How To Keep Dogs Safe During 4th Of July

Allie Christoff -

If you’re a dog owner, you likely know that the sound of fireworks triggers fear in dogs. With fireworks comes an increased chance of your pup seeking protection in often unfamiliar places - both in and outside of the home. In fact, more dogs go missing on the 4th of July than any other day of the year.

According to The New York Times, local firework complaints are already up 80x from the same time last year. This means New York-based pups are suffering through hours of scary fireworks every night, and soon dogs across the nation will be hearing the fireworks more and more as we approach the 4th of July holiday.

Fi is on a mission to put lost dog posters out of business, and we know our mission is especially critical during ‘firework season’. We know that the most important factor in a dog’s recovery is the speed at which you are notified of an escape. Fi is the fastest, most accurate way to be notified on your phone when your dog escapes, and where to find them on a live map if they do.

It’s important to be proactive in ways to keep your dog safe ahead of firework season. For Fi users, remember to:

  • Make sure your Fi collar is fully charged before the festivities begin in your neighborhood.
  • Prepare a quiet, dimly-lit, escape-proof area in the home for your dog to ‘shelter’ in - this may include a space at the back of your closet or in a dark area away from windows or doors.
  • Be sure to put your pup’s favorite blanket or bed in the dedicated area, and surround the area with comforting familiar scents so they feel extra secure should they seek shelter.

The Fi Collar also comes equipped with an LED light you can activate from the Fi app, should your dog have found a dark place to shelter within the home so you can easily spot them whether they are under the bed, in the closet, or elsewhere avoiding the sight and sound of fireworks.

As related to the 4th of July holiday, the ASPCA recommendations include:

  • Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them.
  • Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals.
  • Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pets’ reach.
  • Do not put glow jewelry on your pets, or allow them to play with it, as they can be toxic.
  • Keep citronella candles, insect coils and tiki torch oil products out of reach.

Click here for the  ASPCA’s full list of 4th of July safety tips, and visit tryfi.com to get your pup a Fi collar before the holiday!