Summer and 4th of July Safety Tips for Pet Parents

Collar, ID tag, microchip up to date and plan for the unthinkable: One in three pets becomes lost at some point in their lifetime. During the summer, more frequently opened doors, more time outside, and anxiety-inducing fireworks increase the chance of pets escaping, so it’s important to take precautionary measures to ensure their safe return home.

Pet parents should ensure that dogs and cats have ID tags on, their microchips up to date, and register pets on Petco Love Lost, a free national lost and found database that uses patented image-recognition technology to help reunite lost pets with their families. This will allow for quick identification if you are to ever be separated. To inspire pet parents to register, Petco Love recently debuted “My Ruff Day,” an animated short series that follows lost pets as they try to find their way home.

Keep calm and desensitize: In preparation for an evening that may bring bright lights and big scary booms to the sky, staying proactive and setting up pets prior to the Fourth of July celebrations will be key in keeping everyone safe. If your pet has never experienced the sounds of fireworks before, you can slowly begin desensitizing them to the sound days leading up to the fourth. Play a recording of firework sounds at low levels and gradually increase the sounds over time. You can reward calm behaviors with something reinforcing to your pet like high value treats and or praise.

Beat the heat: As we feel the summer temperatures rise around the country, our pets feel it also. Rule of thumb is if it’s too hot for you, it is without question too hot for them. Hot outdoor surfaces can be very dangerous as high temperatures can cause injury to their pads. Stay informed with your local weather forecast when planning out your summer events. If going to the greater outdoors be sure to have plenty of shade and water to prevent pets from overheating. Brachycephalic or “flat faced” breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boxers are more likely to overheat than other breeds because of their shorter airways. Keeping cool with interactive and enriching toys while indoors can be a great way for everyone to beat the heat while keeping their minds and bodies stimulated.

Check all doors and gates: July 5th is one of the busiest days for local animal shelters. Many pets go missing this time of year due to fearful pets running from firework displays and loud neighborhood celebrations. Be sure to inform all guests prior to their arrival that you have pets and it’s going to be important to remain mindful of open doors and windows. Utilizing baby gates and or exercise pens can be very beneficial while helping to manage the home environment, especially with young puppies.

Create a safe zone: Providing a safe and quiet area within the home, whether it’s a small nook, crate, or even a room to themselves can really go a long way during the Fourth of July celebrations. When paired with calming aids like Thunder shirts, pheromone diffusers, and white noise machines this dedicated area should be designed with pet comfort and relaxation in mind. This setup provides pets with a place to retreat and decompress from all the excitement. You can even set up a treat dispensing camera where you can observe their behavior in real time while offering treats from another area of the home.