Outdoor Holiday Safety Tips for Pets
August 26, 2025 · Pet Safety
Keeping Your Furry Friends Safe on Labor Day, Memorial Day, and the Fourth of July
Long weekends and summer holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the Fourth of July are perfect opportunities to relax, enjoy the outdoors, and spend time with loved ones. But while we’re celebrating, it’s easy to forget that these festivities can pose unique risks to our pets.
At Animal Specialty & Emergency Center of Brevard, your local 24/7 specialty and emergency animal hospital, we want to help you keep your four-legged family members safe and happy during holiday gatherings. Here are our top tips for keeping pets out of harm’s way this season.
1. Grill & Picnic Precautions
Outdoor barbecues are a holiday favorite, but many cookout staples can be dangerous or even toxic to pets.
Tips to keep your pet safe:
Keep foods like grapes, onions, chocolate, alcohol, and fatty meats out of reach.
Avoid giving pets bones or scraps; they can cause choking or digestive blockages.
Dispose of trash securely so curious noses can’t get into skewers, corncobs, or discarded bones.
Use a bristle-free grill brush. Metal bristles can break off, get ingested, and migrate to organs like the liver or intestines, leading to serious complications.
Be thorough when cleaning the grill. Pancreatitis can result from pets licking up fatty drippings or grease around the grill.
2. Fireworks & Loud Noises
The Fourth of July and even some Memorial Day celebrations often include fireworks, which can be terrifying and even harmful to pets.
How to protect your pet:
Keep them indoors during fireworks shows, ideally in a quiet, comfortable room.
Turn on calming sounds like soft music or the TV to help drown out loud booms.
Make sure your pet has updated ID tags and a microchip, just in case they get scared and run off.
Ask your veterinarian about anxiety-reducing options if your pet struggles with noise.
3. Beat the Heat
Many outdoor celebrations happen in the summer heat, which can quickly lead to overheating or heatstroke in pets.
Signs of heat distress include: heavy panting, drooling, lethargy, vomiting, and collapsing.
Prevention tips:
Always provide plenty of fresh water and shaded rest areas.
Avoid walking your pet on hot pavement, which can burn their paw pads.
Never leave pets in parked cars. Temperatures rise dangerously fast, even with windows cracked.
4. Water Safety for Pets
Whether you're spending the day by the pool, lake, or beach, water activities can pose risks.
Keep your pet safe around water:
Always supervise pets near pools and open water.
Use a pet life jacket if you're boating or near deep water.
Rinse off chlorine, salt, or lake water after swimming to avoid skin irritation.
Be cautious at the ocean. Drinking saltwater can cause sand impaction and dangerous sodium imbalances, which often require emergency care.
5. Bug Bites & Outdoor Hazards
Warm weather brings out ticks, mosquitoes, and other pests that can transmit disease to pets.
Holiday safety tips:
Make sure your pet is up to date on flea, tick, and heartworm prevention.
Keep pets away from citronella candles, tiki torch oil, and insect repellents made for humans, many are toxic to animals.
Check your pet’s coat thoroughly after spending time outdoors.
When in Doubt, Call Us! We’re Here 24/7
Even with the best precautions, accidents can happen. Whether your pet gets into something they shouldn’t, suffers a burn, or experiences heat exhaustion, our emergency team is always here to help, day or night, all year round.
Because when it comes to your pets, we know they’re family.
Final Takeaway
Holidays should be fun for everyone, including your pets. By planning ahead and staying mindful of potential hazards, you can keep your furry friends safe while making lasting memories together. And remember, if your pet needs emergency care this holiday season, our doors are always open.
