Hauppauge, NY - July 1, 2016 - Independence Day is a day to remember the people who believed in our freedom and paved the way for every American to have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The July 4th holiday may be lots of fun for you and your family but may pose a very dangerous situation for your family pet.  According to Roy Gross, Chief of the Suffolk County SPCA, "we may over indulge in a BBQ but the scraps fed to a dog may create gastrointestinal problems.  Keep your dog on a regular diet and be sure to ask your guests not to give table food to your pet!"  Any change, even for one meal, can give your pet severe indigestion and diarrhea. Foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes and raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to companion animals.

A few other useful tips may help make July 4th safer for your dog:

• Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, so please resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities. Instead, keep your little guys safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home. Turn on some music to drown out noise from fireworks.

• Neighborhood celebrations contain loud fireworks and sparklers that are very hot.  Use the same caution for your pets as you do for your children. 

•  Make sure your pet always wears a collar and identification tag.

The Suffolk County SPCA  is a private, nonprofit, charitable organization and the voice for animals in Suffolk County.  We do not receive taxpayer or public funding and we must rely on the support and generosity of donors to exist.  Please help us to provide a better life for pets and other animals in Suffolk County. Donations can be mailed to: Suffolk County SPCA, P.O. Box 6100, Hauppauge, NY 11788-0099 or by logging onto our to www.suffolkcountyspca.org