DOG DAYS OF SUMMER SAFETY TIPS: NOISE ANXIETY AND 4TH OF JULY

Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day can be miserable days for some dogs. Fireworks can make scaredy-cats out of our canine companions. That is because, like humans, they are hardwired to be afraid of sudden, loud noises. It is what keeps them safe in this big world. However, unlike humans, they do not understand that the fanfare that is Fourth of July is not a threat and they are not under siege.

While veterinarians and animal professionals do not always know exactly why some dogs are afraid of fireworks and others are not; we do know that many dogs that react to fireworks will often react to other loud noises like thunderstorms. Therefore, early intervention and treatment are essential in protecting the welfare of these terrified dogs.

1. Evaluate your pup, especially if your dog's noise sensitivity is relatively new. One recent study found a link between pain and noise sensitivities in older dogs; indicating that muscle tension or sudden movements in response to a loud noise may aggravate a tender area of the body and cause an correlation between the noise and pain; leading to fear of that particular noise.

2. Create a safe haven in your home with a secure door or gate (preferably away from windows). Close the blinds/curtains to reduce outdoor noises and create a white noise for your canine to help block out the fear noises. Mellow music, fans or a white noise machine can all work to create this environment.

3. Create a positive out of a negative. Play a game with your dog during the fireworks. Feed your pup a treat during each boom or set up a treat dispensing machine to help keep your dog distracted during peak moments of fireworks and/or thunderstorms.

4. Consider anxiety wraps or thundershirts. This does not work on all dogs, but applying gentle pressure may help to lower heart rates. These items operate on the belief that they swaddle a scared animal and thus calm its fears. However, these work best when combined with a complete behavioral treatment plan including the potential for medicine and/or behavioral modification. Shop for canine compression shirts at https://www.thundershirt.com.

5. Finally, CBD can help with noise related anxiety when administered at the right times and at the correct dose. We have a 50 pound pitbull; he suffers from extreme noise anxiety. We start the day before with a 5mg treat before we go to bed; then another 5mg treat in the morning. In the evening, when the loud fireworks/thunderstorms start, he gets another 5mg treat.

During mild thunderstorms, one treat is enough (which we generally give in the morning of the expected thunderstorm/event). However, when storms/loud noise events are unplanned, we will give two 5mg treats to relax our pooch. We do not give him CBD everyday for his noise anxiety; however, in Texas this is multiple times a week during the summertime. CBD is non-toxic, non-addictive and non-psychoative; so do not be afraid to give it to your dog. Shop for CBD Dog Treats and/or CBD Pet Oil/Tincture at https://www.labarkeria.dog/cbd-treats.