Calming remedies for firework scares for dogs and cats

Fireworks unfortunately are not just fun for your dog or cat.

Many dogs and cats become anxious about fireworks and exhibit stress. Loud bangs caused by fireworks but also during thunderstorms hit animals even harder than humans. They don't know what fireworks are but also, because they can hear even better than we already can. If your pet has a negative fright experience several times during fireworks, it may develop a fear of them. If such a startle reaction takes place too often or the animal seems to get confirmation from its owner that fireworks are indeed very unpleasant, then anxiety can develop. How can you help anxious dogs and cats during the period of fireworks or thunderstorms?

Can dogs and cats become desensitised to loud noise?

For puppies and dogs that are not yet really afraid of loud bangs, you can start by getting them used to sounds as read in Fireworks And Hard Bangs, Your Puppy Can Get Used To It. It is very important to start this in time, though, because it can sometimes take quite a while before your pet can relax and listen to the sounds. Also, you don't want to be practising while there are already many loud bangs outside. Ultimately, though, making your pet insensitive to sounds (sound desensitisation) is the most relaxed and useful method to change its reaction to stressful sounds. Sometimes just by desensitising an animal to loud bangs does not work. Then it may be necessary to support them with calming products during training. Fortunately, there are more and more ways to support your dog or cat during the loud noises and fireworks period

Supportive and Calming Products

If your pet became really ill from the stress and anxiety caused by fireworks last year, or if you notice this now in increasing numbers, it is advisable to consult your vet first. Very severe anxiety and stress often requires more medication.

Feromones for dogs and cats

If you want to support dogs and cats without giving them other food or nutritional supplements, pheromones are the solution. You start using them around mid-December and can stop when the fireworks are over. The packs are usually enough for a month. Dogs are sensitive to, for example, Adaptil, an analogue of the dog's natural pheromone. Adaptil has the same effect as the substance secreted by its own mother. Its reassuring effect makes the animal feel more at ease. Adaptil's pheromones can be diffused through a vaporiser, through a necklace or through a spray. Adaptil not only works for fireworks anxiety, but can be used to treat other unwanted stress- and anxiety-related behaviours. There is a similar product for cats, but based on the facial pheromone. Cats emit this the moment they give heads and allows the cat to feel happy and familiar in its home. When using Feliway against anxious behaviour caused by fireworks, you can use the Feliway Classic Verdamper or spray. The Feliway Friends is meant more when there is stress in the house due to other cats.

Food with calming ingredients

. For dogs under 15 kg and cats, there is Royal Canin's ready-made Calm food with calming ingredients. This is a food that can be fed during the month of December but for animals with recurring complaints due to stress, this food can be offered for life. Royal Canin Calm contains the milk protein alpha-casozepine and extra L-Tryptophan which both have a positive effect on certain moods such as restlessness and anxiety, appetite and sleep behaviour. Royal Canin Calm Diet is available for dogs up to 15 kg and cats.

Soothing dietary supplements

As in humans, there are also nutrients see can have a calming effect and/or a positive effect on mood in animals. These are often products with green tea extracts, alpha-casozepine (milk proteins) from mother's milk, or natural amino acids that, in combination with other substances, make a positive contribution to reducing anxiety and stress. The advantage of using nutritional supplements is that the animals do not have to change feed and they do not have side effects that make them much more sluggish, for example. For optimal effect, it is recommended to start about a month in advance. Even when starting only a few days before the fireworks peak, many dogs and cats benefit from the products. The following calming dietary supplements are good to use Zylkene, Telizen or Adaptil Tablets(dogs only).
Bach has released Rescue Pets, a 100% natural remedy without alcohol, especially for animals. Rescue Pets is a natural product and is composed of a blend of 5 original Bach Blossoms and available as drops and in spray form.

The Thundershirt for dogs also during fireworks or thunderstorms

Reducing anxiety and stress by wearing a Thundershirt is a method brought over from America that works by applying constant gentle pressure to certain points of the body. The pressure has a calming effect on the nervous system and this provides relaxation and comfort to animals. The effect is actually similar to swaddling babies when they are very restless and tearful. With some dogs, it takes some time for them to get used to the shirt while others find it immediately pleasant and soothing.

-This is an automated translation-