topic Re: FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS? in Community Chat

FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS?

share — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 22:39:24 GMT

The community we live in goes completely overboard on the 4th of July and beyond, our sheltie will go berserk, we have given him vet prescribed medicine that really did nothing, I tried Bach homeopathic rescue remedy for dogs and it had the opposite effect. We have been given a tranquilizer to try this time. I dread it and worry about his well being taking this. I picked up a "calming aid" by NaturVetNaturals at the pet store today in a soft chew formula. Has anyone heard of these or tried and found something that will help during this weekend from you know where.

Re: FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS?

spot555 — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 23:03:23 GMT

I'm sorry to hear it scares your doggie that much. I've come to despise this holiday simply because of the idiots blowing everything up.

Rescue Remedy can be over-ridden by both animals & people if they are already excited. Try giving your new chews well in advance of the fireworks. Then continue the chews according to directions. It's so nice to see you trying the natural route (I do, too!)

I use a few Newton Homeopathic remedies with great success. If you have a high-end pet store nearby, they may have the brand. Here is the link to the remedy for anxiety...

http://www.newtonlabs.net/Pets-NervousnessFear/productinfo/P016/

Re: FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS?

spot555 — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 23:07:42 GMT

Forgot to mention that I buy my Newton remedies online at Only Natural Pet. Here's the link to that...

http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Newton-Homeopathics-Nervousness-Fear/161005.aspx

Re: FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS?

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 23:12:23 GMT

I haven't had to use anything for our dog. If you're concerned about the tranquilizer, maybe you can just give him half? I've read that you shouldn't really play into the dog's fears by coddling them. Rather, you're supposed to interact in a positive way or turn up the tv/music that will drown out the noise

One thing I'm big on is keeping the dogs home and not bringing them to any fireworks display. I think dog owners need to be respectful of the fact that there are people out there who do not like animals and don't want to be bothered by them. That would be bad enough, but then for the noises to potentially make the dog nervous or hyper (and perhaps bolt or bite), well, that's just a recipe for potential disaster. For everyone's safety and best interest, please keep the dogs home!

Re: FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS?

share — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 23:44:24 GMT

Thank you golden for your link to Newton Labs. I did not know they had remedies for pets, I actually use this brand myself ( with amazing results ) for ringing in the ears, I had to order it, as my local health food store stopped selling it. As for trying to drown out the noise we are surrounded very closely by several neighbors who set these off, and that just won't work, but thank you any way for that idea.

Re: FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS?

colliemom4 — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 23:49:52 GMT

My cat is scared of thunder. The strange things is that he just became frightened of it about a year or so ago, and I've had him for over seven years. He likes to curl up at the bottom of the stairs which doesn't seem like a secure area but he seems to think so. He won't budge from there so I just let him do what makes him feel better. Years ago we had a dog that hated fireworks and kept us up barking all night every time someone would set them off. I dreaded it. Nothing we did ever worked.

Re: FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS?

Sheltie Mom — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 23:50:40 GMT

Hi share, glad to meet another Sheltie person! I would stay home inside with the windows shut and the drapes closed with fans or a/c going. I don't know if you've ever tried the Thundershirts but it does seem to calm down my girl (mainly because I'm a slow poke getting it in her, lol) Also, giving one capsule of Benedryl also has a coming effect without any heavy drugs. My vet ok'd this.

Re: FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS?

jaxs mom — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 23:55:41 GMT

I'd try the Thundershirt before I tranquilized my pet.

Re: FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS?

Jeremiah 2911 — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 01:19:09 GMT

Get your dog some ear safe ear protection:

http://www.petexpertise.com/dog-safety/mutt-muffs-hearing-protection-for-dogs.html

These Mutt Muffs (pictured), a Thundershirt and a Feliway Plug in Diffuser for Dogs might just do the trick.

Happy 4th.

Re: FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS?

spot555 — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 01:28:58 GMT

Thundershirt- yes!

In addition to the natural meds, try one of these shirts. I have one for my Golden rescue & it worked amazingly well for his anxiety. They probably sell them at local stores like Petsmart.

Re: FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS?

spot555 — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 01:30:34 GMT

Jeremiah-

those ear muffs look great! I doubt that most dogs would wear them, but they're a good idea.

Re: FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS?

CrazyDaisy — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 01:31:46 GMT

While it is to late for this year, I highly recommend desensitization tapes. They are available for fireworks, thunder storms etc.. You start with the volume very low and over time increase to volume till they no longer are bothered by the sounds. The dogs I have now are not bothered however it really helped with one I had in the past.

For this year I would do whatever it takes to keep your dog safe and comfortable. I have found that natural products will help for mild reactions to the noise. If they have sever discomfort, use the medicine the vet gave you. It is better to keep them calm and safe.

Good luck

Re: FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS?

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 01:50:42 GMT

On 6/30/2014 Sheltie Mom said: Hi share, glad to meet another Sheltie person! I would stay home inside with the windows shut and the drapes closed with fans or a/c going. I don't know if you've ever tried the Thundershirts but it does seem to calm down my girl (mainly because I'm a slow poke getting it in her, lol) Also, giving one capsule of Benedryl also has a coming effect without any heavy drugs. My vet ok'd this.

SheltieMom, I noticed your location ..... my sisters live in Hamburg ... and I went to school in Orchard Park!

Re: FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS?

conlt — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 02:40:20 GMT

My youngest a Sheltie is scared to death of fireworks. I agree do not coddle the dog, act natural and try to get them to have fun. My girl hides under the bed it used to be for hours but she has improved.

Re: FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS?

surprise_sometime — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 03:23:06 GMT

My mother has a puggle that is not only terrified of thunder and fireworks, but also the vet. Anytime she takes him, she has to give him half a tranquilizer pill. His fear of fireworks has worsened each year, so my mom is planning on using this on the 4th. Not the most ideal route, but it's better than the anxiety he gets.

I've heard mixed reviews about the Thundershirt, half the people I know that use them swear by them, the other half said it did absolutely nothing. But it never hurts to try.

I always keep the a/c cranked, and a bunch of fans going, it seems to help my dog forget what's going on outside.

Good luck!!

Re: FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS?

stevieb — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 03:47:28 GMT

Isn't it just pathetic how so many folks just seem to regress to a near caveman state on this particular holiday. It'd be just fine with me if they banned the stupid fireworks altogether... If you've seen one, you've seen them all...

Re: FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS?

surprise_sometime — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 04:10:39 GMT

On 6/30/2014 stevieb said:
Isn't it just pathetic how so many folks just seem to regress to a near caveman state on this particular holiday. It'd be just fine with me if they banned the stupid fireworks altogether... If you seen one, you've seen them all...

Ugh I agree completely.

Re: FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS?

aubnwa01 — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 06:08:57 GMT

Where I used to live was near an indian reservation & they sold all sorts of the big bad noisy (& illegal) stuff, including some that were like the equivalent of sticks of dynamite. The fireworks stands would open & start selling this krap about Memorial Day & stay open until they sold out of all their wares, sometimes until mid August & it would go on until sometimes past 2am. It was like a war zone & the air was thick with the smell of gunpowder & the smoke hung in the air.

It was a nightmare for everyone, but my poor dog (Golden Retriever) was totally terrorized by it. She died in 1997 at 13 years old, but this was before the Thunder Shirts & all the other stuff they have now. She wasn't happy in the house at all & would just get frantic & pace & pant & she couldn't stay outside at nights during that time at all, so my vet gave me Ace to give her & I'd put her in the closed garage with a big soft bed & a radio playing to help mask the sounds. She was happiest out on the front lawn, for some reason, maybe the houses blocked the sounds a bit or something, but I couldn't leave her out of the front lawn all night, so she had to go in the garage for the nights. Poor thing.

Re: FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS?

colliemom4 — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 14:13:41 GMT

On 6/30/2014 Jeremiah 2911 said:
Get your dog some ear safe ear protection:

http://www.petexpertise.com/dog-safety/mutt-muffs-hearing-protection-for-dogs.html

These Mutt Muffs (pictured), a Thundershirt and a Feliway Plug in Diffuser for Dogs might just do the trick.

Happy 4th.

Those are so cute! I don't know about most dogs wearing them though.

Re: FIREWORKS AND PETS, ANY SOLUTIONS?

Julie928 — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 00:41:48 GMT

On 6/30/2014 surprise_sometime said:
On 6/30/2014 stevieb said:
Isn't it just pathetic how so many folks just seem to regress to a near caveman state on this particular holiday. It'd be just fine with me if they banned the stupid fireworks altogether... If you seen one, you've seen them all...

Ugh I agree completely.

I'm with you guys on that one! We have three dogs, all rescues. Our latest girl doesn't seem to mind thunder or fireworks, our male border collie/lab mix gets nervous but will just sit by my husband or myself, and then there's our 110 pound coonhound/plott hound mix. She is terrified of fireworks ~ she will try to get behind the computer desk, the TV, anywhere she hasn't a chance of fitting in. We feel so bad for her, so like so many of you we leave the air cranked, the TV up loud, etc. Our vet just prescribed Acepromazine tablets for her anxiety. I'm a little nervous about giving these to her but was told that many people use something like this for their pets for the 4th of July, thunderstorms, or even taking their pet to the vet. I'm dreading the holiday because of what our sweet girl goes through but am hopeful the pills will help calm her a bit. Best of luck to all of you who have pets with similar fears. Be safe and keep your fur babies safe!!!