Offering Some General Advice On How To Keep Your Pets Safe During Memorial Day Weekend Festivities
Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, a time for barbecues, beach trips, and outdoor fun. While you’re planning festivities, it’s crucial to consider the safety and well-being of your pets. Here are some essential tips to ensure your furry friends enjoy the holiday as much as you do, without any risk.
BBQ Hazards
Memorial Day often means grilling and cookouts. However, the delicious smells and tastes can pose serious dangers to pets. The most common being food. Most common barbecue foods are harmful to pets. This includes things like fatty meats, onions, garlic, grapes, chocolate, and anything with seasoning.
Therefore, avoid giving your pets any scraps or people food during Memorial Day cookouts. Instead, offer pet-safe treats like frozen fruits & veggies for dogs or frozen tuna treats for cats.
Additionally, hot surfaces pose a serious threat to your pets as well. Be sure to keep pets away from hot grills and coals to prevent burns. It’s also a good idea to have a first aid kit on standby just in case.
Hydration & Shade
One of the most important things you can do for your pets this Memorial Day weekend is keep them hydrated. Provide multiple water bowls for your pets and be sure to replenish them at least twice a day. Also, avoid putting outdoor water bowls in direct sunlight as this can lead to algae build up and turn the water hot.
Additionally, make sure your pets have plenty of access to shade, especially during peak sun hours. Pets don’t sweat the way people do and can therefore overheat quickly. Too much exposure to the sun can lead to heatstroke and other health complications.
Outdoor Hazards
Your pets will probably want to get outside and enjoy the summer weather. However, the outdoors can be full of potential hazards. One of which is toxic plants. There are many Spring & Summer plants and flowers that are toxic to pets if ingested. For a full list of all the plants & flowers that are toxic to pets, click here.
Additionally, be cautious of various pests like fleas, ticks, and mosquitos. These pests can carry deadly diseases like lyme disease or heartworm. Therefore, we recommend using flea & tick medicine as well as heartworm medicine before letting your pets outdoors.
Fireworks And Loud Noises
Many pets are scared of loud noises. This is especially true when it comes to fireworks. Many pets, especially dogs, have been known to run away from home during firework presentations. As a pet owner, the best thing you can do for your pets during fireworks is to create a calm and comfortable environment for them.
This includes giving them their own designated room, preferably a finished basement or guest room. In this safe space, provide them with a pet bed, blankets, and a few toys. Additionally, you can also give your pets calming treats or cbd oil to help lower their anxiety. Lastly, try putting on some soft music to drown out the sound of the booming fireworks. All of these things should help keep your pets calm and relaxed during Memorial Day fireworks.
Travel Safely
If you’re traveling with pets, your top priority should be their safety and comfort. Use a well-ventilated carrier for small pets and a harness or seat belt for larger dogs. Additionally, make frequent stops for bathroom breaks, hydration, and a chance for your pets to stretch their legs. Also, never leave your pets in the car unattended. Leaving pets unsupervised in a car can pose various health risks like heatstroke and leaving them alone will only increase their anxiety.
Lost Pet Prevention
As previously mentioned, pets often run away during Memorial Day weekend on account of their fear of fireworks. Therefore, it’s vitally important that their ID tags are visible and up-to-date should your pet run away or go missing. Additionally, consider having your pet microchipped. Pet microchips are a more reliable way of identifying lost pets and will help increase the odds of your lost pet being returned to you.
For more information about pet microchips, click here.
Swimming Safety
If your Memorial Day plans include water activities, like swimming or boating, take safety precautions when it comes to your pets. This includes always supervising your pets around water, even if they are strong swimmers. Additionally, consider using a pet life jacket for added safety, especially in boats or unfamiliar waters. Lastly, be sure to rinse your pet with fresh water after swimming, to remove chlorine or salt. This will help prevent skin irritation and make them smell better.
First Aid Preparedness
Even with all of the aforementioned safety precautions, accidents can still happen. Therefore, it’s very important to be prepared beforehand. We recommend keeping a first aid kit handy just in case your pet should be injured. To learn more about what items should be in your pet first aid kit, click here.
A Fun & Safe Holiday
Memorial Day Weekend is a wonderful time to enjoy with family, friends, and pets. By taking the aforementioned precautions, you can ensure that your pets are safe, comfortable, and happy throughout the celebrations. Remember that a little planning can go a long way in preventing potential hazards and making the holiday enjoyable for everyone, including your furry friends.
Hire A Pet Sitter This Memorial Day!
If you or someone you know is looking for a pet sitter or dog walker, then look no further than My Dog Walker & Pet Sitting. We are fully insured & bonded and have over 10 years of experience working with animals. Click here to check out our wide variety of pet sitting services including in-home pet sitting and routine dog walking.
We currently service the Medford, Medford Lakes, Shamong, and Tabernacle, NJ areas. To become a client, click here or give us a call at 856-217-2781. Be sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram too! We post new content regularly, so be sure to follow us so you don’t miss out on adorable pictures of our pets.