As the Fourth of July approaches, Camp Bow Wow, a prominent dog daycare and boarding provider, is offering essential tips to help pet parents ensure their dogs’ safety and inclusion during the holiday. The patriotic celebration is noted as the year’s most dangerous day for pets, with a significant increase in lost pet reports.
According to Pet Amber Alert, there is a 30-60% rise in lost pet reports between July 4th and 6th annually. The Animal Rescue Site also identifies July 5th as the busiest day for animal shelters, primarily due to pets fleeing from holiday festivities.
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“The combination of loud noises, crowds, and summer heat creates a perfect storm of stress for many dogs during Independence Day celebrations,” said Erin Askeland, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, Camp Bow Wow’s animal health and behavior expert. “With some thoughtful planning, pet parents can keep their dogs safe while still including them in the fun.”
Askeland provides five key tips for safely involving dogs in popular Fourth of July activities:
- Parades:
- Safety: For dogs comfortable in crowds, find a quiet viewing spot early, keep them leashed with ID tags, and provide ample water.
- Fun: Confident dogs can join as “mini-marchers” with decorated harnesses and leashes or other patriotic accessories.
- Fireworks Shows:
- Safety: It’s generally safest to leave dogs at home in a secure, quiet space with white noise or calming music. Use anxiety vests, pheromone spray, and lick mats to reduce stress.
- Fun: Engage pups in a calm activity like a snuffle mat or frozen treat in their secure space during the festivities, after an early outdoor walk.
- Backyard Barbecues:
- Safety: Designate a dog-safe area with shade and fresh water, keeping pets away from grills, hot surfaces, and toxic foods such as onions and grapes.
- Fun: Set up a treat-foraging game in the yard, away from the cooking area, by tossing favorite treats in the grass for them to find.
- Block Parties:
- Safety: Keep dogs leashed, provide space from overwhelming crowds, offer fresh drinking water, and check pavement temperatures to protect paws. Be prepared to leave if the dog shows signs of stress (panting, yawning, lip-licking, avoidance).
- Fun: Consider creating a dog-friendly zone with a small bubble machine or pup pool.
- Water Activities:
- Safety: Use canine life vests for dogs who aren’t strong swimmers and always supervise water play. Prevent dogs from drinking pool or lake water by providing fresh alternatives, and check for hot sand or pool decking that could burn paw pads.
- Fun: Bring floating toys for fetch in shallow water and set up shaded rest areas with cooling mats.
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For pet parents unable to stay home or bring their dogs to celebrations, Camp Bow Wow offers boarding services with indoor, climate-controlled play yards and secure cabins to help dogs rest away from holiday stressors. New campers can enjoy their first day free by signing up at campbowwow.com.
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