Memorial Day Pet Safety

Offering Some General Advice On How To Keep Your Pets Safe, Happy, And Comfortable During Memorial Day Weekend Festivities 

Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember the brave men and women who have served our country. It’s also a long weekend that many of us look forward to, often marked by outdoor celebrations, barbecues, and time spent with family and friends. While it’s a joyous occasion for humans, it can present several hazards for our pets. To ensure your furry companions stay safe and happy during the festivities, follow these essential Memorial Day pet safety tips.

Barbecue Safety

Barbecues and cookouts are considered Memorial Day staples. However, they can also pose numerous dangers to pets. Here are a few examples of Memorial Day barbecue hazards and how to protect your pets from them. 

Avoid Toxic Foods 

Many foods that are safe for humans can be toxic to pets. This includes things like onions, garlic, chocolate, grapes, and seasonings. Additionally, alcohol is also toxic to pets and should always be kept out of their reach.

Whether you’re attending a barbeque or hosting one, let everyone there know that your pets should not be given any table scraps. Additionally, ensure that any trash and trash cans are secured, as pets can be tempted by the smell of discarded food.

Secure the Grill

You can’t have a barbeque without a grill! However, a hot grill can cause severe burns if your pets make direct contact with it. Therefore, it’s important to make sure the grill is stable and pets are kept at a safe distance.

Hydration And Shade

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May. This year (2024) Memorial Day will be on May 27th. Typically, this time of year brings warm weather and high temperatures. While this is great for outdoor festivities, it can be problematic for pets. 

Access To Fresh Water

Pets can easily become dehydrated and overheated, especially during outdoor activities in the sun. Therefore, it’s important to provide your pets with access to fresh, clean water at all times. It’s also a good idea to provide multiple bowls of fresh water for your pets to drink from, both indoor and outdoor. However, be sure to keep outdoor bowls of water out of direct sunlight as this can promote algae and could make the water & bowl hot.

Create a Shady Spot

Dogs and cats don’t sweat the way people do. Therefore, it’s more difficult for them to stay cool in the summer heat. That’s why it’s important to ensure there is a cool, shaded area where your pet can retreat from the sun. Additionally, never leave your pet in a parked car, even for a short period, as temperatures can rise to dangerous levels quickly.

Fireworks Safety

Fireworks are a common part of Memorial Day celebrations. However, they can be terrifying for most pets. Both dogs and cats have exceptionally good hearing which makes the sounds of fireworks even louder and more frightening to them. The loud noises from fireworks can cause pets to become scared, disoriented, and panic to the point where they run away.  

To help keep your pets safe, we recommend keeping them indoors while fireworks are going off. Keep them in a designated room just for them, ideally a finished basement or guest room. This should be a quiet room where they can feel safe & secure. Additionally you can provide other things in this room to help keep them calm such as soft blankets, soothing background noise, and pheromone diffusers. 

To learn more about pheromone diffusers and how they help alleviate pet anxiety, click here. 

Update ID Tags and Microchips

In the unfortunate event that your pet does escape and run away, it’s important that you have up-to-date ID tags. Ensuring your pet’s identification tags are up to date will greatly increase the likelihood that your pet will be returned to you if found. Additionally, having your pet microchipped is a full-proof way to ensure that your pet can be identified if they run away from home. To learn more about pet microchipping, click here. 

Travel Safety

If you’re traveling with your pets for Memorial Day, then there are some precautionary measures you should take. Here are a few examples of what you can do to keep your pets safe while traveling with them. 

Secure Your Pet

It is not a good idea to let your pet roam freely in your car while traveling. Free roaming pets can be distracting to the driver and they could potentially jump out of an open window. Therefore, it’s strongly advised to use a pet seatbelt, crate, or carrier to ensure your pet is safe while in the car

Pack Essentials

When traveling for both long and short distances with your pets, it’s important to bring the bare essentials for them. This includes bringing things like food, water, medications, and familiar items like toys or blankets to help your pet feel comfortable in a new environment.

Never Leave Pets Unattended

Under no circumstances should you ever leave your pets unattended while traveling. Whether in a car or unfamiliar place, leaving your pets unattended can be dangerous. They can quickly become distressed or be exposed to dangerous situations. While traveling, wherever you go, your pet should go too. 

Water Safety

Many people enjoy swimming and boating on Memorial Day. While pets often like to join in the fun, it’s vitally important to keep their safety in mind while enjoying these activities.

Supervise Swimming

Not all pets are strong swimmers. Whether your pet is a strong swimmer or not, you should always supervise them at all times around water. Additionally, consider a pet life jacket for added safety when necessary.

Rinse After Swimming

If your pet swims in a pool, lake, or ocean, it’s important to rinse them off afterward. Rinsing them off after swimming will help remove chlorine, salt, and harmful bacteria that could irritate their skin.

A Fun & Safe Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a wonderful time to gather and celebrate, but it’s important to be mindful of the potential hazards it can pose to your pets. By taking these precautions, you can ensure that your furry friends stay safe and enjoy the holiday just as much as you do. Remember, a little extra care can go a long way in preventing accidents and keeping the day festive and fun for everyone.

Hire A Pet Sitter This Memorial Day Weekend!

If you or someone you know is looking for pet sitting or dog walking services, then look no further than Paws & Claws Pet Sitting and Dog Walking! We service the Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, and West San Jose areas. Click here to contact us or give us a call at 408-752-2997.

Additionally, be sure to check us out on social media too! We post regularly on Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an update or adorable picture of the many pets we care for.