TALK TO YOUR VET
The days leading up to the 4th of July are extremely busy at every veterinary clinic and pharmacy in town. Veterinarians are prepared to provide calming meds for your pets, but you’ll need to be proactive. Get ahead of the crowd by requesting medications early. Sometimes it might require a visit if your pet is due, but if your pet is up to date on vaccinations and annual exams, the doctor will likely fill the prescription for easy pickup. Dr. Barrington says, “I have some pets that are unable to settle down without the help of anxiety meds or even tranquilizers.” She warns, though, to talk to your vet about medications that reduce anxiety instead of simply sedating them. The goal is to make them feel calm, not just knock them out.
GET CHIPS
We don’t mean Doritos or Salt and Vinegar. We mean microchips. It only takes a few minutes for a vet to microchip your pet and it’s a valuable safeguard in case your pet is ever lost or stolen. The chip is registered with your contact information and can be scanned at any veterinarian. So if someone finds your pet and has it scanned, they will be able to contact you. If you already have your pet chipped, take a minute to sign into your online account to ensure your contact information is up-to-date. Similarly, this is a good time to check your pets’ name tags. Make sure they each have accurate phone numbers, addresses, or other contact information. Also, make sure your pet is wearing their collar with the tags attached before the parties start. Our pets are part of our family, making it our responsibility to provide a safe and nurturing environment for them. Independence Day is a highly stressful time for many pets, so it’s up to us to furnish a bit of additional support. With a bit of pre-planning and a dash of extra attention, pet owners can help their furry companions navigate Independence Day with ease and peace of mind.
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July 2024
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