recliner with him on my lap, trying to soothe him. We thought he was about to have a heart attack. Just as I was about to call the police, they drove down our street and stopped the noise. Somebody else had called them. However, the lack of booms did not allay my poor dog. He was unable to stop shaking, no matter how much I tried to calm him down. Finally, I brought him into the kitchen, and gave him a teaspoon of organic ice-cream. Much to my surprise he ate it and stopped shaking for a moment. I ended up giving him about 6 teaspoons of ice-cream, and each time he ate one his shaking would stop. After that, he calmed down, and the shaking finally ended, but he was still nervous and didn't want me to leave his side. I think that ice-cream is a kind of seditive for dogs, and thought I should pass it on. We only eat organic, so I don't think a little ice-cream is harmful for a frightened dog. The next day (today) he was okay, and ate his regular breakfast, but I noticed that he was hesitant around the house and outside as well, which isn't like him.

July 5
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Aino V.

12:00AM PDT on Jul 5, 2012

Thanks

Liu W.

7:03PM PDT on Jul 4, 2012

Thanks , I remember I love my pets

July 4
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Pamela H.

6:25PM PDT on Jul 4, 2012

Besides the fact that fireworks cause much suffering to animals, in anxiety and animals getting lost or trapped in hiding places; it's also a complete waste of money. It is literally burning money. Surely society can come up with a more modern way of celebrating. How about lazer lights or coloured water displays etc? Anything without the noise.

Winn A.

6:03PM PDT on Jul 4, 2012

Thank you for the article...

Jennifer C.

5:18PM PDT on Jul 4, 2012

Thanks.

Darla G.

5:05PM PDT on Jul 4, 2012

My elderly Yellow Lab HATES fireworks (he also hates thunder). Last night, when the moronic neighbors were shooting off illegal fireworks, Buddy went into my husband's bedroom as his safe haven. My husband is on oxygen 24/7 and in that room is his oxygen concentrator which makes a considerable amount of noise. Even though we have the TV on, I think the noise from the concentrator is more consistent in volume, etc. and it makes Bud feel safer. I never go to fireworks anymore; it's more important for me to be home with my best Bud.