What Dr. Vernard Hodges of ‘Critter Fixers’ says about keeping pets safe on the Fourth of July

WARNER ROBINS — Independence Day brings celebrations, but what is fun for humans may be highly stressful and dangerous for our four-legged friends.

How do you keep your cat or dog safe and (relatively) calm when there are explosions?

That’s what the Houston Home Journal asked Dr. Vernard Hodges, part of the veterinary duo at Critter Fixers Veterinary Hospital in Bonaire and Byron. With over 25 years of experience and a TV show on National Geographic called “Critter Fixers: Country Vets,” Hodges has seen more than his fair share of unique cases, especially around the 4th of July.

For starters, Hodges advises to avoid having a pet at holiday parties if there is any doubt about whether they can handle it. Especially if the party is at someone else’s home. 

“You want to be really careful and make sure the dog is acclimated to a holiday party like the Fourth of July,” Hodges said in an interview with the HHJ. “You don’t want to bring them there and find out at that place that your animal is deathly afraid of fireworks.” 

Why do fireworks frighten some animals?

Most commonly, Hodges said, pets are afraid of the loud noises that come from fireworks.

“They’re used to being in calm places, nurturing in their house, they may be used to the TV. But loud noises can bring a huge amount of anxiety,” he said.

Hodges added that any breed can be affected.

“Typically, it’s across all breeds. I wouldn’t say there are really any breeds that are more susceptible,” Hodges said.

Hodges noted that if your neighborhood is known for setting off fireworks, taking your dog for a walk before things start exploding can help with anxiety. This is also a good chance to ensure pets have an emergency kit with their favorite toys and medicines for scratches, burns, and stomach problems.

Hodges suggests providing distractions like treats, toys, pheromones, back rubs and soft music in a safe place during the fireworks. Thundershirts can also help by applying steady pressure, similar to a weighted blanket or a baby swaddle. 

Supplements that can help include calming treats, and prescribed medications to treat anxiety in dogs include gabapentin, trazodone, and Sileo gel.

Hodges said it’s a common myth that comforting a dog will reinforce their fear.

“Comforting and helping pets with noise aversion is definitely a good thing,” Hodges said. “Making sure they know you’re there is a huge thing. They can feel your emotional calmness.”

Some dogs may naturally be more anxious, so Hodges says to watch for extreme behaviors like shivering, panting, pacing more than usual, or bumping into objects. If home-based anxiety treatments aren’t working, it’s best to call an emergency vet, so they can intervene with medical treatment.

Pets that are frightened and overstimulated will do whatever it takes to get out of the situation, Hodges said, and they can potentially go missing. He suggests leaving pets inside and in a calm place if fireworks are being set off outside.

“I’ve seen dogs break through glass to get out, because they don’t know where it’s coming from,” he said.

Hodges said if a pet goes missing, the best course of action is sharing photos on flyers and social media, and alerting your veterinarian and local animal shelters. Having a collar with identification or a microchip can also help tremendously.

“We’ll check the microchip, and sure enough, we’re able to get that dog back to his home,” he said.

Can fireworks hurt dogs?

Burns from fireworks are a concern for dogs who are more fearless. One of the more unfortunate cases Hodges worked was a 4th of July case involving a dog that was seriously injured by a sparkler.

“There was a sparkler that went off and went into the dog’s eye. The call came in after hours, and unfortunately, his eye was already burned through, so we had to remove it. You want to be really careful with those things,” Hodges said.

Another case involved a dog with third-degree burns after fireworks accidentally sparked next to it in a car.

“Be careful how you package fireworks or how you travel with them, especially if you have your pet with you,” Hodges said.

Fourth of July foods that are dangerous for pets

Food can be as concerning as fireworks. At cookouts, it’s common to sneak a part of a burger or hot dog to pets, but this can also be dangerous. 

Another common case Hodges treats around this time of year is pancreatitis. He said fatty foods are the main cause and can lead to inflammation of the pancreas, vomiting, diarrhea, and can be fatal.

“I am a big advocate of making sure they get their own food. I make sure [my dogs] don’t get people food,” Hodges said.

Hodges strongly advised against grapes, chocolate, macadamia nuts, and sweeteners like xylitol, which are toxic to dogs. 

He has also seen cases where corn cobs and chicken bones can become stuck in pets’ gastrointestinal tracts. Dogs can also become curious and eat other garbage, like discarded fireworks and sparklers.

“Make sure the garbage is closed. Often, we’ll sit out, and everybody barbecues with outdoor trash bags or trash cans, so you want to make sure that it is kept away from your pets, because they will go in and get it,” Hodges said.

Summer heat and water safety for dogs

High temperatures can increase the likeliness for heat stroke, and hot concrete can burn pets’ paws, Hodges said. According to the American Kennel Club, an 86-degree day means asphalt surface temperatures can rise to over 135 degrees.

Bodies of water, like pools and lakes, can be devastating if a dog can’t swim.

“Once we had a dog running, and it jumped into the pool and couldn’t swim because it was so scared. The owner had to go in and resuscitate the dog and then called us for emergency. We met him here and were able to help. The dog did develop pneumonia, but with a few days of care, he was fine,” Hodges said.

Asked for one piece of advice to give every pet owner before the holiday, Hodges didn’t hesitate.

“Just like people, make sure you practice pet safety,” he said. “Keep them hydrated and out of the sun, keep them away from fireworks as much as you can, and definitely keep that good old Fourth of July food away from your pets.”