How to Keep Pets Safe This Holiday Weekend

Check out these helpful tips on how to keep pets safe this holiday weekend (RSPCA):

Make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise before the fireworks start – If you can make sure your pet is feeling well exercised they may have less nervous energy when the loud fireworks start. The more tired they are the less likely they are to feel the need to run around if they get scared.
Do not leave your furry friend outside and close all the doors and windows – You don’t want them to get spooked outside or slip through a gate or open window.
Keep them somewhere they feel safe – Put your pet in a room where they are comfortable and have everything they need (food/water/litter box). Your pet may feel most secure in a closet or under the couch. Let your pet go wherever they are feeling the most comfortable.
Keep them distracted – Offer your pet lots of playtime! You can make your pet toy to keep them preoccupied during the fireworks. If you make them a treat toy or a frozen treat it could keep them busy for hours. If they get scared or anxious from the loud noises of the fireworks you can close the doors and blinds, and turn on a radio or TV to drown it out.
Make sure your pet’s tag is on their collar – If your pet does get out our Lost Pet System will help get them home safe.

Try making your dog a security wrap – There are companies that make a compression vest that makes your dog feel secure but you can DIY your own version at home.
Make your cat a “cat cave” so they have somewhere to hide if they need to. Find out how to DIY a cat cave with just a box and a t-shirt.
Try aromatherapy for your dog – There are blends of botanical and floral essences that are marketed to help calm your dog when they are feeling anxious. You can rub them on your dog’s belly or ears to help alleviate their stress.
Try catnip for your cat – The catnip plant contains an oil called “nepetalactone.” When cats smell nepetalactone, it stimulates special receptors that sense chemicals called “pheromones.” The result is a kind of chemical reaction that gives the cat a sense of euphoria or calm. It is non-toxic to cats and they can usually sense when they’ve had enough. But over-eating fresh catnip can upset your kitty’s stomach, so moderation is key.
Consider having someone stay home with your pet while you go watch the show. Sometimes all your four-legged friend will need to feel safe a secure is someone to snuggle with until the loud noises are over.

Let your guests know ahead of time that you have an animal in the house/yard that could get out – With people coming in and out there are lots of opportunities for your pet to slip through an open door. Make sure your pet’s DocuPet tag is on their collar just in case!
Be careful about your guests feeding your pup human food – It can be tempting to feed your dog food off the grill and hard to say no to those puppy dog eyes when he asks for your burger, but some human foods can be upsetting to your dog’s stomach and other foods, like cooked chicken bones, can be dangerous.
If you’re heading out to a party you might want to leave your dog at home – Not everyone understands that feeding a dog unfamiliar foods can be bad for them and if there are little kids around it’s tough to keep track of who is feeding them and what they’re getting.

Firework debris – If you put on a backyard fireworks show be sure to clean up the remaining bits of debris. The debris left over from fireworks can be toxic if it gets eaten by your pets.
Balloons – If you had balloons make sure to clean up any bits of popped balloons. The rubber can be a choking hazard for your pet.

Do you have any tips on how you keep pets safe this holiday weekend? Share them with us on our Facebook Or Twitter!