President’s Message
July 2024
Summer is in full bloom in our area, and I for one, am anxiously awaiting the cool fall weather. Until then however, we still have a lot of fun summer celebrations to look forward to. Fourth of July being just around the corner. Because many animals do not enjoy the celebrations as much as humans do, I thought I would share an article from my monthly Trupanion newsletter with you. But first, some club, ‘Happenings’.
I want to welcome two new members to ISCP-SF. Welcome Mark Bunter and Margaret Spring! Mark has been an avid ‘setter’ person for many years. He has Irish and Gordon Setters. If my memory serves me, he may have had or also has English Setters. Mark has also been active in Field Trials, and has put impressive titles on several of his dogs. I’m going to include his email address; if you would like phone numbers and address to update your club directory, please email him directly, or of course you can email me. markbunter@yahoo.com.
Welcome Mark and Margaret. BJ Booth’s address was omitted from the directory, she has asked me to let people know her new address, it is: 1081 Mohr Lane, Concord, CA. 94518. She would love to hear from you. Lastly, please disregard Ed Meyer’s old email and update it with this new one: epmisetter50@gmail.com. His phone numbers remain the same.
This month we are also looking forward to our Annual Awards Day in the Park, July 20, Boone Acres Park in San Ramon. We will again at 10:00. Patty Aronica has graciously offered, once again, to do CGC, and Trick Dog te s t ing a s we l l a s a Fe t c h demonstration. If you plan to get your dog tested, please make sure you let Patty know so she can be sure to have all the testing information available to you. You can also go to www.AKC.org to find out what the requirements are for these titles. We will again have our club pot luck and General meeting this day as well. I will send out an agenda and the April General notes to be voted on. Dogs are welcome, but not a requirement. Please be sure to bring plenty of water, an x-pen or crate if you bring a dog. Please do not forget to bring a dish to share for the Pot Luck.
Now, for the article I promised: More than being Just a Bang: Fireworks Safety for Dogs & Cat owners by Brianna Bunter, Published June 18, 2024, Trupanion weekly newsletter. You love Fireworks. Your pet does not. While these dazzling displays are often a staple of celebrations like the Fourth of July and ringing in the New Year, they can be a source of intense stress for our animal companions.
Whether you’re actually shooting off fireworks yourself or just going to watch them, it’s essential that you take proactive steps to ensure the safety of your furry friend. Obviously, having a good time is important, but your pet’s well-being should be an even greater priority. Frtunately, arming yourself with knowledge and following the right safety measures will help you make sure the festivities go well for humans and pets alike.
Are fireworks harmful to dogs and cats?
It may seem like our pets are just scared of loud noises. And while that may be true, the reality is that fireworks do come with some genuine dangers to our furry friends.
The most prevalent hazard of fireworks to pets is, as you may have guessed, the noise. The sudden, loud bangs can cause fear and anxiety in both dogs and cats, leading to behaviors such as shaking, drooling, panting, or attempts to escape. In extreme cases, the stress of these explosive sounds can trigger a condition veterinarians call noise phobia. Essentially, pets can experience such an intense, fearful response to loud noises that they can panic and engage in destructive behavior or self-harm. Many pets may also flee as a result and can get lost, injured, or even killed by cars. As Pet Amber Alert statistics show, missing pets in the US increase 30% every year between July 4th and 6th, and only 14% are reunited with their owners.
Beyond the noise, fireworks themselves pose significant risks to pets who may come into contact with them. There’s the debris from exploded fireworks, which can cause burns or cuts to animals within the fall radius.
The aftermath in general can be hazardous. Spent fireworks can be mistaken for food or toys by pets, leading to ingestion of harmful materials (more on this below). Additionally, the residual smoke and particulate matter from fireworks can exacerbate respiratory issues, particularly in pets with pre-existing conditions like asthma or bronchitis.
Fireworks and toxic reactions in pets
There’s also the physical properties of fireworks, and their counterparts, firecrackers. Although rare, ingestion of these pyrotechnic devices or their remnants can lead to serious consequences requiring immediate attention. Fireworks contain hazardous chemicals like potassium nitrate, arsenic, and other heavy metals that can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, poisoning, or even death if ingested by curious pets.
This should go without saying, but seek veterinary care immediately if you think your pet has ingested any part of a firework or firecrackers. All festive pyrotechnics and explosives should be considered highly toxic to pets, and ingestion of them should be treated as medical emergencies.
7 fireworks safety tips for pet owners
Stay proactive to prevent disaster.
1. Keep anxious pets indoors
You may like the idea of bringing your dog — or outdoors-loving cat — along with the whole family to watch some dazzling fireworks on a nice evening. But keep in mind that your pet does not view things the same way you do, and they do not understand what you’re celebrating or why. All pets with a history of reacting negatively to loud noises (like sirens) or who get anxious easily should be kept at home inside during the display.
Bear in mind that fireworks often draw large crowds. Even if you think your pet may be fine with a series of loud bangs, consider how they’ll do in a big public setting full of people they don’t know and potentially other pets. Social anxiety is prevalent in cats and dogs, especially those who were not properly socialized early in life. If pets are being kept indoors, make sure children and adults alike know to not leave doors propped open or unlatched. Pets scared by loud noises may be likely to take off running if they manage to get outside.
2. Create a cozy escape
Unless your home is completely soundproof (and let’s be honest, it isn’t), just being indoors won’t be enough to prevent the loud bangs and crackles from spooking your pet. So, before you head out anywhere, set up a cozy, quiet retreat for them that they can easily escape to. It’s a good idea to set this space up as far away from windows as possible. Be sure to show your pet where this space is before you leave, and ensure they have easy access to their water bowl as well.
You may also want to consider keeping your pet in their crate for the duration of the display. Make it extra cozy with their favorite toys and a blanket or two, and consider draping a blanket over it to help shield them from the noisy world.
3. Use a ThunderShirt A pet stress vest — better known as a ThunderShirt — is a specially designed garment that applies gentle, constant pressure to a pet’s torso, creating a calming effect. The pressure mimics a comforting hug, helping pets feel secure and relaxed. It’s considered particularly effective for reducing anxiety in dogs and cats during stressful situations like thunderstorms, travel, and, yes, fireworks.
Easy to use, simply wrap the stress vest snugly around your pet before fireworks start. If you’ve never used this with your dog before, it’s a good idea to do some test runs in the weeks beforehand to help them get used to wearing it.
4. Consider pet earmuffs Another pet accessory that may help with fireworks anxiety is a set of canine earmuffs. These are intended for dogs who are being brought to these events, but they may be used on pups who are extra anxious during loud noises at home as well. They’re exactly what they sound like: a pair of noise-reducing muffs that fit snugly on your pal’s head. Just be sure to size correctly, and don’t force your pet to wear anything they aren’t comfortable with.
There are some smaller versions made for cats as well, but it’s safe to say many cats don’t do well with things around their ears. Instead, consider a Happy Hoodie — a calming wrap that goes around their face and ears. These are meant to help reduce stress but, again, don’t leave anything on your pet that makes them agitated.
5. Store fireworks and firecrackers carefully Obviously, this doesn’t apply if you’re only going to see a fireworks display and aren’t shooting any off yourself. But even smaller festive explosives can be highly dangerous. Whether you’re using fireworks, firecrackers or even just sparklers, always ensure they are kept well out of reach of pets.
To store fireworks and their smaller counterparts properly, get secure plastic containers that seal firmly and cannot be opened by prying paws (dog or cat). Look for lids that latch and can be locked if needed. Even with safe containers, you’ll also want to store everything high up in places dogs can’t get to and behind closed doors that cats can’t access.
6. Make sure tags and microchips are current Thinking about the prospect of your best friend running away and getting lost is something no pet owner wants to do, but it’s a risk even with precautions in place. Ensuring pets are microchipped and wearing up-to-date ID tags can help reunite them with their owners if they do manage to escape during a fireworks display, or any loud celebration for that matter.
If you’ve moved since getting your pal microchipped, you can update your information through the chip provider online. If you’re unsure of who the provider is, you can use Pet Microchip Lookup (if you have the number saved) or have
7. Don’t put fireworks over pet safety
At the end of the day, your pet’s safety matters more than your celebrations. Besides, an emergency vet visit will end the fun really fast.
So, before you get any fireworks underway, be sure to review your safety measures and keep everyone involved in the loop. If you’re bringing your pet along to the display, be prepared to head home early (and abruptly) if they appear to be agitated or anxious. It’s far better to be overly-cautious than to put your pal’s well-being at risk.
Even if you’ve never had any incidents with fireworks before, it’s important to realize that accidents can happen at any time. In addition to taking all of the necessary precautions, be sure to sign up for pet health insurance for peace of mind throughout all future holidays and festivities to come.
*Trupanion does not receive compensation for any third-party products that are mentioned or linked in this article. These products are included for informative purposes only.
In closing, I hope you and all your animals have a safe and sane 4th of July. I also hope to see you July 20, at our Awards, Day in the Park. Be sure to bring a chair too.
Be sure to hug those red dogs!
Sincerely,
Sandy