4th of July Reminders for FIDO
June 29, 2023 • Trends • Health & Wellness
Summertime picnics and outdoor gatherings are the perfect opportunities to bring the entire family together – including our dogs. Before furry friends join in on the festivities, Embrace Pet Insurance is sharing important tips to keep dogs safe during Independence Day barbecues and fireworks shows.
Pet-friendly BBQ treats
While sharing your favorite barbecue foods might be tempting, keep in mind that many summertime favorites can be toxic for your pet. In fact, there is an 11% increase in the number of foreign body claims around the Fourth of July holiday compared to the rest of the year. According to recent data from Embrace, the cost of a diagnosis for foreign body ingestion has increased by 57.47% since 2019, bringing the average cost of a claim for foreign body ingestion up to $1,644.
Avoid a costly trip to the emergency vet office by avoiding foods like corn on the cob, grapes, onions and pineapple core, and only share small amounts of these pet-friendly treats:
- Hamburgers and Hot Dogs
- Grilled or Baked Veggies
- Fruit
Be sure to keep a watchful eye on what may be dropped on the ground by others. Keep plastic utensils, bottle caps and cooked bones out of reach as they can easily be snagged by your pet.
Fireworks
Many dogs are afraid of the loud noises that come with firework shows. It’s important to never leave your pet unattended outside, as many will try to escape in reaction to the sound. Luckily, it is never too late to train your pet on how to be calm during the shows:
- Practice Noise Exercises - In the weeks leading up to the holiday, practice noise exercises with your pup to potentially desensitize them to the fireworks noise. Play audio recordings of fireworks or alarms and follow up with treats to relieve them of anxiety.
- Offer a Safe and Quiet Space - Give your dog a safe place they can go to avoid the outside commotion. A room without windows, or their crate, is a perfect place for them to retreat. Make sure they have a comfortable dog bed, pillows and blankets to help them relax. You can even turn on the television or quiet music as background noise.
- Navigating Extreme Anxiety - Dogs that experience extreme anxiety during firework shows may become destructive out of fear. Consider talking to your veterinarian to see if your pet would benefit from prescription medicines or CBD oil to ease their stress.
Embrace Pet Insurance is a proud sponsor of our 15th Annual pet adoption tour, Get Your Licks on Route 66®.
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