July 4th Pet Safety Tips For Long Islanders: Info

LONG ISLAND, NY — The Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shared tips with Long Islanders on how they can keep their pets safe for the 4th of July.

"Independence Day is a day to remember the people who believed in our freedom and paved the way for every American to have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, the Suffolk SPCA wrote. "The July 4th holiday may be lots of fun for you and your family but may pose a very dangerous situation for your family pet."

Barbecue scraps fed to dogs may cause them gastrointestinal problems, said Roy Gross, chief of the Suffolk SPCA.

"Keep your dog on a regular diet and be sure to ask your guests not to give table food to your pet!"

Any change, even for one meal, can give your pet severe indigestion and diarrhea, according to Gross. Foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes and raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to pets.

The Suffolk SPCA shared a few other useful tips to make the 4th of July safe for pets:

• Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, so resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities. Instead, keep your little guys safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home. Turn on some music to drown out noise from fireworks. Make sure your pet always wears a collar and identification tag.
• Neighborhood celebrations contain loud fireworks and sparklers that are very hot. Use the same caution for your pets as you do for your children.
• Make sure your pet is wearing an identification tag with current contact information. Microchip your pet to avoid the stress of a lost pet.