{"id":3069,"date":"2012-07-03T08:45:02","date_gmt":"2012-07-03T15:45:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vetlocator.com\/dailypaws\/?p=3069"},"modified":"2015-05-13T09:24:39","modified_gmt":"2015-05-13T14:24:39","slug":"how-to-be-a-good-pet-owner-and-tips-for-pet-safety-on-the-4th-of-july","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vetlocator.com\/dailypaws\/2012\/07\/how-to-be-a-good-pet-owner-and-tips-for-pet-safety-on-the-4th-of-july\/","title":{"rendered":"Petiquette & pet safety tips for the 4th of July"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Today is going to be a great evening of bar-b-ques, fireworks and get-togethers.<\/p>\n

We hope you and your friends and family have a wonderful time, but want to remind you to make sure your pets are safely tucked away before all the noise begins.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the event that you and your pets are able to accept holiday invites together too we thought we\u2019d share some petiquette tips you might find handy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 The very first thing you\u2019ll want to do is to make sure it\u2019s ok with your host that you bring your pet with you.
\n2.\u00a0 Next make sure he\/she has a collar with an ID and that the ID has correct information on it.\u00a0 These days it\u2019s an excellent idea to use a cell number rather than a home phone number since your cell phone is usually with you and you can be reached quickly in an emergency.
\n3.\u00a0 Put your vet\u2019s phone number and an emergency vet hospital number into your cell phone to have it handy in the event you need it.
\n4.\u00a0 Try to find out who\u2019ll be at the party in case you need to make plan changes (for example people with babies, small kids or other pets can change things, including whether you should bring your pet with you).
\n5.\u00a0 Bring along pet essentials like food and water bowls, a leash, handy wipes and cleaning stuff and pet waste bags.
\n6.\u00a0 I like to bring some special treats with me.\u00a0 Folks like to feed my dog, so I give them some of his healthy treats to make sure he\u2019s not getting junk.
\n7.\u00a0 Pets can make a mess sometimes so I keep a couple of baggies handy for the expected and unexpected messes and also have a lint roller in my pet kit because my dog has been known to shed.
\n8.\u00a0 It\u2019s not a bad idea to have a\u00a0crate\u00a0handy so your pet can be safely secure if things get crazy.
\n9.\u00a0 If you notice your pet becoming tired or agitated, secure him in a closed room or his\u00a0crate\u00a0if you aren\u2019t able to take him home.
\n10.\u00a0 Don\u2019t let pets wander around cooking food. Not only can it be a problem for the cook, but your pet might accidentally eat something that’s not good for him.
\n11.\u00a0 Always be aware of where your pet is during any event.\u00a0 Pets can become nervous and bolt in unfamiliar surroundings.\u00a0 Also, like children, there are times when they\u2019ve had enough and it\u2019s time to go home.<\/p>\n

Now for some personal peeves I\u2019ve experienced attending events where certain pets should not be.\u00a0 I\u2019m titling this short list\u00a0****If your dog has any of the following problems, please leave him\/her at home.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0Incessantly bark<\/strong>s at other people, dogs, birds, cats, etc.\u00a0 A barking dog that won\u2019t quiet is distracting and the owners that won\u2019t remove the dog are just plain rude.
\n2.\u00a0\u00a0An aggressive animal<\/strong>.\u00a0 If you know your dog \u2013 or cat \u2013 is aggressive, LEAVE THEM AT HOME.\u00a0 Period.
\n3.\u00a0\u00a0Your pet is ill\u00a0<\/strong>or has not been feeling well.\u00a0 Besides the obvious point of an ill pet might be a contagious pet, outings can be stressful and can make your pet\u2019s health worse.\u00a0 Leave an ill pet at home with a sitter and not in a kennel.
\n4.\u00a0\u00a0The event will have people who are fearful or allergic to pets<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 See #1 above.
\n5.\u00a0\u00a0Your pet is having a bad day<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 everyone does and our pets are no exception.\u00a0 If you see that your pet is having a bad day, give him\/her a break and let them stay home.<\/p>\n

If you decide to leave your pet at home<\/strong>\u00a0while you attend a party or other event, consider the best options for him while you\u2019re gone.<\/p>\n