The Fourth of July is coming up fast, and many pet parents are looking forward to family BBQs and firework displays! While we want to include our pets in the fun, maybe with some pup-ice cream or a patriotic toy, some activities can be dangerous or scary for them. Before getting caught up in holiday plans, let’s take a minute to plan for our pets’ safety.
Food and Party Favors
If you’re hosting the party this 4th, be aware of what party favors and foods might come into contact with your pet. Most meat dishes meant for human consumption are too fatty for a dog or cat’s system and often contain cooked bone fragments that splinter easily and can damage their mouth or stomach. Other human foods like onions, grapes, alcohol, chocolate, or artificial sweeteners can be toxic to pets. Typical 4th of July items like glow sticks, fireworks, or sunscreen can also be dangerous if picked up by a curious pet. If you can, keep your pets enclosed in a quiet backroom during the party to keep them away from dangerous snacks. If your pet is out during the holiday, encourage your guests not to feed them scraps.
Product Suggestions: Keeping your pup involved in the fun
- Kahoots Collagen Chews: These protein-packed treats are not only safe but beneficial for your pet’s skin, coat, and joints. Available in various shapes, such as braided sticks and rings, they are slow-baked to perfection and coated in natural beef flavor for an extended, enjoyable chewing session.
- Kahoots Wild Alaskan Cod Skin Minis and Sticks: Ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs, these single-ingredient treats are naturally high in Omega-3s and rich in essential nutrients.
Handling Stress and Anxiety
The 4th of July holiday involves a lot of commotion and potentially fireworks in the neighbor’s yard. These things can all be very stressful for animals who don’t understand what’s happening. Anxious pets can be destructive or try to escape, making the 4th of July the number one day of the year for pets to go missing. Before the 4th, set up a safe space for your pets. Utilize a quiet, familiar space such as a bathroom or bedroom to house your pets during the stressful evening. Many dogs or cats can leap over fences or push through gates if they panic, so don’t assume that your yard will be secure enough. Anxious pets will often tear up furniture or urinate during extreme stress, so try to keep valuable furniture out of their designated safe space.
Product Suggestions: Keeping your pup relaxed
- Calming Pheromone Spray: Helps to create a calming environment.
- CBD Calming Aids: Available at our local retail stores. Our sales associates can help you find the right product for your pet.
Emergency Preparedness
Even with the best precautions, accidents happen, and it’s best to be prepared for the event of your pet escaping on the 4th of July. Make sure that all of your pets have up-to-date I.D. tags on them at all times. We also recommend that you microchip your pets, in the event that their collar comes off while they are loose. Just like your I.D. tags, you may need to update your microchip information if you have moved or changed phone numbers. Hundreds of frightened dogs and cats find themselves lost every year on the 4th of July, and they can only get home if their identification tags and chips are maintained. As an added precaution, take a current picture of your dog or cat before the 4th so that you can properly advertise if they escape.
Product Suggestions: A pup is better safe than lost
- Custom ID Tags from Kahoots: Ensure your pet's tags are updated with current information. We can make custom ID tags for your pet at our retail locations.
- Microchip Services: Available at many veterinary clinics (including our regular vet clinics). The information stored in a microchip can be read by a vet, will keep your contact info current, and help to bring your pet back to you if they run away because the fireworks scare them.
Kahooligan Tip: Everybody loves to celebrate, but when it comes to our pets, we have to think safety first. Providing your pets with a comforting space during the stressful bustle and noises can keep them safe and secure during the holiday. Have a plan for emergencies and make sure any lost pets can find their way home. It’s a fantastic idea to celebrate the 4th with your pet, just make sure it’s with doggy-approved treats or tuggies!