JULY 4TH – PET SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS

Posted by helpet

Here at Helpet Veterinary Center we care about all our furry friends and would like to inform their parents about the dangers during the holiday season. Fourth of July is a great time of year to celebrate our independence. The deep booms, bright lights, parties can be overwhelming, but also very frightening for our furry friends. While it may seem like a great idea to reward your pet with scraps from the grill and bring him along to watch fireworks, in reality some festive foods and activities can be potentially hazardous to them. Below are some helpful tips from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center:

1) Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them.
2) Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals.
3) Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pets’ reach.
4) Keep your pets on their normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pet severe indigestion and diarrhea. And keep in mind that foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes, raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to companion animals.
5) Do not put glow jewelry on your pets, or allow them to play with it. These products are not highly toxic, but excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestion’s, and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers.
6) Keep citronella candles, insect coils and tiki torch oil products out of reach.
7) Never use fireworks around pets! While exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns and/or trauma to the face and paws of curious pets, even unused fireworks can pose a danger. Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, who can become frightened or disoriented by the sound. Please resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities, and opt instead to keep them safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home. 
8) Pets may run away due to fireworks, and get lost. Please make sure your pet is microchipped. Stop by or call us to make an appointment and we can scan existing microchips, or implant a new microchip for your pet.

Hope you found this article helpful. Happy 4th of July!!!