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Whether you go hunting with your dog, or have him in the vicinity
of festivities involving fireworks (whether it is a public
setting or your own backyard), you need to understand the dangers
of having gunpowder around your canine friends.Most of the
gunpowder in the market is made from just a few ingredients โ
sulfur, potassium nitrate and carbon. Fireworks also contain
chlorates, copper, aluminium and barium salt. If your dog
accidentally ingests gunpowder, it can make him seriously ill.
Most cases of accidental ingestion are followed by diarrhea and
vomiting. The potassium nitrate in the gunpowder is responsible
for the abdominal issues.While ingestion is not usually lethal,
it can cause other problems like low blood pressure. If your dog
ingests gunpowder in large quantities, it can lead to
methemoglobinemia, a condition where the blood gets oxidized and
cannot carry the oxygen well. If your dog is vomiting, there is a
high chance that he swallowed a shell casing, which can lead to
blockages and other associated internal complications. Rush your
dog to the vet if you think he is vomiting shell casings or
gunpowder is to blame.
What should you do in case your dog accidentally ingests
gunpowder?
In most of the cases, dogs end up vomiting the gunpowder they
ingest as their bodies have a way of getting rid of the toxins
before they cause any serious harm. Still, we urge you to call a
veterinarian for medial support.
How to keep your dog safe?
When you shoot off fireworks, make sure that your dog is far away
or inside the house. If you come across any ammunition or
fireworks within your petโs reach, whether it is while you are
out walking or inside the house, place it away from his reach.It
is worth noting that illegal fireworks tend to contain larger
quantities of gunpowder and you should make sure that your dog
gets nowhere near them. Also, make sure that you keep your dog
away from fireworks shows. And please stay on the lookout for any
leftover fireworks or crackers, even after the showโs over. For
example, if municipal fireworks are being set off at the local
park, then do not take your dog walking in that area immediately
afterwards. The barium salts that are used to generate colors in
the fireworks can lead to life threatening complications if
ingested. Among the observed symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting,
slow heart rate, drooling, muscle weakness at best, paralysis at
worst, abnormal cardiac rhythms, high blood pressure and
shock.Last, but not the least, if you are going to take Fido for
a walk in an area where there was a display of fireworks
recently, then wipe his paws with a wet rag to remove all the
traces of gunpowder.
How To Keep Your Dog Safe From Fireworks
If you are a dog owner then you know that the Fourth of July is a
very stressful time for your dog. Fireworks and loud noises
during this time of the year can terrify any dog and make the
whole experience traumatic and distressing for them.Dogs get
petrified and try to hide to isolate themselves from all the
noise.Here are some tips to keep your dog safe and calm during
fireworks.
Tire your dog out
Take your dog out for long walks and make sure that he gets
plenty of exercise. The physical exhaustion will tire them out
and your dog is likely to sleep through the fireworks. Keep your
dog in a closed and airy room with his favorite toys and a bed.
This will keep them at ease and will protect them from wandering
out due to stress.
Distract them
Use interactive toys to keep your dog distracted during
fireworks. An engaging toy will catch your dogโs attention and
they are less likely to pay attention to whatโs going on around
them. Treat dispensing toys work best in these kinds of
situations.
Keep doors and windows
closed
Keeping your doors and windows closed will block out most of the
noise during fireworks. Your dog will not experience much stress
if they are kept as far away as possible from the sound of
fireworks.You can also drown out the noise by turning up the
volumes of your television or radio.
Make sure that your dog is
wearing an ID tag
Dogs tend to wander away when they are stressed out by the noise
of fireworks. They become restless and can get lost easily in the
midst of all the hustle and bustle. Make sure that your dog is
wearing an ID tag at all times and also keep a recent photo of
your dog with you. Make sure that the contact details in the ID
tag are updated.
Behave as normally as
possible
If you act strange around your dogs. If dogs detect something
amiss in the way you behave their stress levels will climb
several notches. They will become restless and stressed. In order
to calm your dog, it is important to stay calm and composed
yourself. Keep reassuring your dog and be with him as much as
possible.
Get your dog used to the
sound
One of the best ways to keep your dog safe during fireworks is to
get them used to the sound of fireworks. Trying playing sound
clips with fireworks and train your dog to be calm and obedient
during this time. Slowly increase the volume and intensity of
such sound clips and all the while encourage your dog to hold up
his own. Remember to be firm but patient while training your
dog,.