July Fourth is one of the year’s most anticipated holidays, with cookouts, pool parties, and fireworks. But, your senior pet may not relish the festivities and may become anxious about strange people and loud noises. Follow these tips to help your senior pet come through the holiday unscathed.

#1: Provide a safe spot for your senior pet to ride out fireworks noise

Loud noises cause many pets to become stressed, and pets who have become increasingly anxious with age may be bothered by loud booms more this year. Don’t wait to see if your pet becomes anxious and then scramble for a solution—plan and be prepared by setting up a safe space for your senior pet. Before the fireworks begin—which may be several days before July Fourth—place your senior pet’s favorite bed and toys in a quiet room. The key is to head off your pet’s anxiety before the fireworks start, close the blinds, turn on the TV or play soft music to help them stay calm. Distract them with a long-lasting treat, such as a Kong stuffed with special treats or a LickiMat. If your pet has been highly anxious, ask your family veterinarian to prescribe a mild sedative to help them remain calm.

#2: Don’t share cookout foods with your sensitive senior pet

Your senior pet’s “puppy dog eyes” may beg you to share your heaping plate of cookout favorites, but many picnic foods can upset your pet’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract or cause toxicity. In general, keep these dangerous foods away from all pets:

* Chocolate

* Onions, garlic, shallots, leeks, and chives

* Grapes and raisins

* Macadamia nuts

* Xylitol

* High-fat foods, such as chicken skin or steak trimmings

* Bones

Your senior pet’s GI system may have become more sensitive, and they may suffer from diarrhea or vomiting after indulging, despite avoiding dangerous foods. Sticking to your senior pet’s regular diet is best, but a few bites of unseasoned chicken breast or fresh veggies, such as carrots or cucumber, should be safe if you must treat them. 

#3: Ensure your senior pet is microchipped

Animal shelters fill each July Fourth with runaway pets who become scared by fireworks and bolt or escape during picnics and parties. Keep your senior pet safely inside during gatherings and ensure they do not slip through an open door or gate and become lost. Also, make every effort to ensure they are safely inside before the fireworks begin. Senior pets, especially those with cognitive dysfunction, may easily become confused and lose their way in their neighborhood. As an added protection, ensure your pet is microchipped in case they become lost. A microchip, typically inserted during a routine veterinary visit, can be scanned by a shelter worker to let them know your pet has a loving home. They can then contact the national microchip database for your contact information and reach out to let you know your pet has been found. If your pet already has a microchip, now is a good time to check your current contact information. 

#4: Prevent heat stroke in your senior pet

July weather can become scorching hot in some parts of the country, and senior pets are especially susceptible to heat-related illness since their ability to regulate their body temperature may decrease. Leave your pet safely home in hot weather, despite wanting to display them in their adorable July Fourth bandana at your local parade or neighborhood block party. In addition, be familiar with heat distress signs, which include:

* Excessive panting

* Excessive salivation or drooling

* Weakness

* Trembling

* Obvious discomfort

* Collapse

If you think the heat is affecting your pet, immediately take them inside your air-conditioned home, and place them in front of a fan or in a tub of room temperature—not cold—water. Monitor their body temperature, which should be between 100 and 102.5 degrees, every five minutes for improvement. If your pet has severe heat stroke signs, such as collapse, unconsciousness, or a temperature greater than 104 degrees, take them to the nearest veterinary hospital for emergency treatment. 

Your senior pet may reach a point when they no longer enjoy holidays and their overall quality of life declines. You may support them through their final weeks and months with veterinary hospice care, or contact our telehospice service for guidance.