Your pets will thank you for remembering these important tips this 4th of July

To ensure everyone (including your furry family members) is ready to celebrate safely this summer, the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe is sharing some essential tips.

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center offers the following:

Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets.

Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not explicitly labeled for animal use.

Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pets' reach.

Keep your pets on their regular diet. Any change can give your pets severe indigestion and diarrhea, even for one meal.

Do not put glow jewelry on your pets or allow them to play with it.

Keep citronella candles, insect coils, and oil products out of reach.

Never use fireworks around pets! While exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns and trauma to the face and paws of curious pets, even unused fireworks can pose a danger.

Despite major Independence Day festivities being modified and personal fireworks not allowed at Lake Tahoe, people still light off fireworks. Be caring with your pets - keep your little guys safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered, and escape-proof area at home.

Hot Weather Safety Tips

Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water when it's hot outdoors. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful not to over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it's extremely hot.

Symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor, or even collapse. Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.

Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle. "On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time-even with the windows open-which could lead to fatal heat stroke," says Dr. Louise Murray, Vice President of ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. Also, leaving pets unattended in cars in extreme weather is illegal in several states.

"During warmer months, the ASPCA sees an increase in injured animals due to High-Rise Syndrome, which occurs when pets-mostly cats-fall out of windows or doors and are seriously or fatally injured," says Dr. Murray. "Pet owners need to know that this is completely preventable if they take simple precautions." Keep all unscreened windows or doors in your home closed and ensure adjustable screens are tightly secured.

When the temperature is very high, don't let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Being so close to the ground, your pooch's body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum.

Please make sure your pet is wearing identification with current contact information.

If your dog is lost in the South Lake Tahoe area, call
El Dorado Animal Services at 530-573-7925

If your dog is lost in the Truckee area, call
Truckee Animal Services at 530-582-7830.

If lost in the North Tahoe area, call
Placer County Animal Control at 530-886-5535.