Have A Happy 5th of July With A Safe 4th Of July - Dog Walking And Pet Sitting Atlanta And Decatur

Woohoo! The long, holiday weekend has arrived! There is never a shortage of fun, family-friendly ways to celebrate Independence Day in Atlanta. The 4th of July is synonymous with outdoor celebrations, BBQs with friends and family and of course, fireworks! Every year, on the 5th of July, we see a lot of “lost dog” posters around Atlanta and Decatur from dogs that were spooked by fireworks and escaped their homes in an attempt to get away from the scary noises. Here are a few quick tips to help keep your dogs safe and sound during this holiday.

Include your dog in your party. This should be easy since our dogs are usually the life of the party anyway. Keep them safe by asking your guests to keep doors and gates closed at all times to prevent accidental escapes. Putting a note on doors and gates is a great way to remind guests that your pup should remain safely inside these areas. Side note:  if your party is outside, remember to have plenty of cool, fresh water on-hand! Be sure to refresh water bowls as often or more than you refresh coolers and refreshments for human guests.

What the heck was that?! As the evening approaches, there will surely be sounds of 4th of July celebrations and fireworks in the area. Many dogs are terrified of these noises and try to escape or outrun them. We have actually heard stories of dogs jumping through glass windows to get away from the sound of fireworks...yikes! Do not leave your dog outside where he may be tempted to jump the fence. It’s also a lot noisier out there and can increase the anxiety your dog might have. Keep your dog indoors in a safe, comfortable room where he cannot escape. Be mindful of any doors or windows left open (even a crack), and secure them so your pup can’t sneak out, or get hurt trying to. If you know you’ll be away from home during the evening hours, be sure to leave a few lights on and set up his favorite bed with a few of his favorite toys to make sure he’s comfy. If you know your dog gets super anxious from fireworks, thunder or strange noises, it might be worth it to consider staying home, or bringing him with you if you are going to a dog-friendly, place where he’ll be safe and comfy.

ThunderShirts aren’t just for thunder! We have seen them work wonders. ThunderShirts work by basically swaddling, or hugging your dog. This constant, gentle pressure is what relieves their anxiety and makes them feel safe. According to the ThunderShirt website, over 80% of dogs and cats show significant improvement in symptoms when using ThunderShirt. They are super cute too! You can find them at just about any pet shop in Atlanta or Decatur. We got ours from Inman Park Pet Works and couldn’t be happier.

We'd love to hear from you! How do you keep your pets safe and calm during the 4th of July holiday?