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July 4th not so pet-friendly

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Thu, Jun 23rd 2016 11:25 am

How to make July 4th safe for your pet

By TripsWithPets.com

The Fourth of July is one of the most stressful and potentially dangerous times of the year for pets. While you and your family, friends and neighbors are celebrating the holiday with fireworks, pets are finding these festive activities anything but celebratory.

Many pet parents assume that if their pet is not afraid of thunder or other loud noises, he will not be bothered by fireworks. This is not necessarily true. Even pets who normally are not bothered by thunder and other loud noises are often frightened and panicked by the cumulative effects of the fireworks, the excited voices outside, and being left alone inside the house.

If pets are left outside and unattended, the noise and raucous often drives them to run away. In fact, the July 4th holiday is a very busy time for animal shelters across the U.S. They report taking in a higher number of dogs that run off during firework festivities. In addition, many police stations log higher volumes of stray dog calls and barking complaints on July 4th compared to any other day of the year.

By planning ahead and taking some common sense precautions, you can help ensure your pet is happy and safe this Fourth of July.

1. Do not take your pet to fireworks displays.

2. Do not leave your pet alone in the car during fireworks (or ever). With only hot air to breathe inside a car, your pet can suffer serious health effects - even death - in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air, but they do provide an opportunity for your pet to be stolen.

Leaving your pet alone in the car is never a good idea. However, if your pet is most comfortable in the car, some pet parents find that driving around with their pet in the car helps to calm their pet.

3. Keep your pets in your home in a comfortable and quiet area with the shades drawn. If your pet is crate trained, then his crate is a great choice. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure you've removed any items your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep your pet company while you're attending Fourth of July picnics, parades and other celebrations.

4. Consult vet for anxiety relief. If you know your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult with your veterinarian before July 4 for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he will experience during fireworks displays.

5. If your pet seeks comfort in a bathtub, under a bed or other small space ... let him. Do not try to lure him out. If the space is safe and it makes him feel more secure, let him be.

6. Never leave pets outside unattended. Even in a fenced yard or on a chain is not safe. In their fear, pets who normally wouldn't leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.

7. Make sure your pet is wearing identification tag. If your pet does run off, proper ID can help ensure a safe return. In addition, it is also recommended to microchip your pet. This is an added safeguard should your pet lose his ID tag. Animals found running at-large should be taken to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.

Here's to you and your pet having a happy and safe Independence Day!

About TripsWithPets.com

TripsWithPets.com is a premier online pet-friendly travel guide providing online reservations at over 30,000 pet-friendly hotels and accommodations across the U.S. and Canada. When planning a trip, pet parents go to TripsWithPets.com for detailed, up-to-date information on hotel pet policies and pet amenities. TripsWithPets.com also features airline and car rental pet policies, pet-friendly activities, a user-friendly search-by-route option, as well as pet travel gear.

For more information, visit http://www.tripswithpets.com.

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