The summer activities we love can cause our pets stress, or even pose a danger to them.

Keep your pets safe with these summer safety tips:

– Remind guests not to feed your pets. Picnic staples like alcohol, chicken wings and desserts can be dangerous to pets, and the artificial sweetener “xylitol” in sugar-free foods can be deadly.

– Only use sunscreen or insect repellent on your pets if the label says it’s safe for animals.

– Keep pets home during firework displays. Create an area where they feel safe and comfortable. Distract them with ambient noise from a TV or radio.

– Brent Bardell, SPCA Tampa Bay