From fireworks to food, 4th of July can be dangerous for pets

DAYTON, Ohio ( WDTN ) – Between the loud booms of fireworks and the crowded cookouts, the Fourth of July can be stressful for pets.

According to the Humane Society of Greater Dayton, the Fourth of the July is one of the top days pets get loose or lost from their owners.

“There’s a lot of loud noises from fireworks, there’s a lot of commotion with parties and cookouts, and it can scare them,” Jessica Garringer, Marketing and PR Manager for the Humane Society, said.

Garringer said it’s best to avoid the fireworks by keeping your pet indoors and offering them comfort instead.

“Keep them at home and keep them in a safe and secure room, maybe even put on some calming music that kind of drowns out some of those booms and loud noises just to kind of keep them calm during, you know, all of the festivities,” Garringer said.

Garringer said talk to your vet if your pet suffers from anxiety caused by fireworks or thunderstorms because they can offer advice to manage their stress.

The Dayton Humane Society is also encouraging pet owners to make sure their animals have multiple forms of identification.

That includes putting your contact information on a tag on your pet’s collar and getting your pet microchipped.

“If your animal who comes into a shelter or into a vet’s office, the first thing any of us do is scan it for a microchip,” Garringer said. “So if we see that it’s microchipped, we can pull up that number, get your contact information, and reunite your pet with you very quickly.”

Fourth of July cookouts can also cause trouble for pets.

Garringer said the food on your plate can cause digestive upset for your pet if they’re not used to it. Some foods, including onions, avocados and grapes, are toxic to animals.

Garringer also said to keep your pets away from alcohol, and the leftover cob from your corn is not a safe chew toy.

“Avoid the big vet that bills and just feed your pets their normal food,” Garringer said. “If you want to give them a treat that day, give them a treat that you know is safe for them.”

Pet owners are also warned against putting any sunscreen or buy spray on your pets unless it is a product that says it’s pet-friendly.

The Humane Society of Greater Dayton offers pet microchipping for $20 per pet. No appointment is required.

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