7 Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe on the 4th of July

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The Fourth of July can be a very stressful time for your pets. The sound of booming fireworks and the parties that fill your house with strange guests can make your dog scared and distressed, which can lead to your dog escaping the stressful situation. This can turn a great evening into a nightmare if your beloved pet goes missing, so we want to make sure that you and your furry companions know what to do in order to have a safe and fun Independence day.

Exercise – Going and taking your dog for a walk or run before your 4th of July celebration will release some of their energy and can calm your dog down enough to make him less excitable.
Keep them Inside – Dogs who are afraid of fireworks are more likely to run away to try and escape from the loud sounds, so keeping them inside in a safe and calming space will help make them more comfortable and less anxious. Try making a room just for them where the booming of the fireworks and bustling of people won't disturb them.
Socialize – Sometimes keeping your dog secluded from everyone can be as stressful as being around a group of strangers and loud noises, so you can also try letting them be around the hustle and bustle of your party, while also providing a safe space for your dog to go to if things get too overwhelming.
Acclimate – If you can, try preparing your dog in advance by slowly getting them used to loud noises and new people. Start with small noises and work your way up to lots of noise all at once. If you do this too quick and your dog isn't ready you can induce a panic attack and make their anxiety worse. Use lots of treats as a reward for when they don't react to the loud noise or get scared around new people. A ThunderShirt™ can help with this process as well, as it helps ease the anxiety before it starts. This can drastically lessen the chance of them getting anxious or running away, and will overall improve your dog's quality of life.
Medicate – If your dog is severely anxious you can consult your veterinarian about what type of medicine you can use to help soothe your dog's anxiety. You can also go the all-natural way and use CBD-infused dog treats (turkey or pumpkin flavor) or hemp oil.
Avoid – It is very important that you are not giving your dog scraps or leftovers from the BBQ and that you avoid spraying them with any human bug sprays or sunscreen. Human food can be very dangerous to your dog if you are not watching or are not aware of what they are eating. Human sprays are very toxic and can seriously harm your dog, especially because they lick themselves and would end up ingesting toxic chemicals. There a number of non-toxic, all natural, dog-safe insecticides that you can use safely around your pet. If you think your animal has gotten a hold of something harmful call the 24/7 Animal Poison Control Center immediately at 1-855-764-7661.

Though the above is 24/7, here are other in-country options for our non-US readers:
- Australia – Call the NSW Poisons Information Centre at 13 11 26.
- United Kingdom – Call the Animal Poison Line at 01202 509000.
  This service costs £30 per call as of this post's publishing.
- Elsewhere – A quick search online will likely return results for a poison center in your country.
Comfort – Reassuring your dog and making them feel as comfortable as possible can ease anxiety and tension in your dog. In some cases, BBQ's, groups of people and loud fireworks won't be on the itinerary, but your dog will still be able to hear the fireworks and commotion outside. If you are staying in you can close up the house, turn on the A/C and snuggle up with your furry companion.