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Happy Fourth of July!

Top Safety Tips for Your Dog

This Fourth of July when you’re firing up the barbeque and getting ready to head out for fireworks, don’t forget the pets in your life. While Independence Day is a favorite for people across the country, it is one that causes a lot of stress and fear in companion animals.

Follow these tips from the ASPCA to ensure that your pets have a happy and safe Fourth of July:

  1. patriotic dog wagging tails pet resortAvoid insect repellant. Unless it is a product made for pets, do not put it on your dog. This includes citronella which is an irritating toxin to pets and can cause severe respiratory illnesses and harm the nervous system if ingested.
  2. Avoid fireworks. As tempting as it may be to bring your dog to a fireworks display, the noises and crowds from this festive environment can be frightening and cause panic in animals. This is also true for smaller fireworks used in your backyard. If there will be fireworks, leave your dog at home.
  3. Skip the glow jewelry. It may be cute or seem safe to put a glowing necklace on your dog, but they are easy to chew and can cause gastrointestinal irritation if ingested as well as intestinal blockage if swallowed.
  4. No table food! Backyard barbeques are ripe with treats that are potential hazards to your pets, some of these include: onions, coffee, avocado, grapes, raisins, and alcohol. Stay safe and stick to sharing dog treats with your best-friend.
  5. Watch lighter fluid and matches. Lighter fluid and matches often contain harmful chemical substances that can cause damage if ingested, irritation on contact and respiratory problems if inhaled. Protect your dog by keeping these barbeque tools out of reach.


The simplest way to ensure your dog’s safety during the Fourth of July is to keep her indoors. If your pet will be outdoors during the celebrations, make sure that they are wearing current identification in case they become separated from you.

Happy Fourth of July!

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