Many people enjoy fireworks in Fort Worth during New Year’s Eve celebrations, but fireworks can be terrifying for pets, causing many pets to escape their homes or yards and become lost.
“With the excitement of the festivities and celebrations, it can be easy to forget that not all traditions are a good fit for pets,” explained Patti Moran, President of Pet Sitters International.
Here are five tips to help pet owners keep their pets safe during Fort Worth New Year’s Eve festivities:
Keep pets secure indoors. If you are hosting a New Year’s Eve party or if there are fireworks in your area, keep your pets inside in a secure room. Close the windows, blinds, and/or curtains to keep your pet from seeing and hearing the fireworks, Make the room comfortable by providing food and water, and turn on the radio, television, or other familiar sounds to cover the noise outside. Additionally, you may want to ask your veterinarian to prescribe a mild sedative to help keep your pet calm.
Make sure your pets wear collars with ID tags. Even if your pets are indoor pets, there is a chance they may get out. The ID tag is the best way for someone to contact you if they find your pet. The ID tag should include the owner’s address and phone number. Microchipping is another important way for you to get your pet back if your pet’s collar or tags are lost. Additionally, make sure that your pet's ID tag and microchip information is up-to-date if you've moved.
Keep pets away from alcohol. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, "Ingestion of alcohol can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure, and body temperature. Severely intoxicated animals can potentially experience seizures and respiratory failure." If you suspect your pet has ingested any kind of alcohol, contact your veterinarian immediately
Skip the walk - don't take your pets outside during fireworks. If a pet gets too close to fireworks, they can get burnt, lose their hearing, or suffer eye damage. When I was a child, my Saint Bernard, Sonny, ate through a chain-link fence. Even having your dog secure in an outdoor kennel or on a leash may not prevent him from escaping if spooked by fireworks.
Distract nervous pets. If your pet's behavior is out of the normal, such as crying, whining or excessive pacing, try distracting them by playing or one of their other favorite activities.
If your New Year's eve plans take you away from home, Please consider the services of a professional pet-sitter. If you are lucky enough to live in our service area, we would be happy to take care of your pet. Just click here to get started. If you're outside of our service area, you can go to the PSI pet sitter locator to find a professional pet-sitter in your area. Your pet will be happier at home—away from crowds, fireworks and loud noises.
Happy New Year from the team at Creekside Critters Pet Sitters.
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