15 Essential 4th of July Safety Tips for Dogs and Dog Owners

This post shows you the 15 Essential 4th of July Safety Tips for Dogs and Dog Owners.

We love the 4th of July, but it’s really one of the most stressful holidays for dogs! The main reason is, of course, the iconic fireworks that can cause so much anxiety.

But there are ways you can keep your dog safe! Of course, first comes the training to desensitize them a bit and get them used to noise.

But if you’re reading this just before the 4th of July, I want to share some last-minute tips that will keep your dog safe!

Check them out!

1 Keep Your Dog Indoors During Fireworks

If you can, keep your dog indoors during fireworks! You can leave the TV on or play some calming music and keep them indoors. Leave your bedroom open (if that’s where they sleep), and make sure that they have access to water and food.

A good idea is to shut the blinds so they don’t get scared by the fireworks’ lights and draw the curtains as well. Do anything that can muffle the noise.

The most important thing is to close all the windows, shut the door, and make sure you lock them, as dogs can panic and escape!

2 Create a Safe & Calming Space

If your dog is outside celebrating with you, one of my best 4th of July safety tips for dogs is to bring their bed or blanket with you. You can create a safe space for them, even when they’re outdoors.

Also, if your dog has terrible anxiety, you should talk to your vet and get some anti-anxiety medication.

You can also try some calming chews with natural ingredients like Chewia calming treats with valerian root. Ask your vet about these and check what you can find in your local pet store.

3 ID Tags & Microchips Are a Must

I hope your dog already has an ID tag and a microchip. It’s required by law. While some states don’t have a statewide requirement for microchipping dogs, most urban cities do.

It’s a painless procedure that can save their life, so please do this if you haven’t already done so!

Make sure that the microchip information is updated with your phone number and address, and make sure that your dog wears a collar with an updated ID tag and your information.

If you’re celebrating in your backyard, secure all fences and gates to prevent an escape.

If you’re down at the beach, keep your dog on a leash (you can use a long one like Flexi).

4 Avoid Fireworks & Sparklers Near Dogs

If you can, avoid any fireworks near your dog. Also, stay away from sparklers and poppers. They all contain toxic chemicals and make loud noises, which can scare your dog.

Some dogs are a bit brave (and crazy) and might decide to chase or play with fireworks, which is so dangerous that I’m not even going to discuss it.

Following 4th of July safety tips for dogs like this one can help prevent accidents and keep your pup safe.

5 Keep Alcohol & Party Foods Away

Most 4th of July foods are safe for dogs, especially meat, burgers, and veggies.

But some foods we like to indulge in are really dangerous.

The number one problem here is alcohol. All beers and cocktails are toxic to dogs. Even small sips of alcoholic drinks can be harmful and cause alcohol poisoning, especially in small dogs.

On top of that, some foods can be really dangerous, too. Remind your guests not to share food with your dog unless you approve it.

Don’t make a mistake—learn about the safe and toxic 4th of July foods for dogs!

6 Protect Your Dog from Overheating

July heat can be dangerous, especially for brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds.

Make sure your dog has plenty of water and shade if you’re spending time outside, and avoid walking on hot pavement.

Watch for signs of heatstroke: excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, or vomiting. If you notice any of these, get emergency vet care immediately.

4th of July safety tips for dogs always include heat protection—hydration and shade are just as important as avoiding fireworks!

7 Avoid Crowded Events & Parades

It’s probably not the best idea to take your dog to a 4th of July parade, especially if they are anxious or if crowds make them stressed.

If you want to try going on a parade, keep them on a leash and see how they react.

But if possible, avoid taking them to a parade. Leave them at home in their cozy, safe space. They won’t have fun if they get nervous in a crowd, and they’ll thank you for leaving them at home.

8 Don’t Let Your Dog Near the Grill

If your dog is nosy, you should make sure that they are not sniffing around near the grill. The main issue is overheating and burns.

But the second biggest issue is them stealing food that they can’t eat. Think of all the ribs, bones, table scraps, and BBQ sauces.

They won’t get pancreatitis from one greasy meal, but you need to be careful when it comes to ribs, chicken wings, and bones!

9 Plan for Potty Breaks Before Dark

You should adjust your dog’s schedule and take them for a walk before the fireworks start.

What I like to do is add an extra walk to our schedule, or even two extra walks per day (5 or 6 in total), just so he’s used to breaking the routine and peeing more often.

If fireworks are already going off, and you have to go outside, whatever you do, keep your dog on a leash!

Follow your usual route, and don’t go too far.

10 Have a Post-Fireworks Recovery Plan

Do you have a post-stress recovery plan for your dog?

For us, it’s usually playing with his comfort toy and brushing his fur with my Tangle Teezer (since that’s the only brush he actually likes).

If you have something like that—favorite treats, toys, or a game you play—you can try to comfort them after the chaos.

Whatever you do, don’t insist on playtime or activities if your dog still seems anxious. It’s important that you also stay calm and chill.

When you wake up the next day, go for a morning walk as usual and enjoy your day!

11 Take Your Dog for a Long Walk or Hike During the Day

I mentioned taking them outside to pee a few extra times, but what can also work really well is going on a long walk or a hike during the day.

A long hike can help your dog burn energy, so they feel more tired in the evening and want to rest more.

Any sort of exercise earlier in the day will tire them out before the fireworks start. That will reduce anxiety later in the evening!

12 Give a “Fireworks Party” with High-Value Treats

This tip is one of my controversial 4th of July safety tips for dogs, as I recommend bribing them and stuffing them with special treats!

In the evening, you can feed them their favorite treats and somehow turn the fireworks into a positive experience.

You can also entertain them with puzzle feeders or stuff their Kong toys. Need ideas for the Kong fillers? Check out 9 Natural Kong Fillers Dogs Will Love.

13 Play a YouTube Fireworks Video Before the 4th to Desensitize Them

For this tip, you need to prepare several days or even weeks in advance. Once per day, play a YouTube video of fireworks on a large screen. Play the video at a low volume and give them treats at the same time.

Then, the next day, increase the volume bit by bit until it’s pretty loud. Continue with comforting behavior and treats. The goal of this exercise is to desensitize them. This way, they will reduce their fear over time!

14 Give Your Dog a Safe Chew Toy to Release Stress

My dog adores bully sticks, and he can chew them for an hour! If your dog has a favorite chew treat, now is a really good time to give them.

Give them a bully stick, frozen marrow bone, or any other long-lasting chew to help them focus on something else other than noise.

15 Use a GPS Tracker in Case Your Dog Escapes

Even with collars and microchips, some owners use GPS trackers (like Apple AirTags or Fi collars) to track their dogs in real time if they get loose.

This is a great extra layer of security for anxious dogs that might bolt.

Since most dogs think fireworks are scary, having a GPS tracker can give you peace of mind and help you find them quickly if they run off.

Make sure to try and test everything, connect with your phone, and secure the tag before the 4th of July.

Which of these 4th of July safety tips for dogs do you already practice? Let us know in the comments!

Don’t forget to pin this post so you’ll always have these tips handy!

Love, life, and fur forever!

This post showed you the 15 Essential 4th of July Safety Tips for Dogs and Dog Owners.

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