Pet safety tips for the Fourth of July

ALBANY — More dogs go missing on the Fourth of July than on any other day of the year, and many of them never make it home. July 4 can also be a perilous time for dogs because of the new foods, chemicals and toys that might be introduced to the house on the holiday.

Like all holidays, the Fourth of July is designed for humans, not dogs. State Farm suggests the following pet safety tips:

— Don’t put insect repellant on your pet that isn’t specifically for pet use. The same tip applies to applying “people” sunscreen on your pet. What isn’t toxic to humans can be toxic to animals.

— Don’t let pets get near a barbecue grill while it is in use or still hot.

— Never leave your pet in your car when it’s warm outside. Vehicle interiors heat up much faster than the air around them. Even a short time in a locked car can be dangerous for pets.

— Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pet’s reach. Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing or even kidney disease in severe cases. Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin, and if ingested can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression. If lighter fluid is inhaled, aspiration pneumonia and breathing problems could develop.

— Keep your pets on their normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pet severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. Foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes, raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to companion animals.

— Don’t put glow jewelry on your pets or allow them to play with it. While the luminescent substance contained in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestions, and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers.

— Keep citronella candles, insect coils and tiki torch oil products out of reach. Ingestion can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression.

— Never use fireworks around pets. While exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns and/or trauma to the face and paws of curious pets, even unused fireworks can pose a danger. Many types contain potentially toxic substances, including potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals.

— Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, who can become frightened or disoriented by the sound. Please resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities, and opt instead to keep them safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home.

— Be prepared in the event that your pet does escape. Keep your pet’s ID up to date. It’s a good idea for all your animal companions — even indoor-only pets — to always wear a collar with an ID tag that includes your name, current phone number and any relevant contact information.