PAWS AND REFLECT | Your pets can enjoy the Fourth of July, too — away from the festivities

The Fourth of July is one of our nation’s most renowned celebrations. This anniversary of liberty is typically brimming with festivities such as backyard barbeques overloaded with American fare, carnivals, boisterous parades, concerts and political ceremonies, as well as prismatic fireworks lighting up the evening sky. 

While your two-legged family members may delight in partaking in the holiday feasts and parties, the extravagant gaieties are not always appreciated by our four-legged family members, as the sky illuminations can sometimes cause fear and anxiety in many pets. 

Should your pet be included in your Fourth of July fete, it is always a good idea to practice safety precautions to prevent any unplanned misadventures. 

Noise phobia

The traditional pyrotechnic displays held every year can cause extreme fright in some animals as they do not associate the booms, whizzes and burning smells with jubilation. 

If you are going to be home and able to monitor your pet, you can inquire with your veterinarian if they recommend a sedative medication be given to help keep your dog or cat calm. 

Setting up an area of comfort, such as a kennel or closet, with their favorite toy or blanket to separate them from the loud sounds, while petting and reassuring your pet, can also help them feel a sense of security. 

If you plan to leave your pet at home, leave a fan running or music playing to help deafen the outside noises, and make sure that doors and windows are secured to prevent escape. 

Food toxicity  

Independence Day cookouts offer tantalizing treats and smells to dogs and cats alike. If you are hosting a large party, it can be impossible to keep an eye on your pet every moment to prevent them from stealing items from your buffet or to discourage every guest from slipping them a morsel here and there. 

Not everyone is aware that certain foods can cause gastrointestinal distress in your pet; they simply want to be kind and give in to their pleading eyes. It is a good idea to ask your company to refrain from feeding your four-legged family members to prevent any maladies. 

Fatty or rich foods like hamburgers, hot dogs, marinated chicken or baby back ribs can potentially wreak havoc on their delicate gastrointestinal system and can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea or, in some cases, pancreatitis. 

Discarded bones left on unattended plates or accidentally dropped to the ground can possibly result in obstructions in their digestive tract, leading to more serious issues. 

You also want to ensure that your pets are kept away from alcohol, as it is toxic to pets. 

Drowning

Many families enjoy spending their holiday weekend by the water, whether it be poolside, at the ocean, on a boat or at a lakeside retreat — usually with their dogs joyfully by their side. Thousands of dogs die in drowning accidents every summer, so it is always a good idea to take adequate safety measures to protect your pet from suffering the same fate. 

Dogs should always be supervised while swimming and never be left alone to swim on their own accord. Some pets love swimming and will stay submerged in the water until they are too exhausted to make it back to shore. 

You will want to keep a close eye on your pet to watch for signs of distress. If they are panting heavily and appear to be shaky, allow them to rest for before throwing the floatable toy back in the water. 

You will also want to keep fresh water on hand if your dog becomes thirsty, since you do not want them to drink lake water, salt water or chlorinated water. 

If they are going to swim in a pool or relax on a boat, make sure there is a suitable exit if they want to come out of the water. Pet safety ladders can be installed easily in most pools and on the sides of boats. 

If your dog is going to be swimming in the ocean, be wary that riptides can overpower even the strongest swimmer, so you will want to know where your pet is at all times. 

A simple, effortless way to help prevent drowning is to have your pet wear a life jacket anytime it is going to be near aquatic settings, and especially if it is going to be on a boat, in the event it falls overboard. This simple, lightweight accessory is the most effective way to save your pet’s life if they were to become inundated. 

Lifejackets can be purchased at most pet stores and online. 

Becoming lost

The biggest nightmare for any pet parent is that the pet will turn up missing during a party. Fence gates can accidentally be left open, too many party guests can cause confusion or loud fireworks can cause your pet to flee in fright. 

To help your pet reunite with you quickly, make sure its collar tags and microchips have up-to-date contact information so you can be reached. 

The Fourth of July can be a fun holiday for all members of your family with the right safeguards. If your pet requires emergency veterinary care over the holiday weekend, contact ACCES (11536 Lake City Way N.E.) at (206) 364-1660. 

MEGAN L. FOUCH is the office manager at the Madison Park Veterinary Hospital (www.madisonparkvet.com). To comment on this column, write to MPTimes@nwlink.com.