The Fourth of July is just around the corner and that’s a good news / bad news situation. The good news is that we all enjoy celebrating with BBQs, parties, and the company of friends and family. The bad news is that fireworks are traditionally part of celebration.
Most dogs hate fireworks. Every boom and bang causes a fear response. The chart below shows many of the different ways dogs exhibit fear. To help your dog survive the scary boom & bang season you may want to try some of the following tips.
Your dog hears the loud fireworks noise and can also feel the percussive shockwaves of booms that happen fairly close to your residence. To minimize both sound and vibration, try creating a safe space in an interior closet or bathroom. The goal is to get as many walls as possible between the outside noise and your dog. If you use a clothes closet, leave the clothes on the rack because they help reduce soundwaves. If your dog is crate trained, put their crate in the closest. Put on some loud music (or the TV). Dogs tend to like classical music, so get out your Bach, Brahms, and Beethoven. You might also try some of the play lists for dogs on You Tube.
Get your dog a nice chew toy. Get yourself a glass of your favorite beverage. During the fireworks, keep yourself calm and relaxed. Your dog will hopefully follow your lead and relax. If you are jumpy and nervous you are letting your dog know that there is something bad happening and they get anxious and scared right along with you.
We carry several canine calming products. We recommend Stress Away Chews. Some dogs do well on products that contain CBD oils. We recommend ElleVet CBD Oils or Chews.
If your dog needs prescription strength medication, please contact us right away.
We are closed Saturday, July 4th and the Animal Emergency Clinic cannot prescribe medications unless you take your pet in for a physical exam.
Your dog’s response to a loud noise is like a person experiencing a panic attack but with different symptoms. Some of the signs may include:
Scared look or ears back
Whining or barking at the sound
Cowering
Being extra alert or more alert than usual
Lip licking
Not wanting to leave your side(clingy)
Pacing or unable to stand still
Panting
Destroying objects around the home
Freezing or unable to move
Hiding
Hurting himself/herself
Refusing to eat
Running away
Trembling or shaking
Yawning