How to Calm Your Pet’s Storm & Firework Fears
Whether it’s thunderstorms or fireworks, loud noises are scary! Animals may hide, tremble, become destructive, or even run away when they’re scared – and we as pet parents can feel overwhelmed when nothing seems to calm them down. Unfortunately, there is no overnight cure to noise phobias, we do have an entire toolkit of options to help. Try these tips alone or in combination, and remember that consistency is key as we shift their perception of big booms from scary to safe.
Tips for alleviating noise-associated fear:
- Create a safe space. Your pet needs a place that is always accessible, has snacks and water, a comfortable bed, and maybe a few favorite toys. For many people, this is a kennel or other designated space that is only for your pet, and never used for punishment.
- This gives your pet somewhere to go when they feel uncertain. They know where everything is, what everything smells like, and it brings a sense of familiarity and comfort.
- Use pheromones. Species specific pheromones are available as plug-ins, sprays, or gel diffusers, and provide a calming scent to the environment (one that we as humans cannot smell!). This provides a calm baseline when things start to get scary.
- Turn on a noise machine. Is it going to drown out those fireworks? Probably not. But it can help establish a new baseline of sound, making that big “BOOM” feel like more of a “Boom.”
- Give Treats! Pro-tip: Save the best stuff for the worst stuff. Does your dog go bonkers for peanut butter? That’s great! But don’t give it to them every day. Instead, save that super special treat for when they’re extra anxious and need it the most. And treats don’t have to be food related! This trick also works with special toys that are only brought out during times of stress.
- Distract. Distract. Distract. Provide your pet with something to focus on that isn’t the super loud & scary thunderstorm. That high-value treat we just talked about? Make them work for it. Puzzle feeders are wonderful for this! Even better – freeze it.
- Consider medications. There are medications that can be prescribed for both situational and constant anxiety, however both work best when combined with training and the tips listed above.
- Schedule a consultation with your veterinary team. Every pet is different, and your veterinary team is an essential resource in determining what may work best for your situation.
Overcoming any fear is a huge task to ask of anyone – especially our pets. Celebrate small wins, reward and reinforce progress, and remember that managing a noise phobia is a marathon, not a sprint.