Fireworks. Cookouts. Warm weather. Patriotic music. Pool parties. Fun in the sun. Fourth of July is one of the most enjoyable holidays to gather with your loved ones. Unfortunately, the holiday can be scary and potentially dangerous for our pets. Here are some Fourth of July pet safety tips to remember during your holiday celebrations, so you can have a fun and hazardous-free time with your pet.

• Keep your pet away from alcoholic beverages. These drinks can be poisonous for your pet, and can lead to him to become intoxicated, weak, depressed or even cause him to go into a coma.
• Do not put sunscreen or bug spray on your pet. Although these products help us humans, they are not for use on animals. They can cause your pet to drool vomit or have diarrhea if accidently ingested.
• Leave your pet at home or have a go-to safe place. You may want your pet to join in on the fun, but if he or she doesn’t like crowds or loud noises, it won’t be a fun experience for either of you. It may be a good idea to leave your pet at home or to put them in a crate during a loud event where they can feel safe and secure (only if they like it and are acclimated to it). If you decide to take your pet, try Ark Naturals’ Happy Traveler – a natural herbal calming formula for stressed, nervous, or anxious pets. This product helps eases anxiety and motion sickness and is great for separation anxiety, travel anxiety, socializing new environments, thunderstorms, fireworks, airline travel, visits to groomers, vets, and kennels.
• Keep matches/lighter fluid away from your pet. Along with children, you want to keep these items away from your pet. You don’t want him to get sick (breathing problems, gastrointestinal irritation, skin irritation) from ingesting either product.
• Be cautious of what you feed them. If you go to a Fourth of July party and decide to feed your pet different foods he isn’t familiar with, he could get diarrhea, experience vomiting, or have other digestive issues. Remember to avoid chocolate, grapes, salt, avocado, raisins, and yeast dough.
• Keep pets away from glow-in-the-dark products. The luminescent substance in these products is toxic and can cause your pet to have drooling or gastrointestinal issues.
• Keep fireworks away from pets. Don’t let your furry friend too close to the fireworks. They are toxic (arsenic, heavy metals) and can cause severe burns and trauma. Fireworks can also cause your pet to become frightened or disoriented by the loud sound. Either keep your pet at home, bring them inside during the show, or use Happy Traveler to ease their anxiety from the noises.
• Watch out for Dangerous Snakes, Frogs and Alligators! The Colorado River Toad (Bufo alvarius) and the Marine Toad (Bufo marinus) are known for their toxic effects on pets. They are most active when the humidity is high and during the early morning hours or after evening has set. Pets will come into contact with these toads when the animal’s food is left outside.
• Properly ID your pet. In case your pet runs off or gets lost in public, be sure your pup has an updated ID tag and that the tag markings are legible. When someone finds him, they can read his tags easily and bring him back home to you quickly.
• Know Your Surroundings. Accidents happen, so it’s important you know where the closest animal hospital is. Maybe your pet eats something he isn’t supposed to or gets hurt. Be sure you have all the necessary documentation in case of emergency.

While making plans for your Fourth of July celebrations, remember to consider your pets. The American Humane Association reported that July 5^th is the busiest day for animal shelters, who have welcomed panicked, lost, or injured pets who ran away due to loud noises. If you know your pet will not do well in crowds or loud noises, you may want to exclude your furry friend from the festivities to keep them happy, secure, and safe.

Ark Naturals is the preeminent brand of health and wellness products for pets. Ark Naturals has created and produced highly effective formulas for over 20 years.  Our products are designed to offer natural remedies for an array of pet care needs including oral care (dental), joint relief, skin & coat remedies, cognitive function, calming, digestion, and overall wellness. All-natural products and revolutionary formulas provide a better, more fulfilling life for your pet.