Happy 4th of July weekend!

Some pets tend to be anxious or nervous around large gatherings of people and loud, unexpected noises, such as fireworks. 

Here are a few tips to keep your dogs and cats safe during the 4^th: 

• Create a safe space for them inside your home, away from potential disturbances.
• Never leave alcoholic beverages unattended in areas where pets can reach them and avoid the urge to feed your pets table scraps or other foods intended for people. Be especially careful to keep them away from common foods that are toxic to pets.
• Keep citronella candles, insect coils and tiki torch oil products out of reach. Ingestion can produce nervous system disorders, according to the ASPCA. 
• Keep horses and livestock in safely fenced areas and as far from the excitement and noise as possible.
• Do not put glow jewelry on your pets or allow them access to these items, the ASPCA recommends. While the luminescent substance contained in these products is not highly toxic, gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestions, and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers.
• Speak with your veterinarian beforehand if you have concerns your pet may have a noise phobia.
• If your dog or cat is afraid of loud noises like fireworks or thunderstorms, we offer ANXITANE^® (L-Theanine) Chewable Tablets, which promotes relaxation in dogs and cats that are exhibiting nervousness, environmentally induced stress, or are prone to anxious behaviors. 
• Another option is ZENIDOG^® Pheromone Products, a gel diffuser and collar made specifically for dogs. Both are designed to help manage stress-related behaviors in dogs, using an analogue of a dog-appeasing pheromone naturally emitted by nursing mother dogs. 
• Check your yard for fireworks debris before allowing pets outside to play or relax. Even if you didn’t set off fireworks yourself, debris can make its way into your yard, allowing curious pets access to potentially harmful material. 

Have a happy and safe 4th of July!