Fireworks and the outdoors are fun, but not always for your pet. Keep them safe this holiday.

Celebrations for the Fourth of July will bring family, friends and fireworks to many backyards. While that may sound delightful to you, it might not to your pet. Loud noises, unfamiliar faces and a change in routine are oftentimes overstimulating, to the point that a furry friend might slip away undetected. This weekend’s sweltering heat won’t be any help to your pet’s nerves either.

“The Fourth of July is when most pets go missing. That’s the day that more pets go missing than any other day year,” said Noelle LeVee Patterson, director of philanthropy and communication at the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter.

Here’s what the pet experts recommend to keep your pet cool, calm, collected and most importantly, cozy at home:

Don’t bring them along to the celebrations

If you’re going out to celebrate, it’s best to leave your pet at home, even if you think they won’t get startled.

“When you think they might be okay with the sounds, maybe they are, but then maybe they’re not,” said Katie Flory, community care and advocacy director at Maryland SPCA.

It’ll be bordering on too hot for humans to be out partying, so it’ll be even worse any fuzzy companions. Be a good pet parent and let them relax in the air conditioning at home.

Reach out to your vet

If you know ahead of time that your pet struggles with anxiety when it comes to loud noises and fireworks, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. They’ll be able to prescribe medication if needed.

Your veterinarian — or an emergency vet — will also be the one to call if your animal has overheated or developed heatstroke.

Some signs to look out for are:

• Panting
• Drooling
• Vomiting
• Loss of balance
• Sluggish movements
• Dry gums that are either bright red or very pale
• Seizures

Plan walks before the parties begin

You may have to adjust your schedule over the holiday weekend. Minimize your pet’s exposure to large crowds by taking them out earlier in the day. When it’s time for exercise this weekend, bring lots of water try to walk on grass as much as possible. If you have to hit the pavement, test the temperature with your hand first.

Dinner time might also have to come a bit earlier. Caring Hands Hospital suggests serving food before the fireworks start, because a full stomach will help animals settle for the evening.

Provide a safe indoor space

While the party is going at home, it’s best to get them away from the fray. Put them in a room or crate they can’t escape from with enrichment activities and toys to keep them occupied. Flory also recommends turning on music or the television to drown out sounds.

Make sure your pet has some identification

Even with all these tips, there’s still a chance your pet might slip away. Microchips and collars will help them be identified and reunited with you as soon as possible.

What to do if your pet runs away

Trying to find a missing pet can be extremely stressful. These steps will help you get them back:

• Walk around the surrounding neighborhood. Usually, pets stay within the area when they run away.
• Put up missing flyers and be selective with what you include. Flory advises against putting everything there is to know about your pet. It might be helpful to add a note letting people know that your animal is especially shy, but most of the time, all you need is a current photo and contact number.
• Send an alert to social media groups dedicated to lost animals.
• Post to Petco Love Lost, a platform that utilizes facial recognition tools to identify your pet. If someone on the site stumbles on to your pet, they can upload a photo, and you’ll be contacted right away.
• Contact all the shelters in the area.