Keeping Your Pet Safe During Memorial Day Weekend

It’s almost Memorial Day weekend, and you know what that means — BBQ's, fireworks, and plenty of outdoor fun. Since your pet is part of the family, you should want her to have just as much fun this weekend as you do. Part of keeping having fun is keeping her out of harm’s way, so follow these tips to making sure your pet stays safe this Memorial Day Weekend.

Keep Your Pet Out of the Picnic Basket

We know it’s tempting to share a snack with your pet, but a lot of the food you’re eating could be poisonous to her. Instead of feeding her human food, bring along some treats for her to munch on. Also, make sure to keep food scraps, like corn cobs and fruit pits, away from your pets, since they pose a choking hazard.

Protect Your Pet  from the Sun

If you’re outside in the heat, make sure you give your pet plenty of water. She could easily get dehydrated, resulting in a bunch of health problems. You should also talk to your vet about sunscreen from your pet, especially if she has a light-colored or short coat, because, yes, pets can get sunburned too. In general, it’s best to keep her in the shade as much as you can.

Leave the Leash On

Memorial Day is fun for everyone, but for your pet, it’s a day of unknown smells, sounds, and sights. She’ll probably be tempted to go adventuring, which could leave you with a missing pet. Always keep your pet on a leash and have her up-to-date ID tags on her collar.

Be Ready for Fireworks

To you, fireworks may be the best part of this weekend, but they could be terrifying to your pet. If you know she’s scared of fireworks, make plans to have to have your pet inside safely inside with someone to comfort her while they’re going off.

Important: If your pet really freaks out from fireworks, do not give her Benadryl or any human medications to relax her. Human medications can be lethal to pets. If you think your pet needs them, ask your vet about low-dose tranquilizers to calm her down.

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital is committed to helping you keep your pet safe this Memorial Day weekend. We offer emergency veterinary care 24/7 by partnering with Newton Veterinary Hospital. If your pet needs emergency care, contact us right away for help at  908-464-0023.