Avoiding Pet-mageddon: It's Almost The Fourth!

Oh joy. It is almost the Fourth of July. Every pet owner's favorite day of the year, followed closely by Anal Gland Expression Day or Give The Cat A Bath Day.

Give The Cat A Bath Day? That's not really a thing, is it? 

Pets hate the 4th of July. We understand fireworks. Pets do not. Which is why July 5th is for animal shelters what Black Friday is for retail outlets - the busiest day of the year. Only without the presents, the profits and the people beating each other over $2 waffle irons.* But July 5th still is bedlam - a mess of lost, terrified pets and heartbroken owners. 

They were fighting over waffle irons? Seriously? 

Why? Because when things start blowing up, pets run. It doesn't matter where, how, or in which direction. They just flee in terror trying to find a place without the terrifying booms and bright lights. Having amazing hearing, this is nearly impossible as they can hear fireworks from miles and miles off. 

In general, pets are about as happy about fireworks as Mortie was about his new haircut...

This stinks. I look like a Chippendales dancer. 

Just add in a heavy dose of panic, terror, adrenaline and the sort of mad escape skills that only pets (and action movie heroes) can pull off. 

Some friendly advice for pet owners to make this whole thing go down a little easier:

Microchip Your Pet. 

To badly misquote Beyonce, 'if you like it then you should have put a chip in it'. 

Dance it out, kitty. 

Anything, when terrified enough, will get out of a collar. Cats are particularly fantastic at this. Chips help pets get home quickly by acting as permanent identification. It's not a doggy lo-jack but if your pet shows up in a shelter or is brought in to a vet, it's getting an immediate round trip ticket back to your place. Or you're at least immediately getting a call to come pick it up. Microchipping your pet is very similar to getting a vaccine - it goes in on a needle in a split second. We do it at our vaccine clinic. 

In fact, we so badly want you to microchip your pet that we even offer it as a walk in service at our Medical Center. No appointment needed. $45. Just come in. Hours are here. 

We love your pets so much that we don't want to give them three hots and a cot. We want them home safe with you. Take us up on this. 

Contain Your Pet.

Let me out! Things are blowing up!!

Do not leave your dog in the yard or your cat aside. Do not leave them in the garage. Bring them into your house and make sure doors and windows are shut. Just because your pet hasn't escaped before doesn't mean they won't when the world sounds like Armageddon. And some animals are especially adept at escaping. 

Why is everyone looking at the me? It's the husky thing, isn't it?

Yes, Mailo. We are looking at your husky-licious little self when we talk about some animals being super adept at escaping.

Seriously, keep your pet in a safe, comfortable, contained spot until things stop exploding. A little white noise wouldn't hurt either - turn on some cartoons or NPR or something. 

Don't Take Pets To Fireworks Displays. 

No. Just...no. Is this even a question?

Seriously, don't. They won't get the same thrill out of it that you will. Unless by 'thrill' you mean 'holy deathly terror'. 

Watch Your Pet For Signs of Stress.

This is Louisa.

Hi.

This is Louisa when she is unhappy.

Help. 

This is another stressed pooch face.

It's the end of the world! Don't you touch me!

This cat? Also not having a good day. 

AAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGHHHH!

If you see your pet making stressed faces, know that they are scared. Make sure they are safe. Be patient. Scary stuff, these firework noises. 

And if you see Vasona making this face, adopt him and cuddle him immediately. Because he is an adorable little love nugget and had some dental issues that necessitated some tooth pulling, leaving him with the cutest tongue EVER. 

What? I'm fine. 

We wish you and your pets a safe, happy Fourth of July.

And don't forget to chip your pet. 

*sadly enough, true fact.