4th of July Tips and Tricks
For people, the 4 th of July can be a day of celebration and relaxation. Unfortunately, for some of our furry family members, it can be a day filled with stress, disorientation and anxiety. Many dogs and cats respond well and don’t seem fazed. For others, it can feel like everything is crashing around them, leading to an increased number of lost pets and visits to the local emergency vet for anxiety related injuries.
The best advice is to be prepared. A little effort head of time can help relax both the pet parent and their furry family member. We’ve compiled a list of a few helpful tips below. These don’t include every therapy option available, but are some of the most common recommendations made by veterinarians:
Keep your pet safe and indoors. This will dampen the noise level and decrease the likelihood of your pet getting loose and becoming lost. Sometimes keeping your pet in an interior room or one that does not have outside walls or windows can decrease noise.
Make sure your pet has appropriate identification, just in case they do escape. This can be a collar and tag or an up to date microchip.
‘White noise” can help offset the outdoor sounds. Running a fan or white noise machine are common methods.
Feeling swaddled or in a smaller space can be calming for some pets. This may include items such as ThunderShirts, enclosed or covered pet beds or a favorite blanket to snuggle in. Some pets may even feel better being held by mom or dad. Just be wary, an anxious animal may act out in unpredictable ways, so give your pet space if it seems like they need it.
Prescription medications and supplements can also help if the above methods are not successful. There are several calming supplements on the market such as Zylkene, Anxitane, CBD supplements or calming treats. If your pet needs more assistance, your veterinarian can discuss prescription medications. With any of these options, it is always recommended to try it once or twice prior to the stressful event to confirm your pet responds in a positive manner. Every pet can respond differently and you want to gauge their response ahead of time.
There is often not a one-size-fits-all solution for every pet and many pet owners may have to utilize a combination of therapies (for example – use of a white noise machine and a calming supplement). If one therapy isn’t successful, don’t be afraid to attempt another route. Even mild improvements can be a big success and lessen your pet’s stress level!
We hope these tips are helpful and that you and your furry family members have a wonderful and safe 4 th of July! -Dr. Kathy & the Petey and Furends Team
Dr. Kathy grew up in Northern Virginia and is a local Washington D.C. area veterinarian. She is passionate about animal rescue and tries to assist the Petey and Furends Team whenever possible. In addition, she is the founder of Paws & Plants, a veterinary supplement company focusing on hemp products (www.paws-plants.com) for pets. To thank all of the Petey and Furends volunteers and adopters, Paws & Plants is offering a discount of $15 off your order through their online store with the coupon code PETEY15 until the end of August. Thanks for all you do!!!