Big Bad Boom
Top 10 Ways to Reduce Fear of Loud Noises (including Storms & Fireworks)
Pets may react with shaking, hiding, pacing, drooling, or howling due to any kind of loud noise - thunder, fireworks, loud machinery, sirens, etc. They need help to find a quiet place and learn to self calm in the face of these triggers. Here is a guide to help. If your dog or cat is still very agitated please call for a consult - chronic fear threatens their health.
- Give your pet the anti anxiety medication or sedative hours before the storm or when you know there will be a lot of noise. If your pet is highly anxious the medications will not work as well and you will have to keep increasing the dose.
- Designate a safe/quiet area for your pet and always have it available for them - Keep the carrier out with a familiar blanket - a bathroom with a mat for them
- Toss their food nugget at meal time into the safe area to train them to go in easily - make it fun - like a game. See crate training video on youtube channel drsallyjfoote
- Play heavy beat rock music or dance music to muffle sounds
- Try Adaptil (for dogs) or Feliway (for cats) pheromone products early in the day of noise triggers - available at veterinarians and pet stores
- Avoid petting, holding, or heavy soothing when your pet is anxious - when they are more calm talk to them more or pet them
- Give your dog at least 1 minute of walking per pound of dog - walking stimulates good brain chemicals to help during fearful events.
- Play with your cat 10 minutes a day - Activity also calms cats down
- Plan ahead and follow your plan - watch the weather to start meds, or get into safe area early, board your pet to avoid construction noise, or fireworks
- Get a behavior consult to have a custom plan for your pet - many pets have become calm even with years of problems when a consult combined with appropriate therapy was started using a veterinary offering behavior services.
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