The 4th of July is right around the corner. It’s a day filled with fun, food, and fireworks for the whole family. However, one member of your family may not be as excited for the festivities -- your furry friend. If you’re looking to include your precious pup in your Independence Day plans, it’s important that you plan ahead with these 5 tips!
Keep them cool
No matter where in the country you reside, the chance for high temperatures, and in some cases high humidity, is as great as your chance of hearing fireworks. Heat exhaustion is a very real phenomenon for dogs, especially if they have a thicker or double coat. If you plan on having your pet outside with you for long periods of time, it’s vital that you prepare accordingly.
Make sure your dog has access to fresh, cool water at all times. If you’re celebrating at home, place a bowl of water inside or outside the house that you can refill. If you are outside the home, look for water fountains that have a lower spigot that your dog can drink from. A collapsable water bowl is a great on-the-go option as well. This is an easy way to keep your dog hydrated.
Be sure to find a cool spot for your pup to rest, whether that be in the shade of a tree, under an umbrella, or an awning. If there’s absolutely no shade, purchasing a cooling mat is a great alternative solution. These mats absorb your pet’s heat and cool them down. You can easily fold it up and take it with you, keeping your dog cool on the go.
Monitor what they eat
Keeping an eye on your dog during the family cookout might seem a little silly, but could be the difference between a happy holiday and an emergency vet visit. Though there are many foods your dog can eat, there are equally as many, if not more, that could cause them to become severely ill. Keep track of your pup to ensure that they don’t pick up a lone hamburger topping or slice of cake that may have fallen to the floor.
In addition, be sure to educate those around you about dog food etiquette. This is especially true when it comes to children. Should they want to treat your dog, provide children with dog-friendly treats that are safer for your pup. Just be mindful of how many treats your dog has as too many may upset their stomach.
ID your pet
Whether you’re celebrating at home, the beach, the park, or another location, your dog should always have an ID. Shelters have reported that July 5th is one of their most active times of the year. The reason being that fireworks often spook dogs and cats, causing them to run away in fear. Pets that are found are usually brought to a shelter for safekeeping. If not properly ID’d through their collar or a chip, locating your lost pet can be a long, heartbreaking endeavor. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Have a plan for the festivities
The 4th of July is one of the few American holidays that millions of dogs struggle to cope with. Some dogs have severe reactions to fireworks, so it’s best to prepare in advance. If at all possible, allow your dog to skip the fireworks entirely. Loud noises put unnecessary stress on pets, so it’s best to avoid them altogether. Staying home or going to a doggie daycare can be a safe space.
Create an action plan. If you know ahead of time that poor Fido hates fireworks, set up a safe space for him to occupy. Before the fireworks start, get your dog some extensive exercise. A tired dog is a less anxious dog as they have less energy to contribute to their trigger. Place a doggy bed in a small space and consider providing a shirt with your scent on it as a soothing mechanism. Give your dog activities to focus on like their favorite bone or chew toy. Again, focus their mind away from the trigger. By planning ahead, you lessen the chance for anxiety.
Utilize anxiety aids
An anxious dog is not a happy dog. Give your pup the best chance of enjoying the summer holiday by providing a calming agent. We highly recommend PupGrade Health and Mood Enhancer. Made with natural ingredients like Organic Hemp Powder, Passion Flower, Chamomile, and more, it promotes calm energy and has been shown to decrease anxiety. Not only is it good for your dog’s brain, but this supplement boosts the health of the cardiovascular and immune systems. This is the healthiest supplement for soothing your pup’s anxiety.
However you plan to celebrate, keep the wellbeing and safety of your furry friend in mind! If you have any questions or tips of your own, let us know in the comments!
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