4 Tips for a Safe 4th of July for your dog

The Fourth of July can be a joyous celebration for humans, but for our canine companions, the festivities can be overwhelming and even hazardous. The loud fireworks, crowded gatherings, and unfamiliar noises can cause significant stress and anxiety for dogs.

As responsible dog guardians, it's our duty to ensure their safety and well-being during this time. To help you navigate this holiday with your furry friend, we've compiled four essential tips to keep your dog safe and comfortable on the Fourth of July.

Tip #1:  Plan ahead.

As you make plans to celebrate the 4th of July, be sure to include your pup’s needs into your agenda. Attending fireworks may be fun for us, but loud, sudden noises and bright, flashing lights are very stressful for most dogs. Plan on leaving your pup safely at home, indoors while you attend the fireworks.

Plan on exercising your pup earlier in the day so they are ready to have a relaxing evening at home. If you plan on attending any daytime activities with your pup, ensure they are wearing a collar with ID tags and are securely leashed at all times, in case you encounter any firecrackers, or other scary loud noises.

If you know your dog struggles on the 4th of July, talk with your vet and consider a short-term anxiety medication to help calm them. If you can’t get to the vet in time, consider purchasing nonprescription CBD calming aids. You may also consider using a pressure therapy vest, such as the Thundershirt to help your dog relax.

Tip #2: Create a safe space.

The safest place for your dog to be while you’re out enjoying the festivities, is tucked away in their crate. Relocate the crate to the quietest part of the house, such as the basement, and avoid being near any windows.

For added noise dampening, place the crate in a closet and cover with a blanket. Be sure the crate is located somewhere cool so your pup doesn’t overheat. Use a box fan or two to help cool your pup while also creating some white noise.

If your dog is not crate trained, do not add to their stress and confine them to a crate. Instead, confine them to a quiet, interior room of the house, avoiding windows or securely covering them.

Be sure to clear the room of any valuables or hazardous items in case your pup becomes destructive due to stress from the fireworks. Consider putting on a calming movie or sound maker to reduce the noise of loud fireworks. For added calming effects, consider using a pheromone scent therapy plug in within the room.

Tip #3: Provide enrichment.

While your pup is home alone, help keep them relaxed and entertained by providing enrichment treats. Frozen treats such as a bone broth pupsicles or frozen carrots make an excellent option for keeping your pup busy. Licky mats and enrichment toys such as puzzles or snuffle mats are also an excellent choice for engaging your pup’s mind and mouth.

Enrichment treats and toys help keep your pup busy, happy, and distracted during this potentially stressful event. For added calming effects, consider using a high-quality CBD product as your enrichment treat. My favorite brand of CBD treat is hands down Austin and Kat. They offer a wide vairety of high quality CBD treats and products that can be found in boutique pet shops or online.

Tip #4: Avoid high risk situations.

In a perfect world, we would love to have our pups by our side for all fun activities, including the festivities on 4th of July. However, spending long hours in the hot sun, surround by strangers, followed by an evening of loud pops and scary lights, is not your dog’s idea of fun.

Even during the day, it’s not a good idea to bring your dog to loud, novel, 4th of July events. Loud noises and strange sights can scare dogs and cause them to run away. Thousands of dogs go missing every year on the 4th of July because they heard a firecracker, slipped their collar, and bolted. Prevent accidental escapes and avoid loud, chaotic environments such as parades and festivals.

If you do choose to have your dog near 4th of July festivities, be sure to use an extra secure harness in addition to their collar with ID tags. Avoid off leash activities and use extra precautions, even in fenced in areas. When dogs are in panic mode, fences can fail to prevent escape.

If you choose to have your dog along for 4th of July activities, you need to take special care to monitor them for signs of stress and supervise them closely at all times. If you plan on letting loose with some cocktails, it’s best to leave your pup at home, so you can fully relax and enjoy the day while also keeping your pup safe.

Whatever your 4th of July plans, be sure to consider your dog’s needs as well as your own. Avoid an unnecessary tragedy and take extra precautions to keep your pup safe during the festivities. Be sure to like and follow for more practical dog guardian advice!