9 ways to keep your pets safe during Fourth of July

Humans love the big booms brought on by Fourth of July, but for our furry friends, they can be scary.

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The fireworks that take place Fourth of July (and usually the weeks before and after) can cause the pets to become disoriented, run away for safety or get severe anxiety.

READ: 6 tips to enjoy Fourth of July fireworks safely

Here are 9 tips according to the ASPCA and State Farm to keep your pets safe this Independence Day:

• Before the festivities begin, let your dog get plenty of exercise to help it relax.
• Keep your pets at home and indoors in a quiet room or crate.

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• Make sure your pets have ID tags with up-to-date information in case they do get loose.
• Have a fan, TV or soft music playing to help create white noise to offset the loud booms.
• Make sure your pet has its favorite toy or blanket to give it comfort.
• Talk to your vet and see if your dog or cat needs medication to help ease its anxiety.

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• Keep matches and lighter fluid out of reach of pets, since they contain chlorates that can cause serious health risks.
• Fireworks themselves can contain substances potentially toxic to your pets, so keep them out of reach.
• Avoid taking your pets to Independence Day festivities, as the noise can be disorienting.

Fireworks: What you need to know (NCD)

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