Keep Your Pet Safe on Independence Day

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But when you’re heading to the National Mall for the fireworks display or enjoying other summertime festivities, it may be best to leave the pets at home. Check out some safety tips from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): 

Keep alcohol out of reach

There’s nothing like a cold beer on a hot day…. Just be sure to keep it out of reach of your pets. If ingested, it could cause pets to become severely depressed, go into a coma and in extreme cases, have respiratory failure. 

Read your sunscreen and insect repellent labels

Insects will likely be buzzing around your pets when they’re outside. But as much as we want to protect them, be sure you’re using repellent or sunscreen meant for pets. Regular repellents containing DEET can cause neurological damage, and ingestion of these products may result in vomiting and diarrhea. 

Put your lighter fluid away

After you’re done barbecuing, be sure to put your lighter fluid away, and keep it in a place your pet can’t reach while you’re using it. Ingesting lighter fluid or eating matches can cause serious breathing problems, pneumonia and gastrointestinal irritation. 

Don’t feed your pets anything unusual

If steak and spareribs aren’t the norm for your pets’ diet, then keep it that way. Though it’s tempting to give in to their hungry, puppy-dog eyes, changing their diets in even a small way can give your pets indigestion and diarrhea. 

Glow sticks are for the kids, not the pets

Don’t allow your kids to put glow jewelry on your pets. The luminescent substance can be harmful to their stomachs, and swallowing the plastic can cause severe blockage.

Pets and fireworks don’t mix

Keep any fireworks you have away from your pets. They can be harmful, even if they’re unused. And while we might want to bring them along to enjoy the sparkly show, the loud noises and crowds won’t be any fun for your pet.