Consider the following helpful hints to help your furry family member have a safe and fun Canada Day!
Fireworks Can Be Scary
To humans, the sound of fireworks means celebration! To your pet, fireworks are just random, loud, scary noises. Some pets hide under a sofa or the far corners of your basement. Others may be so frightened that they run away from home to outrun or hide from the scary noise!
If you think your pet will be scared of fireworks, consider leaving them at home during evening Canada Day events as they may bolt out of fear and then get lost in the crowd. Make sure all windows, doors, gates, and other exit points in your house are secured so that your pet remains safe in your home. Also check that your pet’s collar has up-to-date medical and contact info on it so that you can be contacted if they gets lost.
It's important to always monitor your pet for signs of distress when the fireworks happen. Signs of distress can include (but aren’t limited to):
- Excessive yawning even when your dog is not tired
- Panting with a curled tip of their tongue instead of relaxed.\
- Pacing
- ears pinned back.
- dilated pupils or red around the eyes.
- whites of their eyes showing (whale eye)
- Tail that goes between the legs instead of in it’s normal position
There are some great de-stressing products on the market for your pet that you can use to help them. For example, dogs, cats, and other pets can benefit from compression shirts or harnesses as a proven way to decrease general anxiety. Zendog Calming Compression Shirt For Dogs uses compression to comfort your dog with a ‘hug’ that activates pressure points.
There are also calming supplements such as the Naturvet Quiet Moments melatonin chews for cats and for dogs.
You can also speak with your vet about the anxiety of your pet and they may choose to prescribe a mild sedative if your pet is extra scared of the fireworks and has a history of this type of fear.
Stay Hydrated
Celebrating Canada Day by enjoying the outdoors with your gang? Come prepared for the heat! Make sure your pup stays hydrated by bringing along a collapsible water bowl such as M-PETS On The Road Foldable Bowl. This space-saving bowl makes it easier for your dog to take a drink.
The Paws Squeeze Water Bottle is also a great option as it is portable, convenient, and easy to use. Just squeeze to fill the water bottle on top. This product has a stop to prevent dirty water from returning to the bottle.
Keep their Cool
And of course, never leave your pet in a vehicle unattended in the summer. Cars can heat up quicker than expected and dogs can suffer from heatstroke as a result! This can be fatal so the seriousness of this cannot be overstated especially on hotter summer days. Cracking the window isn't a solution to this problem (it does very little to vent the heat from the vehicle) so the best thing you can do is to bring the dog with you into the store (if the stores allow this, of course we do at Petland!) or leave your pup at home while running your errands.
Now, if you are going to be outside in the heat, there are many creative ways to keep your pup nice and cool. Enjoy more fun in the sun with the fouFIT Cooling Dog Collar! This cotton collar is filled with non-toxic polymer beads that absorb moisture and mimic the cooling effects of sweating. Did you know that dogs don’t sweat? That’s right! Instead, dogs rely on panting to help their temperature regulate. Help protect your pooch from heat stress by simply soaking the collar in water and gently wrapping it around them. They fastens with velcro for a custom, comfortable fit.
A similar option is the M-Pets Frozen Cooling Mat which is filled with cooling gel to help keep your pet cool and comfortable in the heat. Simply place this foldable cooling mat in the refrigerator to cool the gel, then place it on the floor and encourage your pet to lie on it.
Does your dog like the water? Grab the garden hose and fill up a pool or splash pad. Your pup will have a great time cooling off. Many options are portable, collapsible, and easy to bring to a backyard celebration with friends and family. Two of our favourites are the Companion Gear Portable Pet Pool and the Companion Gear Splash Pad for Dogs.
If you plan on doing a lot of walking on pavement this summer, it’s important to consider the fact that your dog’s paw pads can get burned if it’s too hot. An easy way to test if the pavement is too hot is to put your hand on it and hold it for 10 seconds. If the pavement is too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog!
Keep your dog in a shaded area whenever possible and be aware of signs of heat stroke.
Happy Canada Day and have a great time with your pet!
Need a new collar or leash for your dog to proudly show off on Canada Day? Enjoy 25% off RC collars and leases at Petland Canada this summer. See you there!
