Happy 4th of July weekend! Around the country millions of people are barbequing, soaking up the sun and enjoying a festive firework show. However, while you’re eating your hamburger and lighting that sparkler, make sure to keep your four-legged friends safe (and happy) too.
Fireworks frighten a lot of dogs – we’ve all heard the story about the dog that dug under the fence, jumped out the window, or chewed through the wall because he was scared. Did you know that more dogs run away on the 4th of July than any other day of the year? To make sure your dog isn’t one of them, here are a few tips.
- Don’t take your dog with you to any firework festivities. All of us want to include our four-legged family members, but the loud squealing and bangs often trigger the flight instinct in dogs.
- Keep your pup in a quiet area. Turn the TV or radio on to distract from any outside noise and keep a water bowl accessible.
- Make sure your dog is tagged. If you don’t have her microchipped – make sure to do so for next year! In the meantime, make sure she has a collar on and your contact info on her ID tag.
- Get your pup a Thundershirt. They help with a wide variety of symptom like shaking, panting, barking, whining, “accidents”, clawing, digging and many others! Easy to use and drug-free, Thundershirts have an 85% success rating AND a money back guarantee – it’s definitely worth a shot. Check out this video for some more info.
- Never leave your pup unattended outside – remember the story about the dog that dug his way out of the yard? You DONT want this to happen to you.
- If your dog has SUPER anxiety, talk to your vet. Sometimes, depending on the severity, they can prescribe sedatives to help.
Remember, Independence Day is supposed to be FUN - coming home to a missing pet is anything but.
From all of us at P.L.A.Y., we hope you and your families have a very happy AND safe 4th of July!
