July 4 is coming up, which means Santee's wonderful Fourth of July Santee Salutes Celebration will be happening! And, it's never too early to prepare your pet for the big day, especially those who suffer from anxiety or fear of loud noises and commotion.
Unfortunately, July 5th is the busiest day at shelters across the country as dogs and cats escape and run off in fear and easily get lost.
So, here are Cuyamaca Animal Hospital's best tips for keeping your pet safe during the July 4th festivities!
1. Get your pet microchipped (or update your info if your pet already has one).
When you adopt, most rescues or shelters will make sure your pet has a microchip. However, most people don't realize that that information needs to be updated every time you move, get a new phone number, etc. If you do not have a microchip, we can help. Call us at 619-448-0707 to make your appointment now.
By having an updated microchip, if your pet gets out and someone finds him and takes him to the vet, they can call you by scanning the microchip. This can make all the difference in getting your beloved pet home safely in case he gets out.
2. Make a plan for the day.
Unless your dog is a fan of loud noises and crowds (which most are not!), we highly suggest keeping your pets home during the holiday. Instead, consider putting her in a small, dark, and quiet room or crate with soothing music, a fresh water bowl, and giving extra love and TLC before the firework show begins.
That way, you don't need to worry about him escaping when your back is turned at your family BBQ and the music can help drown out the loud firework booms.
We also recommend making sure your dog had some exercise earlier in the day and had time to do their business to help them relax and not have any accidents during the show. (Would not be fun to return to a brown show display in your home if you get our drift! ;) )
3. Does your pet need sedation? Make the appointment now!
Please don't waste until July 3rd to call your veterinarian about sedation. It's a busy time and we want to make sure that if your pet does need medication, that we have the availability and stock to serve you well!
If your pet suffers from anxiety, fear, or does not do well with loud noises, we highly suggest calling us at 619-488-0707 to make an appointment and one of our trusted veterinarians can go over all of your options to make July 4th as safe and smooth-sailing as possible for your pet family.