Be Safe for the Fourth

Independence Day is this Saturday, and many of us will be celebrating all weekend long. As fun as it may be to spend the holiday with your dog, make sure you are in a dog-friendly environment. There are various summertime hazards that can cause harm to your dog, so be aware of the following:

Fireworks: Besides the obvious danger of physical injury from fireworks, your dog can be very frightened by loud noises. This can cause her to become quite anxious, and she may even run away and become lost. Read what Dr. Janet Crosby, Guide to Veterinary Medicine says about noise phobias.

Dangerous Foods: The Fourth of July was made for grilling, and there will be many tasty morsels around that your dog wants. If guests don't know better than to keep their food to themselves and throw garbage in the appropriate places, your dog could get into something dangerous. Hot dogs, hamburgers and other fatty or rich foods can make your dog sick. Or, your dog could choke on discarded bones (especially chicken bones). There are also many people foods that are poisonous to dogs, so be careful.

Heatstroke: Despite all the precautionary words, dogs are still dying from heatstroke every day. You dog can overheat so much faster that you, so use caution when it's hot outside. Stay near her and watch her closely. If you're in doubt, leave your dog indoors and out of harm's way.

Now you are armed to protect your dog, so have fun this weekend and all summer long. You can still include your dog in your plans if you know how to keep her safe. So, what are your plans this weekend?

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