Pet Safety for July 4th

The 4th of July is upon us, which means fireworks, picnics, summer heat and more fireworks. Make sure to take precautions for your pet during this holiday and keep them safe.

Fireworks

They are loud and stressful...for your pet. Loud sounds can cause your pet to feel anxious and frightened. They will even run away if they get too upset.

Follow these tips for firework safety:

• Keep them inside the house
• If you leave, put them in a crate or small room like a bathroom
• Prevent them from chewing on used fireworks by cleaning up the yard and street
• Have them microchipped and keep ID tags updated in case they run away
• Check into Thunder Shirt, a special shirt that can help keep them secure and calm

Cook Outs and Picnics

Remember to not feed your pet table scraps, especially meat bones and corn on the cob, as they could cause an obstruction and harm your pet. So your pet is included with the fun, have them eat their own food and treats while you eat your meal (although, they will probably spend the entire time begging, at least they are being offered their own food and not yours).

The Heat

Just remember that July is a hot month and to keep your pet comfortable and hydrated. Don't leave them in a hot car, even if it's in the shade. Keep the pads of the feet off hot cement and asphalt as much as possible or get special booties. 

Have a good time with your pet on this special holiday and be safe! 

Pet Appreciation Week

How much do you love your pet?

This week is pet appreciation week, which is the perfect time to remember how much you love your pet. How many times has he or she helped you through a hard time? Made you laugh when you're feeling blue? Given you warm, wet kisses?

We all have times when our pet knew exactly what we needed. Maybe it was the time your bird started singing Michael Jackson to cheer you up, or your puppy started chasing its tail and made you laugh when you were angry about something. Your pets can sense when something is not right and they try their best to help you in any way possible. They will always love you no matter what.

This week, remember all the fond memories about your pets. Maybe you can recall your chameleon smiling at you, even when he wasn't. Or the time your dog had a really fun adventure in the mud outside and then sprawled out on your white couch. They drive us crazy sometimes, but we absolutely love them. They are part of the family!

Take time this week and remember how much you appreciate your pets. They won't always be around and you should cherish everything about them.