It’s official…summer is here and our pets depend on us to take good care of them during these warm months. Make sure your pets stay cool and well-hydrated when it’s hot, and of course, NEVER leave your pets unattended in a hot car…even with the windows cracked and parked in the shade.

With 4^th of July fireworks celebrations just a couple of weeks away, now is the perfect time to make sure that your dogs and cats stay calm, cool, and collected during this holiday. More pets go missing during the 4^th of July than at any other time of year, so it’s especially important to follow these simple pet safety tips. Added bonus: they apply to summer thunderstorms too!

• Keep dogs and cats inside during fireworks, preferably in a comfortable isolated room. Put on the radio or TV to drown out the booms and provide dogs with chew toys as a distraction.
• Give your pets plenty of play and exercise during the early part of the day, so that they will be more inclined to rest during nighttime fireworks.
• Now is a good time to make sure that your dogs and cats have proper ID and that their microchip information is up to date, just in case they do escape.
• Anxious pets may appreciate calming apparel like the popular ThunderShirt during loud fireworks. Talk to your vet about medication if your pet is super-nervous.

• Don’t take your dogs with you to fireworks displays. The big crowds and close proximity to the fireworks may be too much for them to handle.
• Keep pets securely inside if you or your neighbors plan to set off any fireworks of your own outside the house.
• If your 4^th of July celebrations include an outdoor party, be sure to keep pets away from hot barbecue grills, alcohol, and insect repellants.