Photo Credit: Geckoam via Flickr

Fireworks are a much-loved part of the 4th of July celebration, but unfortunately, for our pets they can often lead to anxiety. “Even the most timid dog can leap a six-foot fence if he’s spooked by loud noises,” says Dr. Pamela Reid, Vice President of the ASPCA Animal Behavior Center. If your dog shows signs of distress from fireworks or boisterous revelers, Dr. Reid suggests giving him a Kong toy stuffed with peanut butter. “The consistent licking should calm his nerves,” she says.

Kongs are available in every size and chewing type. Photo credit: Kong.com

Kong toys are available in sizes for every dog and are readily available at pet stores and some grocery stores. Using organic peanut butter is preferable.  You can also alternate peanut butter with your pet’s regular food in the Kong so it’s more interesting to them.  Another alternative is to fill it with canned food. Be careful, however, to feed foods your pet is used to – now is not a time to introduce a new food.   My dogs like cooked chicken (boiled in chicken broth), cut up and placed in first with extra crunchy organic peanut butter to “seal” it.

Kong offers several “recipes” on their site – here’s a sampling:

Fruit Salad: Apple and carrot chunks 1/4 of a banana – Place apples and carrots in Kong toy. Mush the bananas in large hole to hold fruit in place. You can include other fruits and veggies: orange slices, peach and/or nectarine chunks, celery sticks, broccoli and/or cauliflower, tomato and black olive mixture.

Veggie Kong Omelet: 1egg, shredded cheese, veggies that your pet likes -  Scramble egg and fold in veggies. Put into Kong toy. Sprinkle with cheese over the top and microwave about twenty seconds. Cool thoroughly before giving to pet.

BANANA RAMA: 1 fresh banana, 2 tbs wheat germ, 1 tbs plain or flavored yogurt  – In a bowl, mash up banana. Then, add wheat germ and yogurt. Mash all ingredients together and use spoon to add to Kong. Freeze for 4 hours. Makes 1 serving for Medium Kong. Double for every Kong size that is bigger.

Make sure your pet’s bed is available and filled with his/her favorite toys. Our 55-lb Brittany’s favorite toy is a stuffed bunny.  He’s much more comfortable with it within reach.

Additionally, keeping your pet indoors as much as possible and providing distracting noise can help as well. But nothing works as well as your calming presence.  Unfortunately, fireworks aren’t the only danger to pets during this holiday.  Pets can be exposed to potentially poisonous bits of their human counterparts celebration.

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The ASPCA offers some expert advice to keep your pet safe while you celebrate:

• Keep your pet on the wagon. Since alcohol is potentially poisonous to pets, place all wine, beer and spirits well out of paws’ way.
• Avoid scraps from the grill. Stick with your pet’s normal diet—any change, even for a day, can result in stomach upset. Certain foods like onions, avocado, chocolate, grapes and raisins are especially toxic to pets.
• Avoid lathering your pet with any insect repellent or sunscreen not intended for the four-legged kind. Ingestion can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy.
• Stay fire-smart. Keep your pet away from fireworks, matches, citronella candles and lighter fluid, which if eaten can irritate the stomach, lungs and central nervous system.
• Be cool near the pool. Don’t leave pets unsupervised around a pool or lake—not all dogs are expert swimmers! Also, pools aren’t large water bowls—they contain chlorine and other toxic chemicals that can cause stomach problems.
  

As always, if you suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous from the picnic table, please contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. And be sure to check out our more complete list of holiday pet care tips for a safe and happy Fourth!

Enjoy!

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