Tis the season for fireworks. This week, if it's not thunder ringing out, it's fireworks. Once the evening storms stop, the nighttime sky will be lit up and massive booms will ring through the air. Enjoyed by many people, loud noises from storms and pyrotechnics can send pets into an all out panic. The 4th of July can be a very challenging day for many pets and their owners. Shelters report this as their busiest time of year, as panicked pets escape from homes and yards. Fortunately, there are many medical, behavioral and over the counter treatment options for pet anxiety and noise phobias. Some tips and treatment options may include the following:
1. Desensitization therapy. Recordings or MP3s of thunderstorms can be played at gradually increasing volumes on sunny days to get your pet used to the sound of thunder.
2. Exercise. A well exercised dog, both mentally and physically, is nearly always a better behaved dog. Exercise your dog early in the day before the fireworks start.
3. Distractions. Providing your pet with something else to do can help minimize anxiety. For dogs a kong filled with treats like frozen peanut butter can help keep them occupied. Interactive cat toys can reduce feline anxiety.
4. Thundershirt or Anxiety Wrap. Available at many of the local specialty pet stores, these shirts provide gentle pressure that can provide a calming hugging sensation. The thundershirt has been shown to be an OK adjunct treatment for storm phobias in some pets.
5.Safe-room in the house. Keep your pets inside during firework and thunderstorms. Provide a safe area for your pet to use to hide from the noise. A small windowless or basement room would be ideal to minimize noise. Dogs frequently like small enclosed spaces such as a crate when feeling anxious.
6. Feliway for cats or Adaptil for dogs. Available as sprays or diffusers (both) or a collar (Adaptil), these provide pleasing pheromones that provide a calming effect. They are available over the counter through your veterinarian and pet supply stores.
7. Anxitane. Available through your veterinarian, Anxitane is an amino acid nutritional supplement that has been shown to reduce anxiety. It has no known side effects.
8. Alprazolam/Xanax. Available by prescription from your veterinarian, this drug is similar to Valium and can reduce anxiety in some patients. Definitely ask your vet if this drug is appropriate for your pet. Medication alone is the answer.
9. Prozac. For long term generalized anxiety management medication, this may be an option. Consult your veterinarian
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Should your pet escape, you can increase the chance of your pet’s safe return by making sure your pet has both identification tags and a microchip. If you do lose a pet, notifiy the local animal control officer and local shelters. Post your pet's picture and information on both your own social media page and the pages of local animal related businesses to spread the word. Locally, the group Dog Gone Recovery has had great success finding missing dogs.
