Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July!

By Julia Williams

On Independence Day, most people don’t bat an eye when they hear the pop-pop-pop sound of firecrackers going off all day long, or the thunderous boom of fireworks at night. Not me. As a “parent” of three cats who are terrified of those loud noises, I cringe when I see the garishly decorated fireworks stands popping up on every corner.

I dread July 4th and especially nightfall, because I live right across the street from where my town sets off their fireworks display. Those loud booms are unsettling for me; I can only imagine how scary they are for my pets, who have no idea what those noises mean. Are we being invaded? Is the world ending? Where can I hide? At that first boom, my skittish kitties make a beeline for UTB (under the bed) and I usually don’t see them until morning.

It’s made me something of a curmudgeon, hating the Fourth of July when I should be joyously and noisily celebrating freedom and independence like everyone else. Yet, more pets go missing on July 4th than any other day of the year, says the popular adoption site, Petfinder. Emergency pet hospitals also see an upswing of visits.

So while it’s nice to enjoy the backyard barbecues, picnics in the park and fireworks that have become an American tradition on the Fourth, responsible pet owners also need to take precautions to keep their four-legged family members safe (and as stress-free as possible).

Don't take Fido to the fireworks display. This noisy, crowded scene can create anxiety and aggression in even the calmest of canines.

If you plan to set off personal fireworks, be sure to keep your dog in a safe location away from the display. Too many dogs have already been burned and otherwise injured by fireworks; it’s just not worth the risk.

Keep pets indoors and keep windows and doors closed. If your cat is allowed to roam outdoors or your dog spends time in a fenced yard or kennel, on this day it is infinitely safer for them to be indoors. Also be sure they are wearing identification tags in case they do escape.

Puppy Party! A reader sent me this suggestion, which I think is great. Every time there is a loud noise, such as firecrackers or fireworks, loudly and cheerfully announce “Puppy Party!” Run to the cupboard to get their CANIDAE treats. Be excited, be happy, jump up and down, say Hooray!! It’s a party, after all. This helps your dog associate a scary sound with a reward, making a positive connection. I think this idea is worth trying with cats too, but I’m not sure it would be as successful.

Store fireworks out of reach. Fireworks contain substances that are harmful for pets and could even kill them, so be sure they’re kept where dogs, cats and kids can’t get to them. And be sure to clean up the firework debris from your yard immediately after your display.

If you’re having a backyard barbecue, keep your pets away from the people food and make sure your guests know they’re not supposed to slip Fido or Fluffy some of what’s on their plate. (I know, I know…those begging eyes are so hard to resist!). While a taste or two might not hurt them, some of the foods we humans enjoy could cause digestive upsets for our pets, and some people food is actually toxic. Why risk it? It’s best to make all people food off limits and just give your pet their regular food.

For pets that are frightened by fireworks, try playing classical music or turning the TV on to mask the noise. Some people have had success with Thundershirts, pheromone diffusers, and natural calming essences. For the truly terrified, it’s not a bad idea to enclose them in a room with a few of their favorite toys, a soft blanket and/or their comfy pet bed.

The last place you want to be on the Fourth of July is at the emergency vet clinic. That would be a major buzzkill, for sure. However, with just a few precautions, you can enjoy your Fourth of July holiday while keeping your furry friend(s) safe and sound. What are your plans for the day?

Read more articles by Julia Williams

Teaching Pet Safety Rules to Kids

By Langley Cornwell

The dogs we share our lives with now have never been around young children. The one time that my sister-in-law brought her grandchild to our home, our dogs cowered in the corner of our bedroom during their entire visit.

If we are out taking a walk with our dogs and a young child runs towards us, we step between the child and the dog and divert the kid’s attention. We’re just not sure what would happen. Since we aren’t around kids often, we have not properly socialized our dogs in that area, and I’m sure we’re not the only ones.

In order to avoid any potential issues, why not err on the side of caution? If you are a parent of young children, it’s important to teach them sound pet safety rules.

If your child is approached by a strange dog

In these circumstances, it’s important to teach your kid to:

• Stand tall and firm, like a tree.
• Keep her hands down at her sides.
• Stare straight ahead. Don’t look at the dog. If your child looks into the dog’s eyes, the dog may interpret that as an invitation to fight.
• Stay still, never try to run away. Dogs have a prey drive and love to chase moving objects, even children.
• Keep quiet. Calling for help or screaming out of fear may scare the dog.
• When the dog loses interest, back away slowly, one step at a time.

If your child follows these steps, most dogs will simply take a few curious sniffs and then turn away. Still, it’s important to let your child know what to do if she is ever attacked by a dog. If the unthinkable happens and a dog attacks, your child must curl up in a tight ball and cover her face with her hands.

Adding a four-legged friend to your family

We all know how important it is to have a family pet. As far as kids are concerned, growing up with a pet is known to teach cooperation, increase self-esteem and help develop nurturing skills. What’s more, bringing a pet into your family allows the creation of an unconditional, loving bond that brings incalculable joy to the household.

Even so, before you bring a pet home it’s your responsibility to teach your kids a few basic rules to protect against issues like scratches and bites, which are often caused by children not understanding that they shouldn’t approach an animal suddenly, chase him, corner him, try to ride him, or yank on his tail.

In these circumstances, it’s important to teach your child to:

• Never approach any animal, even your own pet, when he is eating, chewing on a toy, sleeping, or resting in his crate.
• Avoid approaching an animal from behind.
• Never touch an animal’s eyes, ears, nose, mouth or genitals.
• Don’t make loud noises or abrupt movements when approaching an animal.
• Leave a mother animal alone when she is caring for her young.
• Always pet animals gently. Don’t pull on them or force them to do anything.
• Ask an adult before approaching any animal she doesn’t know.
• If the adult says the pet is friendly, your child should extend her hand with the palm facing up and slowly offer it to the pet for sniffing.
• Stay away from a dog or cat’s waste, which can transfer disease.

A few additional tips to keep in mind:

• Never leave a young child unsupervised with any animal. It’s just not worth the risk.
• Don’t let your child stand near a dog during times of heightened concentration or excitement. For example, the child should cut a wide berth while a dog is eating, when someone rings the doorbell, or when the dog is barking at a person, bird or squirrel, etc. in the yard.
• To encourage bonding, allow your child to offer your pet high-value treats such as CANIDAE TidNips.

Please take this opportunity to teach your child that a pet is a living creature with needs and feelings. As such, they must be cared for and respected. Pets rely on their families for companionship and loving care, and for that small price, they give so much back in return.

Top photo by Mollypop
Bottom photo by Beth Nazario

Read more articles by Langley Cornwell