Fourth of July, while a great celebration of our nation’s independence, is one of the worst holidays for anxiety-stricken dogs.  Fireworks, while pretty to look at, can be frightening and even down-right terrifying to our pets.  Dogs afraid of thunder are most certainly going to be fearful of fireworks. If you head out with your family to watch the fireworks, make sure your dog has a safe, quiet (ideally, soundproof) place to rest during the rockets’ red glare.

So, the makers of The Thundershirt have teamed up with online pet-parenting website Pet360.com to host a Twitter chat, along with holistic veterinarian Patrick Mahaney, to chat about how to best help our pets during the Fourth of July and thunderstorm season.  If you’ve got an anxious pet, you won’t want to miss this chat – it’s being held on Sunday, July 1st starting at 7 pm EST.  Just look for the hashtag #petanxiety to join the conversation.

But even besides fireworks, the common trappings of Independence Day—cookouts, hot, humid weather—all pose a danger to dogs, says LizRozanski, DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC, associate professor of clinical sciences at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Keeping these in mind will help you keep your dog safe during the celebration:

  • Shish kabobs and other foods-on-a-stick pose a special danger to dogs, who can ingest them and wind up with fragments which can cause blockages or gastrointestinal perforations, says Dr. Rozanski, who is section head of emergency care at Tufts’ Foster Hospital for Small Animals, one of the nation’s busiest academic veterinary emergency rooms. Bones can also splinter inside a dog’s digestive tract. Keep pets clear of chicken wings and don’t give them bones from the meat you grill.
  • Other foods can be toxic to dogs. The garlic in your favorite marinade, the grapes and raisins in your fruit salad, or the chocolate in your brownies can all cause harm. Keep them out of your dog’s reach.
  • A little food at the cookout is fun for dogs—let them enjoy the party. But “people” food adds up quickly, so have your guests, especially kids, check in with you before feeding Fido their scraps. Letting dogs overeat can cause vomiting or more serious problems.
  • During the hot, humid months, heat stroke and exhaustion are a special concern for canines. Make sure they have plenty of water.  Put some ice cubes in it for a special treat, Dr. Rozanski says, and provide a shady spot to lie down. If your dog is panting excessively, shows signs of lethargy or has dry gums, call your veterinarian right away.
  • During warm weather, never leave pets in the car. Any outside temperature above 65 degrees is especially worrisome, Dr. Rozanski says. Leave pets at home in a cool, safe place.

The Fourth of July holiday is a great time for everyone to have fun. And by following these few easy tips, you can ensure that you and your pet can enjoy Independence Day together safely.  I hope to see you at the twitter chat!