Help pets destress before fireworks explode
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on July 1, 2018 3:05 AM
Full Size
Submitted photo
The Thunder Shirt not only gives a pet a feeling of security, but some also have a patch where you can spray on some pheromone calming spray.
Full Size
News-Argus/BECKY BARCLAY
Aromadogs, like these at Pet Supplies Plus, release a lavender scent when your pet plays with it and will help calm him or her down during noisy fireworks. Plus, it will help keep your pet distracted from the fireworks.
Full Size
News-Argus/BECKY BARCLAY
A pet puzzle, like this one at Pet Supplies Plus, will help keep your pet distracted during noisy fireworks so he or she is not stressed.
Full Size
News-Argus/BECKY BARCLAY
If your pet gets stressed during Fourth of July fireworks, try some true hemp calming chews, like these from Pet Supplies Plus.
Most people get a thrill from watching colorful fireworks explode in the night sky on the Fourth of July.
But the noise and bright colors can sometimes stress out Fido. However, there are precautions pet owners can take to make the Fourth of July holiday a little easier for their pets.
"Obviously, some dogs have problems with loud noises," said Dr. Osbone Wilder with Berkeley Veterinary Clinic. "With those dogs and especially during fireworks, if you do think they're prone to get scared, keep them inside so they don't run away."
Barrett Rae with Eli's Friends said the Fourth of July is probably one of the largest intake days for an animal shelter because of dogs getting away from home due to the loud noises, colors and flashing lights.
"Dogs are terrified of fireworks," she said. "Inside dogs or outside dogs, both can be scared. Make sure an outside dog goes inside and an inside dog stays inside. They cannot be outside. You run a higher risk of them getting away, jumping a fence where they never have before."
Some pets may need prescription medications to get them through July Fourth, Wilder said.
"Most dogs we tend to use prescription medicines like alprazolam and trazadone, two drugs we've used with success," he said. "We're not trying to knock your dog out, but take away the anxiety.
"But you should always consult with your veterinarian before giving your dog prescription medicine."
And never give your pet a dose of a human prescription. Wilder said depending on the size of the animal, the dosing can be dramatically different. He said you should give your pet a calming medicine a few hours before fireworks are due to start. And beware that some medications may not be an option for your pet if it has a health condition.
If a dog gets too scared of fireworks, it can harm itself, Wilder said.
"Some can get destructive and can tear up door frames," he said. "It can injure itself trying to get out of its crate, too. Being stressed can be harmful. And stress, with a pre-existing condition, can cause problems."
Rae said some people tend to take their dogs with them to fireworks displays and leave them in the car, but that's not a good idea.
"They get scared in the car," she said.
"Anxiety during fireworks is way up and you will see your pet panting, nervous, drooling, pacing, trying to hide under something and trying to crawl on you. They're very scared. But you don't wanna to coddle them because sometimes that builds more anxiety. But just be around and make sure they are safe.
"They can sit on the couch with you. Or you can get on the floor with them. Give them something to do, like a Kong, which is a rubber toy that you can stick treats in for them to eat. Give them something to distract them. Sometimes even a TV or radio can be turned on to mask the noise of the fireworks."
One important thing to do is make sure your pet has a tag that's readable if it hasn't been microchipped. Then if something does happen and your pet gets out of the house or yard, at least it has some kind of identification.
In addition to prescription medicines for anxiety, there are some natural things you can.
A new item at Pet Supplies Plus is Homeopet Fireworks that helps with pacing, barking and hiding and helps calm pets down during loud noises.
"It's a natural homeopathic that they take internally," store team leader Lindsey Clark said. "You give it to them a few hours before the fireworks are scheduled. You give it directly in their mouth or in their water. You can use it for a day or two for dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and even puppies."
The store also has different calming supplements that contain melatonin, chamomile, tryptophan and other things. There are Chill Out dog treats with lavender extract in them that has a calming effect. There is a hemp oil that you can put in your pet's food and also hemp treats you can give your pet.
"We also have diffusers that you can plug into the wall," Clark said. "It's a natural pheromone that calms down multiple pets. Or you can get a collar that stays with your pet wherever it goes in the house. Both can be used for dogs and cats."
Then there is the Thunder Shirt, which can be used on either a dog or cat to help calm it down.
"We've had a lot of good feedback on those," Clark said. "We well a lot of them this time of year, too. There's a Thunder Shirt that has a patch that you can put some spray mist on it so they get some of the natural pheromones. Then they wear the vest, which makes them feel secure, and you add in some of the spray, too."
There's also a calming mist spray that you can use on your pet's bed.
Especially for cats, who can be picky and don't like a lot of treats or sprays, the store carries a pawl gel. Clark said you put it on your cat's paw and the cat licks it off.
She said it's a good idea to keep your pet preoccupied with other things during fireworks, like an Aromadog, a toy that's infused with lavender. Or try a puzzle that your dog has to manipulate to get a treat out of.
Clark said antler chews, real and artificial, are good alternatives to other treats to help calm your pet and take its mind off the fireworks.
Anything you can do to help your pet deal with fireworks will help it.
"Fireworks is a really loud noise and your pet may not know what's going on," Clark said. "I have a dog who's fine with thunderstorms, but fireworks are a lot louder and scare her. We had a firework hit our house one time and I think that traumatized her."
"You and your pet can both have a safe and happy July Fourth," Rae said. "Just try to make it as normal as possible."