Baldwin County animal experts share tips to keep pets safe, happy this Fourth of July

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. ( WKRG ) — As people prepare to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and food, officials warn of the dangers the holiday can pose and how pet owners can keep their furry friends safe.

The main concern people think of when they think of the Fourth of July and pets: fireworks.

Even though just about everyone enjoys watching fireworks on the Fourth of July, some pets don’t feel the same way.

Baldwin County animal experts said the loud noises that fireworks make can give some pets anxiety.

“More pets go missing on the Fourth of July than any other holiday. Mostly dogs, but cats, too. They hear the fireworks, and they get scared, and they run,” Baldwin County Humane Society Executive Director Abby Pruet said.

Pruet said that it is important to keep pets inside when there will be loud, frightening noises outside that could scare them.

“Keep them in if you can,” Pruet said. “If you can’t, just do a little check of your yard, and make sure you don’t have any holes in the fence or anything like that. And honestly, the best way is to make sure that they have identification and that it’s current on an old phone number or anything.”

Pruet added that anxiety from fireworks is not limited to just dogs. All pets can get nervous from the loud noise.

“If you’re nervous and you have an indoor, outdoor kitty, just make sure they’re inside,” Pruet said. “Make sure you know where their hiding places are, so they don’t hide somewhere where you can’t find them.”

For anxious pets, Pruet recommended making sure they have somewhere like a kennel or a closet to hide in if they want. She also said extra treats and snuggles never hurt.

On the Fourth, fireworks are not the only concern for pet owners to keep in mind. Two more things officials advise owners to watch out for are the heat and food.

Dr. Alan Kuhn, a veterinarian at Bay Animal Clinic in Fairhope, said in addition to paying attention to increased anxiety from fireworks, pet owners should also keep an eye on the heat and make sure their pets have plenty of water and shade to prevent heat exhaustion.

In addition, he also says to try not to sneak your pets any food from the family barbecue this year because it might make them sick.

“There’s a lot of stuff that we eat that’s not so good for your pet,” Dr. Kuhn said.

Sharon Coburn, a pet owner in Fairhope, said her three dogs will be spending the Fourth of July indoors to beat the heat, to keep them safe and to prevent them from feeling anxious.

“We do have plans, but our dogs will stay at home. The Fourth of July is known as the number one holiday where pets get scared,” Coburn said. “They hear the firecrackers, they hear the noise and they might run away. Some are found, but some are never found. So the best advice I have is to keep them inside.”

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