Mt Martha Vet ClinicKeeping Dogs Calm During Thunderstorms and Fireworks
10 Things You Can Do to Keep Your Dog Calm During Thunderstorms and Fireworks
There is no ‘magic bullet’ that fixes the problem in all or even a majority of dogs. Often, a combination approach is required to achieve a detectable reduction in distress. It is normal for a dog to look anxious during a storm and if they seek a hiding place you should leave them, this is a coping mechanism and they will come to no harm.
1. DON’T fuss over, make sympathetic noises or talk to your dog in a high-pitched voice. For a dog, this makes them feel that you are worried too and reinforces their anxiety.
2. Allow outside dogs indoors, and if they seek a hiding place, you should leave them; this is a coping mechanism.
3. Using Dog Appeasing Pheromone. This comes in various forms.
4. Make your dog a cubby (not a typical kennel, as it is usually too big) as a ‘safe place’, somewhere quiet.
5. Stroking (long, slow, full-body strokes) alternated with deep muscle massage, or wearing a “Thundercoat”
6. Intensive environmental enrichment will help to keep your dog mentally occupied and reduce anxiety. During thunderstorms, provide your dog with the company of a calm, relaxed person who is sufficiently authoritative to encourage the dog to settle or go to its cubby. It is important that this person remains calm, ignores the dog’s anxiety, and does not appear distressed, as dogs can pick up on human stress.
7. Creating a relaxed environment will help your dog feel as calm about life as possible. Activities such as playing tug of war with their favourite toy, or using enrichment toys such as Kongs filled with treats, can help keep your dog occupied during times of anxiety. Please ask our team what options would best suit your dog.
8. If a combination of the above isn’t working, you may find that using a short-term anxiety treatment is the answer. Using an antianxiety medication can calm your pet down during the event and help prevent them from getting worse. It is best to start these early rather than wait until your dog is doing serious damage to your home or themself. Please contact us.
9. Seasonal use of medication during the thunderstorm season is also recommended to reduce anxiety. Please contact us.
10. If progress is unsatisfactory, referral to a veterinary behaviour specialist can be arranged – the website of one Melbourne-based specialist provider is www.animalbehaviour.com (others are available).