Keep Pets Safe This 4th of July: DoveLewis Urges Families to Prepare for the Holiday Weekend

PORTLAND, OR – As fireworks fill the skies this Fourth of July weekend, DoveLewis 24/7 Animal Hospital is calling on pet owners to prepare early. The holiday consistently ranks among the busiest of the year for emergency veterinary care, and the risks are more varied than many owners realize.

Loud noises, flashing lights, summer heat, and festive foods all pose real dangers to pets, and the consequences can escalate quickly.

"We see a spike in cases every year around the Fourth," said Dr. Sarah Tauber, emergency veterinarian at DoveLewis. "From noise anxiety and runaway pets to foreign body ingestion, this holiday can turn into a crisis fast."

When Corn on the Cob Becomes a Medical Emergency

One patient illustrates just how serious holiday hazards can be. A 6-year-old dog was rushed to DoveLewis after vomiting throughout the day. The cause: corn cobs pulled from the trash. Emergency surgery revealed several lodged in his stomach and one in his small intestine. With swift intervention, the dog made a full recovery and is back home with his family.

"Corn cobs are one of the more serious foreign bodies we see this time of year," Dr. Tauber said. "They can cause life-threatening intestinal blockages, and they happen more often than people expect."

Ways to Protect Your Pets This Holiday Weekend

To help pet owners prevent emergencies this holiday, DoveLewis recommends these safety tips:

• Plan ahead for anxiety relief. Talk to your veterinarian now about anti-anxiety medications or sedatives, which need to be prescribed in advance. Don't wait until the day of.
• Keep pets indoors and calm. Set up a quiet, secure space away from doors and windows. Use fans, calming music, or TV to help mask loud noises.
• Secure yards and gates before guests arrive. Frightened pets can slip out through gaps or gates left open during comings and goings.
• Don't bring pets to fireworks shows. The noise, lights, and crowds can trigger panic and dangerous escape attempts.
• Update your pet's microchip and ID tags. Make sure microchip records and tags reflect current contact information, your best chance of a reunion if your pet escapes.
• Keep holiday food out of reach. Corn cobs, bones, onions, chocolate, grapes, and alcohol can all cause serious harm. Let guests know not to feed pets table scraps, even the ones they may think are harmless.

One More Step: Pre-Register Your Pet at DoveLewis

In an emergency, every second matters. Pet owners can pre-register their pet online ahead of time to help reduce stress and save time during urgent visits.

DoveLewis is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including every holiday.

"Even with the best preparation, accidents happen," Dr. Tauber said. "That's why we're always here, no matter the time of day or night."

For more information on pet safety tips, visit www.dovelewis.org.

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