My dog is deathly afraid of thunder and fireworks.She shakes terribly..is there anything I can do to "ease" it

Answer 1

Keep her out of it. When firework and thunder, let her stay in the room with less noise. Make sure she has water and a safe place to be.

Answer 2

The vet told me there is nothing to ease it because you cant predict when these noises are going to occur and so sedate the animal in time to make a difference, I was told that if you give them meds to make them sleepy after they are already scared the drugs have little or no effect. They suggested desensitization by playing recorded thunderstorms and fireworks at a low level at first as background noise and increasing the sound level and duration everyday until the dog gets used to it. I have tried with my dog but all has failed so far, and all I can do to help is comfort him with my presence wihtout giving him sympathy which only seems to make things worse. You might try the method above it may work for you but I have had no success with my dog yet.

Answer 3

That's not uncommon for pets to be uneasy, some are worse than others here are a few safe methods u can do to help your pet deal with the stress.
1. Stay with your pet, knowing your their will be reassuring, try keeping him/her close and pet and calm them with soothing talk.
2. If your pet keeps running off and hiding out, let them they know ur there but obviously feel safer in their hiding spot.
3. Try a calming noise like the tv or easy radio station they are used to already, try to close the windows to soften the bang. Another remedy often used for new pups getting adjusted to their new home is build them some sort of open crate that has an open front but is blocked and covered on all other sides, especially the top. it gives them a sense of security, even if you get a cage, layer it with blankets, take the door off, and cover the rest with another blanket, it's a feeling of saftey for some
4. if u must go out that night try a sitter, someone the pet is comfortable around, but always know You r the best security.
Good Luck, it will get better, in extereme circumstances a vet may prescibe meds, but i found the above tips to work just fine.

Answer 4

Dogs are going to be scared of them. They hurt the dog's ears as they are too loud for them. Put the dogs in an inside room in the house with a loud radio or television while there is thunder or fireworks. They won't hear it so much, and they'll be quite a bit happier.

Answer 5

The only thing I can think of is just to stay with the dog and reassure him/her.
Fireworks are illegal within Seattle City limits so there was not much of a problem with them....
However...pretty soon is SeaFair and the Navy Blue Angels will be in town and will be doing practice flights in area.
That really freaks a lot of the animals out.
Not much thunderstorm activity out here.

Answer 6

You can give her Chamomile tea, to help her relax and feel less anxiety.
Chamomile tea works very well, and is safe for her. Dump it outof the teabag, and use 1 teaspoon for small breed, up to 1 tablespoon for a large breed. Mix it in a little canned food, such as Mighty Dog, or Cesar's, and give about 30 minutes before she needs to relax. It will keep her happy, but reduce stress. It can be given as needed.

If your grocer doesn't carry chamomlile, you can use 'SleepyTime Tea' as it is the same,but with added herbs. Plain chamomile tastes better to a dog.
You can also desinsitize her to the sound of storms, by playing the storm sound CD...begin playing it quietly and increase volume as she seems more comfortable with it.

Answer 7

Get some doggie downers at the vets office. Make sure she is tranquilized at least 1/2 hr before the booms start. Keep her away from the noise with TV or radio and console her with some light petting. Just becareful not to sneak up on her with all the attention changes (TV or radio) she may not react well to the doggie downers.. could nip at you.

Answer 8

Yes, definitely you can. My husband and I live in Miami and our anniversary is Halloween, consequently our dogs are subjected to fireworks on The 4th of July,
Oct.31, and New Years. They also have to endure the summers and hurricane season. Simply ask your vet for "doggie downers" and explain why. I endured hurricane Wilma with both dogs on the bed sleeping peacefully next to me while my husband sat near the patio door listening to every sound. He doesn't have a script for Xanax for anxiety. The dogs and I were fine.

Answer 9

Keep her away from it all as much as possible. In an inner room where the noise is not so loud. Give her strokes and reassurance. She's got a sensitive nervous system which is a good thing. (Means she will be sensitive to you, so you don't want to destroy that by firing guns at her or any other harshness!)

Answer 10

During those times, put her in a room with a radio and turn it up until it drowns out the noise of fireworks and thunder. Put on something she likes...maybe Metallica?