St. Patrick’s Day Safety Tips for Dog Owners
Woo hoo, St. Patricks Day is right around the corner! If you plan to hit the streets with Fido for a parade or day at the bars, prioritize your dog’s safety first. Crowds and parades can be overwhelming for pups because of the rowdy watchers and loud sounds going on all around. Dogs are lost yearly at parades due to pet parents not prepping themselves and their pets for the festivities. Use this article as a St. Patty’s going-out guide!
Parade Safety
Before leaving, ensure Fido has their identification tags if you get lost in the crowd. Some things to keep with you while out with your dog include water, treats/food, and potty bags. Responsible pet owner behaviors don’t change for holidays.
Pet parents should be aware of people around them at all times. Strangers will inevitably try to pet your dog without asking, so check Fido’s temperament throughout. If you feel your dog is overwhelmed, take them away from the crowd to calm down and get more familiar with their surroundings.
The most enjoyable part of a parade is trying to catch what the floats are throwing; however, watch out that your furry friend isn’t eating unsafe items off the ground, like beads, candy, or small objects. Keep an eye on your dog while trying not to get knocked in the head with a piece of candy!
Keep Drinks Away
Like eating things on the ground, be aware of Fido trying to lick puddles of random liquids. When walking through the streets, the ground is covered in alcoholic beverages, which can be very dangerous for dogs to drink.
Be Food Cautious
Moreover, don’t feed your dog any human foods. Seasoned foods are highly toxic for pets, so don’t let them eat a pretzel off the ground. Likewise, avoid giving Fido any snacks with garlic, onion, chives, etc., to avoid a day of stomach issues. St. Patrick’s Day’s symbol, Shamrocks, are poisonous to animals, so keep those out of reach too!