Tips for Helping a Pet Anxious about Loud Noises

The July 4th holiday is just around the corner, and with it comes the sparks, flashes, and booms of fireworks. Although most people enjoy watching a fireworks display, our pets may seek refuge from the thunderous noise and intense bursts of light. Sometimes that “seeking refuge” manifests itself in ripped up carpeting,

Do you know that many pets are negatively affected by loud noises, such as thunderstorms and fireworks? Sometimes such anxieties originate from being exposed to a sudden, loud, disturbing noise even when young that results in a lasting bad memory. The fear of fireworks may be from light flares which accompany the noise, the strong sulfur smell that comes after the explosion, or the suddenness or frequency of the noise (such as a screeching rocket).

As the July 4th holiday approaches and summer progresses with its storm activity, there are ways you can help your pet deal with its anxiety of loud noises.

Keep your pet in a confined area – it may try to escape from the backyard, therefore, keep it inside the house in a quiet area, such as the basement or a closet, with a comfortable bed and a familiar toy.

Leave a radio or CD player on with soothing music.

Consider moving fragile items and protecting furniture in case your pet shows signs of destructive behavior.

Your veterinarian may recommend anti-anxiety medication, some of which is available without a prescription .

A product called Thundershirt shows promising results. This drug-free solution, made for both dogs and cats, uses gentle, constant pressure on an animal’s torso (like swaddling or hugging) to help calm a nervous pet. What acupuncture and acupressure does for people, the Thundershirt, by applying pressure to dogs and cats, has proven to help calm them during noisy situations that can cause stress.

One or more of these ideas can help your furry friend be calmer, if s/he is prone to noise anxiety, during the upcoming 4th of July festivities and throughout the summer season as well.