Dear Miss Behavin’:
We are having a barbeque for the 4th of July and want to know what steps to take to keep our dog safe throughout the day?
The 4th of July can be a scary day for a lot of our pets. I’m glad to see you are planning ahead and want to make sure your pup is safe throughout the day’s events. There are several things you can do to help make the day a little easier and safe for your pup.
The most important thing is to make sure that your pet’s ID tags are up to date and fitting securely on their collar. Next would be to make sure that your yard is secure. You will want to look for any loose fence boards or holes and repair them or block access to them. I recommend keeping your pet inside the house or on leash and supervised if taken out. Remember a panicked dog is only thinking to get away from whatever scared them.
If you know that your pet has a hard time with the 4thof July, you can help make the day a little easier for them by looking into some of the following items that can help to calm your pet. My personal favorites are the following: pheromone collar, lavender spray and CBD treats. Thunder Shirts, having a TV or radio playing can help drown out the sounds of fireworks. If your pet becomes easily panicked, I recommend that you talk with your vet and look at some options to help make the night easier.
If your pet gets out, be sure to have a current photo and visit your local shelter. You can file a lost report with them and be sure to post on multiple social media sites to get the word out.