July 4th weekend is a favorite holiday of a lot of people… especially Southern Californians who like to take advantage of our epic beach weather and sunny days outdoors. While you may be prepping by going to the store to grab those hot dog buns and watermelon, consider taking just as much time to prep your plans and environment for your pup.
And no, we don’t mean just having the essentials for your dog if you plan to include them on your holiday outings. We mean making sure that your plans for the long weekend take into account making sure that your dog is comfortable and safe throughout the weekend.
For humans, this weekend is filled with early summer vibes, fun around large groups of people, loud music and of course fireworks! But if we want to look at the same scenario from a dog’s perspective, they may experience warm temperatures that are too hot for their paw pads, large groups that can cause them anxiety and loud music and fireworks that frankly, most dogs are terrified of.
So what can you do to help your pup through this? Well, you’re in luck, because I’ve scoured the internet for my favorite outdoor tips and indoor tricks for things to keep in mind and have compiled a list just for you! Keep reading on as we break down some ideas (as well as some tips from our Pack Leaders) for ensuring your dog remains safe during your 4th of July fun.
PREPPING YOUR PUP FOR THE 4TH
Here are some general tips to get your started…
1. Never leave your pet unattended in a parked car for any period of time.
“On a warm day, the temperature in a car can exceed 120° in a matter of minutes—even with the windows partially open. Your pet can quickly suffer brain damage or die from heatstroke or suffocation.”
– Source: Humanesociety.org
2. Make sure ID information is up to date
“In case your dog does escape during the festivities, be sure they will find their way home. This means they are wearing their collar with ID tags and has a microchip, both with up-to-date information. Why two forms of ID? Because someone may find your dog and not know about microchipping, or maybe the microchip can’t be read by the scanner at the vet they’re taken to. Also, tags can be lost. Two IDs are better than one!”
– Source: Iheartdogs.com
3. Don’t give your pet “table food”
“If you are having a backyard barbeque, you may be tempted to slip some snacks to your pet. But like beer and chocolate, there are other festive foods that could harm your pet. Onions, coffee, avocado, grapes & raisins, salt and yeast dough are all possible hazards for dogs and cats.”
– Source: Petmd.com
4. Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them
“Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets. If ingested, the animal could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases.”
– Source: ASPCA.org
5. Provide a Distraction
“Break out your dog’s favorite treats, play a game, or give it some extra cuddle time.You can occupy it for awhile by filling a KONG with peanut butter or another yummy treat and freezing it.”
– Source: Seattledogspot.com
THE OUTDOOR VS. INDOOR EXPERIENCE
There can be a variety of factors and elements that your dog may experience depending on if they spend the weekend outside or inside, so we’ve broken down the next section into two categories – OUTDOOR TIPS and INDOOR TRICKS.
1. Do not put glow jewelry on your pets, or allow them to play with it.
“While the luminescent substance contained in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestions, and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers.”
– Source: ASPCA.org
2. Be cautious of human food and trash
“Allow your dog to hide if it feels more comfortable in its crate or under a bed. Don’t pull it out or try to force it closer to the fireworks in an attempt to get him used to the sounds. Just let it stay where it’s comfortable and provide reassurance that it’s safe.”
– Source: Seattledogspot.com
3. Be in the know
“Educate children to not scare or harm pets with firecrackers or sparklers.”
– Source: Spcala.com
Pro Tip from Pack Leader, Logan:
If you are out and there is asphalt (say parking your car at a local park), take the extra precaution and go by the “7 Second Rule”. Hold the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds and if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your pup.
1. Exercise your dog before the fireworks start
“Make time in your schedule to give your an extra long workout before the fireworks begin. Tired dogs are calmer and easier to keep quiet. They will also sleep more deeply, and consequently, will be less likely to be disturbed by the noise outside.”
– Source: Seattledogspot.com
2. Make some (white) noise
“However, having some ‘white noise’ in the background such as soothing music, the TV, even fans can help drown out the noise that’s happening outside, leading to a calmer dog. Just don’t blare whatever you are playing – that won’t help your dog, either.”
– Source: Iheartdogs.com
3. Stay home
“Your dog will be a lot less anxious if you are there and you can ensure they don’t escape. Some dogs get so frantic and will even jump through windows in an attempt to flee the noise.”
– Source: Iheartdogs.com
Pro Tip from Pack Leader, Hope:
If you are away and have to leave your dog at home, make sure to check all windows, doors and backyard gates to ensure they are fully closed. This extra precaution will provide you peace of mind as well as ensure you have left a safe and secure environment for your dog.
Thanks for taking the time to read up on how to keep your pup safe and for being a responsible dog owner! We’re sure that your pup would give you a lot of thank you kisses for keeping them happy and healthy during what could be a stressful time for them. We hope that you and your pups have a great holiday weekend together and make tons of positive memories…
Wishing you a safe holiday weekend and a Happy 4th of July!
AUTHOR’S NOTES & DISCLOSURE: The opinions of this blog post are based on personal experiences. All affiliations are suggested based on collaborative efforts and have not been paid for or should be considered as paid advertisements. OC Pup Scouts is not to be held liable should you have a negative personal experience with anything recommended that has been mentioned as these thoughts are independently shared. If you are struggling with mental health, we strongly encourage you to seek professional help and guidance.
