Houston SPCA offers pet safety tips for Fourth of July

Fourth of July means fireworks, barbecues and spending time with family and friends, but all the lights and noise can be scary, and even harmful, for pets. With that in mind, the Houston SPCA is offering some tips to help keep your pets safe:

All pets should be microchipped and wear collars and identification tags with current information. Cats should wear a breakaway/safety collar; dogs should wear nylon or leather collars only. Tags should not be placed on training collars or choke chains.

Keep pets indoors in a quiet, safe room with plenty of fresh water and give dogs several safe chew toys. Dogs that are crate-trained will do better in a crate, while cats will do best in a room in which they are most comfortable with food, water and their litter boxes.

Frightened outdoor dogs have been known to jump high fences and dig holes to escape the sound of fireworks. Indoor animals should be kept away from large glass windows or doors because they are highly capable of crashing right through when scared.

Outdoor fireworks displays can be loud and crowded and not the place to bring your pet. If you stay home, never use fireworks around your pet.

Pets are safest at home, but if you choose to bring your pet to a picnic or barbecue, make sure to bring plenty of fresh water, keep your pet in the shade and avoid feeding them table scraps, as too much human food can cause an upset stomach. Keep a sharp eye out for bones, because they can splinter if eaten. Keep your pet on a leash, and if your pet is crate-trained, bring the crate along as a safe refuge.

Keep all alcoholic drinks where your pets cannot reach them. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets and, in severe cases, can cause death.

Keep your pet away from citronella candles, matches and lighter fluid. If they ingest these products it could cause gastrointestinal irritation and possibly central nervous depression. In addition, do not use sunscreen or insect repellent on your pet that is not specifically labeled for use on animals. Consult your veterinarian for specifics.

Remember to keep a watchful eye on your pet this Fourth of July weekend and keep the name and number of your veterinarian and local animal emergency clinic on hand in case of emergencies.