Family, Friends, Food, Fireworks and Fun! Can You Spot the Inherent Dangers to Your Pet in These?

  Posted on July 2, 2012  by Joy of Living  No comments

The Spirit of Bo, returning to wish you all a safe Fourth of July and to caution you about the inherent dangers of this holiday to your pets:

It’s party time, that I know. Food, fun, friends and fireworks abound! You should enjoy the celebration, but you should also be mindful of your pets, as this can be a traumatic and potentially dangerous day for them.

We all know that fireworks can cause great anxiety in pets. The noise alone can send some dogs into great distress. Never leave your pet outside or unattended. It is best to keep your pets inside and remain with them if possible. Some dogs have been known to jump through plate glass windows or even gnaw their way out of crates due to the high level of stress the extra noise and festivities create for them. It can be a very trying experience for them, if not dangerous or potentially lethal if they injure themselves trying to escape the noise.

However, there are also other dangers on this big day. Having a backyard barbeque?  Those corn cobs, ribs, and shish kabobs can all cause gastrointestinal distress should your dog nab a few. They can also experience inflammation of the pancreas. Cats, too, can suffer from obstructions in the stomach or intestines should they happen to ingest any backyard party food.

Those backyard parties also tend to invite bees and wasps. If stung by one of these, your pet could develop an allergic reaction and show signs of facial swelling, hives, itchiness, diarrhea and vomiting. Please take him to the vet immediately should any of this occur.

Then there is the heat. It’s probably going to be a hot one this Fourth of July. If your dog is outside with you, make sure he has access to shade and cool, fresh water. If your pet is tired, collapses or starts showing signs of belabored breathing, get him medical attention immediately.

By keeping these tips in mind, you should have a safe and fun holiday! Kaboom!

Thanks to healthypet.com for this great information!