DOGS & CATS
are not looking forward to 4th of July!
PLEASE NOTE: This article and resources included are helpful for dogs and cats acting stressed for other reasons beyond fireworks and storms. This includes remodel noises, outside noises in general or stress from changes in their lives.
Fireworks are coming and the animals will not be celebrating. This is a very scary time for your animal family members. Severe storms are also quite stressful. We want to help it go better for your entire family by helping you be prepared.
TIPS TO HELP CALM YOUR PETS
-Create a Safe Space: Set up a cozy den or a safe area where your dog can go to when they feel anxious/scared. This can be a walk-in closet with their bed, a crate with a bed/blankets, a room, or a corner with their favorite bed/blankets and toys. Help your dog build positive association to their safe area using treats and encourage them to go there during times of stress.
-Stay Calm and Provide Comfort: Animals are very intuitive and pick up on our emotions. It is best to stay calm and provide confident reassurance to your pets during fireworks/storms/stressful situations. Comforting touch or engaging in activities your dog enjoys can help distract them from the noises. Be sure to not overdo and coddle them, remain calm and confident. Encourage them to go to their safe space. Let them know they are doing a good job. You are their leader, their safe person and they look to you for guidance. So, don’t join the panic – be the calm and reassurance. Take deep breaths with audible exhales for your animal’s brain to receive as an instinctual calming message.
-Soundproofing and Light Reducing: Reduce external noises by closing windows, closing curtains, turning on lights near windows to block flashes (especially for lightning storms). Play music, TV or white noise loudly to help drown out the booming sounds. Amazon Echo on “Brown Noise” very loud paired with TV or music noise works very well. The goal is to drown out the external sounds and bright flashes. If no flashes, less light can be soothing. Most animals seek dark spaces for shelter.
-Provide Edible Goodies To Distract: You can use treat dispensers, licki-mats/bowls, puzzles or other favorite time occupying safe treat or chew to encourage self soothing.
-Invite Your Dog or Cat to Play: See if they want to engage in a favorite indoor play session. Get out their favorite toys and invite them to move and play with you. Some animals will play and the distraction can be helpful. Others won’t even consider playing at a time when they are scared – but it’s worth a try and could improve over time.
-Desensitization Training: This tip is best started weeks in advance but if your animals are stressed but not panicked, it could be helpful now. Gradually expose them to recorded thunderstorm/fireworks sounds at a low volume (YouTube has many for this purpose). Pair these sounds with positive experiences, such as treats, playtime, or cuddles. Over time, increase the volume gradually while rewarding calm behavior, helping your dog associate loud noises with positive outcomes.
-Use Calming Supplements: There are many natural supplements on the market for dogs and cats to help them be calm. Some work, some don’t. Some work for some animals and not for others. So if you have a favorite already, perfect – use it! Here are links to a few products that that we like. You can look for them at your local natural pet supply store, order direct from manufacturer, or shop various sights for best prices (Chewy, Amazon, Petco, etc.)
–Composure Liquid Calming Supplement for Dogs & Cats
They also have calming chews for dogs as well as cats. The liquid is stronger and can be easier to give to cats in food or by syringing directly in mouth.
–NutriCalm by RX Vitamins for Dogs & Cats – comes in capsules or liquid form, again making it easier to give to cats.
–HomeoPet Remedies for Dogs & Cats – homeopathic anxiety/stress relieving remedies that you can give frequently throughout a stressful time. No taste and easy to just drop into mouth.
–CBD Calming Treats for Dogs by ElleVet – There are several products on the market claiming to be calming. Some work, some don’t. ElleVet Sciences is reputable company and their product is worth a try if you want to explore this option.
-Use a ThunderShirt Calming Wrap: Most cats won’t go for this but dogs often appreciate the benefits. The snug fit is intended to create the feeling of a hug and calm the central nervous system, just like swaddling a newborn baby. To properly use a ThunderShirt, you need to first acclimate your dog to wearing it. Ideally, start using it during times of happiness and calm (after a walk, after a training session, while playing in the house or just resting and relaxing with the family). This helps their brain associate good feelings to wearing the shirt. Then, prior to the fireworks or storms starting, put on the shirt. A Thundershirt can remind your dog of feelings of calm and safety, and give them a feeling similar to coddling an infant. DO NOT just put the shirt on during stressful times only, or your smart dog will not like it because they will know it means scary things are coming.
-Utilize Nature’s Calming Pheromones: These can be used for loud noises, fireworks, travel or any stressful situation. They come as sprays to spritz around the house to provide calming messages as they move from place to place. They also come in “plug-in” styles to emit continued calming messages in the air. And, for dogs, there is a collar as an option. It’s good to have pheromones around regularly while stressors are happening. It’s also good to give animals a break from pheromones from time to time because they are constantly giving messages to the dog and cat brain.There are various companies that make pheromone products so you can shop around. Here are the links to two reputable companies with pheromone products: For DOGS and For CATS
-Always Have ID and Microchip: More dogs and cats escape and disappear on the 4th of July than any other day of the year. If they were to get out or lost, please increase the chances of them returning safely by making sure your dog/cat is wearing a collar with current identification tag and is microchipped. Rabies tags are not identification for finding you. Be sure to get a tag made with your phone number. Loving people often help scared animals and they need to be able to reach you to return your loved one.
-Consult a Professional: If your dog’s noise aversion is severe, consult with your veterinarian. They can provide a pharmaceutical medicine for your dog to help them be calm and safe if deemed necessary. Dog trainers/behavior specialists can help over time to build your dog’s abilities to handle stressful situations. Perhaps you want to address their fear issues as a long term project for best possible outcomes in the future.
Remember, each animal is unique
and what works for one might not work for another.
Be patient and consistent when helping your loved ones overcome their fear of loud noises. Life is a journey and fears can be overcome… or at least diminished significantly. Increased peace of mind awaits you and your family members with due diligence.
As the animals teach us… be in the moment, be in the love, and the rest unfolds gracefully from there.
We wish you and your beloved animal companions a happy, calm and fun summer!