Pet Safety For Labor Day Parties

Are you hosting or attending a party on Labor Day? If so, there are many potential dangers at a party that can bring harm to your pet. Be sure to keep these tips in mind to avoid endangering your pet. 

1. Exercise  

Exercise is crucial whether it be a long walk or extra playtime with their favorite toys during the day, your pets are more likely to be tired, peaceful, and calmer at night. While outside, make sure you take your dog to the restroom several times before the party starts, as well. You wouldn’t want to be forced to stop the festivities for an unexpected potty break!

2.Update Tag and Microchip(s)

If your pet manages to break loose and become lost,  it will be that much harder to get them back without proper identification. Make sure their tag is fully visible at all times. Fifteen percent of pet owners lost a pet in the last five years, a heartbreaking and often avoidable statistic. A microchip can mean the difference between a joyous reunion and a post-labor day search party.

3. Monitor the Grill

Keep dogs away from hot grills, tempting trash, and flammable items. 

Labor Day brings about interesting smells and new foods that can tempt even the most well-behaved dogs. When it comes to human foods, pet parents should avoid feeding their pets from the table. However, never feed pets at the grill. In addition to stomach and digestive problems caused by greasy and carb-heavy human foods, your dog could potentially burn themselves on hot grill plates or burning coals. 

Check out this full list of people foods to avoid feeding your pet to ensure you stay fully informed.

4. Keep them Cool

Although the end of summer is near, the sun is shining bright and is still hot, hot, hot! Dogs like being outside, but intense heat can cause heatstroke and exhaustion. If you and your dog go outside for an adventure, or there is a party being hosted outdoors; be sure your fur baby has access to plenty of cool drinking water. Placing a cold, damp cloth on your pet’s stomach may also help them beat the heat. 

5. Beware of Fireworks

Excitable dogs may try to attack, eat, or play with fireworks and firecrackers that may appear on Labor Day. Unfortunately, dogs and fireworks don’t mix well. Fireworks can cause deadly injuries like severe burns, trauma, and even chemical poisoning. 

Used fireworks should be watered down and stored away from the house or any flammable materials after the festivities end. This will allow them to cool down properly, preventing fires or unforeseen injuries to your dog(s).

6. Watch for Flammable Items

Keep all flammable items away from pets. This includes everything from glow sticks and fireworks to matches and lighter fluid. Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could cause difficulty breathing or even kidney disease in severe cases. Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin and can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression if ingested.

7. Ask For Help

Ask for help! Your party guests can help keep track of your pet throughout the night. Ask a few trusted friends to take turns watching your fur baby. This way, everyone is bound to have fun, and your dog gets to socialize. We’ll volunteer if you can’t convince your friends.

This blog was written in collaboration with Monika Rynkowski from It's Pawty Time located in Hillsborough, New Jersey.