Fireworks can send your pet into a panic. If your best friend has an extreme reaction to loud noises such as heavy panting, drooling, shaking, hiding, or trying to escape, you’re not alone: it’s estimated 40-50% of dogs suffer from noise aversion.
And, with New Year’s fast approaching, the noise level is only going to go up. The good news is there are a number of effective strategies you can adopt to minimize the impact of big bangs on your best friend, including:
- Putting your pet in a room and turning on white noise or soft music to dull the sounds
- distracting your pet with games and toys
- avoiding comforting or punishment—both reinforce the fear reaction
- consider getting your pet a Thundershirt
If any of the above approaches don’t work, we’re happy to consult with you about possible sedative medications and therapeutic treatments that are good for both short-term anxiety and long-term care.
Want to schedule a consultation or need more advice about how to minimize the impact of loud noises on your furry family member? Call (727) 846-8899 today!