July Fourth brings warm weather, cookouts, fun gatherings, and fireworks, but the holiday can also pose dangers to your pet. Our West Vets ER team explains perilous situations your pet may encounter on July Fourth. Follow our tips to help ensure your four-legged friend remains safe this holiday.

Perilous pet situation #1: Janie’s escapades in uncharted territory

Janie, a 2-year-old Australian shepherd, was taking her evening constitutional in the backyard when the sky suddenly exploded. The noise was incredibly loud, and blinding lights flashed from all directions. Janie was terrified. Obviously, she was being attacked. She immediately bolted over the fence. Luckily, she escaped her attackers but had entered unfamiliar territory. Janie had no idea how to get home. A kind person noticed she was lost, read her tags, and returned Janie to her owner.

West Vets ER (WVER): Janie’s July Fourth experience is all too common. This holiday is animal shelters’ busiest time, as pets often become lost while trying to flee from fireworks’ ear-splitting booms and blinding lights. To help ensure your pet remains safely at home this July Fourth, follow these tips:

  • Keep your pet inside — Keep your pet inside during the July Fourth festivities. Let them out for a bathroom break before the fireworks start, and then keep them inside.
  • Secure your doors and windows — Ensure your doors and windows are closed and secure, so your pet cannot escape.
  • Warn your guests — If you are hosting guests, ensure they know to keep your pet indoors.
  • Identify your pet — Ensure your pet has identification (ID). Doing so increases the chances of them getting back home as soon as possible if they go missing.  Microchipping provides your pet with an ID that can’t be lost or removed. In addition, your pet should always wear a collar and ID tags that have your current contact information.

Perilous pet situation #2: Frank’s unfortunate picnic overindulgence

Frank, a 4-year-old dachshund, was happy his owner included him in a July Fourth picnic. He wore his red, white, and blue vest, and knew he looked snazzy. The aromas wafting from the grill were mouthwatering, but Frank’s owner wouldn’t share even one tasty morsel. When his owner was distracted, the wily dachshund made friends with a young boy who let him have his cupcake. Unfortunately for Frank, the cupcake contained xylitol, a sugar substitute that is toxic to pets. Frank’s owner was able to get him to the emergency veterinary hospital before his condition became dire, and the dachshund  is recovering well.

WVER: Many common foods, including chocolate, sugar-free treats, alcohol, onions, garlic, grapes, and raisins, are toxic to pets. In addition, any sudden change in your pet’s diet can result in gastrointestinal (GI) upset, and the fatty foods commonly served at a July Fourth celebration may trigger pancreatitis, a potentially life-threatening condition. To help prevent your pet from experiencing a GI emergency, follow these tips:

  • Keep your pet leashed — Keep your pet leashed to help keep them out of trouble.
  • Secure your garbage — Keep your garbage in sealed containers, so your pet can’t snag an off-limits treat.
  • Inform your guests — Let your guests know they should not give your pet table scraps.
  • Monitor the party area — To help prevent your pet from eating something they shouldn’t, always be on the lookout for unattended plates and cups, and discard them immediately.
  • Feed your pet — Feed your pet a meal before your July Fourth party, and provide pet-friendly snacks they can enjoy during the festivities.

Perilous pet situation #3: Betty’s scary overheating experience

Betty, a 5-year-old bulldog, was not enjoying the holiday gathering to which she accompanied her owner. The temperature was too hot, too many unfamiliar people were in attendance, and her owner wouldn’t let her eat any of the yummy-smelling food. To show her disapproval, Betty started howling loudly. Her owner was planning on leaving soon, but wasn’t quite ready. He put Betty in the car, because she was obviously upset. The car was parked in a shady area, and he left the windows cracked open. As a flat-faced (i.e., brachycephalic) breed, Betty has a high heatstroke risk, and she quickly started to overheat. When her owner returned, Betty was drooling excessively and barely able to remain upright. Her owner rushed her to the emergency veterinary clinic where they started intravenous (IV) fluids and were fortunately able to save Betty’s life.

WVER: Heatstroke is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition. All pets are susceptible to heatstroke, but pets who have the highest risk include brachycephalic breeds, senior and overweight pets, and those who have a pre-existing medical condition. To help prevent your pet from overheating, follow these tips:

  • Never leave your pet unattended in a vehicle — Temperatures quickly skyrocket in a parked vehicle, and your pet is never safe when left unattended.
  • Bring water for your pet — Dehydration predisposes your pet to heatstroke. Bring bottled water and a portable water bowl on outings so you can offer your four-legged friend water often.
  • Take frequent breaks — Pets often become excited around crowds and exuberant children. Ensure your pet takes frequent breaks in the shade to cool down.
  • Leave your pet at home — If the day is extremely hot or humid, or you have an at-risk pet, leave them at home.

Perilous pet situation #4: Chi-Chi’s traumatic encounter with booms and whistles

Chi-Chi, a year-old Chihuahua, was enjoying a quiet evening watching television with his owner when outdoor noises startled him. The booms and whistles were unescapable, and he was terribly frightened. His owner didn’t seem concerned, but Chi-Chi was afraid the world was ending. He panicked and cowered in terror under the bed all evening, worrying that the noises could start again at any moment. 

WVER: Many pets have a noise aversion to fireworks, and the condition can cause your four-legged friend to panic, experiencing fear that can lead to emotional trauma, physical injuries, and health issues attributable to chronic stress. You and your veterinarian should address your pet’s noise-aversion issues as soon as possible to prevent this distress from decreasing your pet’s quality of life. To help quell your pet’s noise-aversion anxiety, follow these tips:

  • Environmental modification — Take your pet to the quietest area in your home, and play music or white noise to help muffle the sounds. You can also distract your four-legged friend by playing a game with them or providing them with a food puzzle toy.
  • Behavioral modification — Desensitization and counterconditioning techniques can help some pets if started weeks or months before you know a triggering event, such as July Fourth fireworks, will be occurring.
  • Supplements and medications — Supplements and medications are sometimes necessary to help address a pet’s severe noise-aversion reaction.

By following our July Fourth pet safety tips, you and your four-legged friend can enjoy a stress-free holiday. However, if your pet experiences a veterinary emergency on July Fourth, contact our West Vets ER team.