Independence Day
Independence Day, 4th of July. When most people hear these words they think of the American flag, patriotism, celebrations and fireworks. Dogs, however, do not have such happy associations with this holiday. To a dog, 4th of July can mean intense heat and fear due to the fireworks displays going on all around them. Some dogs are so afraid of fireworks that they may crash through a window in their anxiety. Others are not quite so fearful but may cause destruction to your home. Please see the article "Fear of Fireworks," if you have similar problems with your dog.
There are other dangers for dogs associated with the 4th of July as well. Many people celebrate the holiday by attending outdoor community activities and barbeques. While it may be tempting to bring your best friend along with you to celebrate, there are a number of reasons why it may be better to leave Fido home.
Usually, the 4th of July is a hot day. While you may be uncomfortable due to the heat, at least you can sweat. Fido is wearing a fur coat and must rely on panting to cool his body temperature down. Dogs are very sensitive to the heat and can suffer from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If it is an extremely hot day, you may want to leave your dog home so you don't have to make a holiday trip to your veterinarian. If you do need to bring your dog along, bring plenty of water and find a shady spot where he can rest. Be sure that he is not exercising under the hot midday sun. You must also keep a close eye on your dog. Even if you are confident that he will come when called, if someone sets off fireworks in the area he may become very scared and run off. Be sure that your dog is under your control so this doesn't happen to you.
If you are having a barbeque, make sure that Fido doesn't get into too many table scraps. Chicken bones are very dangerous as they can become lodged in the throat or intestinal tract and may require surgery to remove them. Sometimes a bone fragment can perforate the intestine, resulting in a veterinary emergency. Fatty hamburgers and steaks are not good for your dog either. If your dog is not used to a high-fat diet this can cause abdominal pain and pancreatitis due to the dietary change.
Dogs are very sensitive to the sounds of fireworks, and many dogs become very agitated when they hear them over and over, such as on the 4th of July. This is due to the extraordinary sense of hearing that dogs possess, and also the fact that a dog does not understand where these loud sounds are coming from. Please do not bring your dog to a fireworks display, and be sure that he is wearing his collar and tags so you can be quickly reunited if he escapes from your house during the celebration.
Fireworks themselves pose another danger to your dogs. Dogs do not understand the danger associated with fireworks, and may get burned if they get too close to people setting them off. Even a sparkler planted in the ground can be a hazard if your dog is very intent on sniffing it.
4th of July is a great holiday for Americans, and many people really enjoy participating in outdoor events and fireworks displays. Leaving your dog home in a secure environment will minimize his chances of getting hurt and maximize your enjoyment of the day.