Pet Safety Tips For 4th Of July Weekend On Long Island

LONG ISLAND, NY — Get ready to fire up the grill and deck yourself in red, white and blue, as the 4th of July is right around the corner!

While Independence Day is a reminder to reflect and remember those who fought for every American to have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, it is also important to know how to protect our pets during the holiday weekend.

"The July 4th holiday may be lots of fun for you and your family but may pose a very dangerous situation for your family pet," the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced in a news release.

Roy Gross, chief of the Suffolk County SPCA, warned to not feed BBQ scraps to a dog, as it may cause gastrointestinal problems. People were advised to keep dogs on a regular diet and ask guests not to give table food to pets.

Any change, even for one meal, can give a pet severe indigestion and diarrhea, according to Gross. Foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes and raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to pets.

There are also concerns as far as fireworks go, according to Gross.

"Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, so please resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities," the SPCA stated. "Instead, keep your little guys safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home. Turn on some music to drown out noise from fireworks. Make sure your pet always wears a collar and identification tag."

Neighborhood celebrations contain loud fireworks and sparklers that are very hot, according to the SPCA. People are urged to use the same caution for pets as they have for children.

The Town of Smithtown also offered some firework safety tips for pets.

"If your pet tends to be scared or hides during thunderstorms, it is likely fireworks also terrify them," the town wrote. "Dogs with hypersensitive hearing or muscle injuries/inflammation can also feel pain due to fireworks. When animals are scared or in pain, they seek safe shelter away from the source. There are a number of things you can do to alleviate the stress of fireworks."

• Plan to keep your pets indoors away from windows when fireworks are going off. Do not bring your dog out to watch the colorful display in the sky. Do not leave dogs tethered to leashes outdoors.
• Create hiding spaces for cats and dogs a few days prior to festivities.
• Check your dog's harness or collar, which should be tightly fastened and equipped with identification tags. In the event your dog gets out of the home, identification tags will make it easier to reach you, if the dog is found.
• If your pet needs anti-anxiety medications to cope, be sure to work with your vet to ensure you have an ample supply for the duration of the long weekend. Contact your veterinarian well ahead of the holiday.
• If your pets have been microchipped, take time before the holiday weekend to check that the chip is active and all information is current. Contact your vet if you cannot find your pet's microchip information.
• Check for holes underneath yard fencing which a dog or cat can use to escape from the noise. Secure your windows and doors. Additionally, you can close window curtains and use household items like fans, air-conditioning units, televisions, and radios to assist in drowning out the sounds.
• Always contact your vet for advice or recommendations prior to trying calming aids or products.
• Prior to the evening hours, if the weather permits, try to get your dog out for some rigorous exercise which will tire them out and lower stress levels.