More Pets Go Missing on the Fourth of July than Any Other Day. Are You Prepared?
Loud noises from fireworks and crowds of people usually do not make for a good day for your pet. Follow these simple tips so you and your pet can enjoy the holiday.
- Be sure your pet is wearing an up-to-date tag on their collar so if they should run away; people will easily be able to reach you. Collars can come off easily. It is recommended that you also microchip your pet.
- Make sure you have current photos of your pet for identification purposes at local shelters or veterinarian offices.
- If you are going to have people over, let your guests know you have a pet and to use caution when going in and out of your home.
- Before the festivities begin, play with your pet to help put them at ease. Then put your pet in a safe place during fireworks with toys and bedding they are familiar with. If they have known sensitivity to loud noises, you might consider playing mellow music too.
- Always keep your pets away from fireworks. Loud noises can easily scare them and cause them to bolt. Don’t risk this.
- If your pet is extremely anxious, consult your veterinarian about giving them a mild sedative during the festivities
Why Microchip Your Pet?
It is a good idea to microchip your pet. Some pet owners worry that this is a painful procedure. This is a misconception. A veterinarian uses a hypodermic needle to implant the microchip. The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice. What your pet feels is similar to the pain experienced when receiving a vaccination shot. The benefit of a microchip is that if your pet is found and taken to a shelter or a veterinarian, they can easily scan your pet and match them back up with you. The microchip is not a GPS tracking device. A pet can only be matched back with their owner if the owner has registered their pet with the microchip company and if the pet is found and taken to either a shelter or veterinarian office that can perform the scan.
Dr. Alex of Pet Xpert Animal Clinic offers microchips for your pet. Call today to schedule your appointment at 407-886-PETS(7387) to ensure that your pet is safe this Fourth of July!