fbpx ;

Four-Legged Friends and the Fourth of July

There’s a lot to love about Independence Day, for humans and pets alike. However, for cats and dogs, there are some things that are scary (and even dangerous) about the Fourth of July holiday, so we’re rounding up a few articles you might want to read and some products you should check out.

pets-fireworks-585

Pets and Fireworks: What You Should Know

First off, here’s the basic thing: Pets and fireworks don’t mix. Pets don’t understand fireworks. The noises and lights are just scary, and no, it won’t make it easier for them to deal with if they’re outside and able to see them.

So, what do you do? Mikkel Becker has some great ideas for training your pet ahead of time over at Vetstreet, and also offers some really smart tips for how to help your pet stay calm during the big fireworks show (even if you haven’t had much of a chance to put this training into practice. In our house, we always make sure TVs are on and we utilize white noise big time. Here’s the app I use, but there are loads available!

Another thing worth trying is an Anxiety Wrap — it’s given my poor, high-strung Hollie dog a little peace of mind, but while it’s super cool, you should know that it’s not a wham bam thank you ma’am solution to doggie nerves, as it does involve some training. It has leg straps to apply pressure to key acupressure points on her hind legs, and wraps all along her body as well — kind of like a big hug. All of this combines (again, with a bit of preemptive training so your pup doesn’t learn to associate putting on the Wrap with fireworks and thunderstorms) to help her remain calm during Scary Noise Time. Plus, it fits in such a way that it still allows her to run and play with ease.

Fireworks aren’t the only potential danger for pets on this holiday. If you’re planning to spend lots of time outdoors in the hot summer sun, make sure your dog has a shady place to cool down. And I know you know this, but seriously, guys, don’t leave your dog in a hot car, even if you’re just running in the store to grab a few sparklers. Just don’t do it, okay? Great. Thanks.

Also, you’ve gotta meet Rudi’s summer crush: the Swamp Cooler cooling vest. With her black fur, it only takes a few minutes in the Florida sunshine for her coat to become seriously hot to the touch, but if I’m taking her for a daytime walk (or she just wants to hang out with us outside), I can wet down this vest with cold water and put it on her to keep her cooler for longer. She gets cooled a bit as water evaporates from the coat’s reservoir, plus, the light reflects heat from the sun. Even if your dog isn’t a big ol’ black pup, make sure you’re cautious about her heat exposure, because she might want to be around you (or those burgers sitting on the picnic table) so badly that she’ll stay out in the sun far longer than is really safe.

Finally, make sure any people-food treats your dog is snacking on are safe. Because yes, the dangerous foods go well beyond grapes and chocolate. Get up to speed with this cute graphic! And, of course, you can always make these.

Got any fit plans with your four-legged buddy this holiday? Our plans involve a lot of white noise at a very high volume … and maybe a little splashing in the pool. Will this be the weekend that the dogs finally learn how to use the pool stairs? STAY TUNED. Kristen

FTC disclosure: We often receive products from companies to review. All thoughts and opinions are always entirely our own. Unless otherwise stated, we have received no compensation for our review and the content is purely editorial. Affiliate links may be included. If you purchase something through one of those links we may receive a small commission. Thanks for your support!