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4th Of July and Pets Don't Mix
Posted by:
jn on
July 1, 2009 at
4:17PM MT
 Beautiful, striking, patriotic.  But, this is what your pets see and experience. Scary, yes? Fireworks and thunderstorms are terrifying to many dogs and cats; our dogs tremble, pant, pace and even become destructive. Our cats shake, meow strangely, and become skittish. Pet anxiety is serious, especially for those who suffer continually. Your pet may flee the scene in terror and be hit by a car, get lost or stolen. He or she may jump through a screen or even a glass window, scratch the walls or rip apart your furniture. So, how to help and calm your fearful pet? Ideally, you will be prepared well in advance, but if you're not, the following tips may be helpful. Resist the urge to take pets to Independence Day festivities. Instead, keep them safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area inside your home. Provide your pet with a safe place to seek refuge. Dog crates, under a bed or chair, or a closet are common hiding places for pets. Your pet chooses these places because he/she feels protected and the noise of thunder or fireworks is muffled. If your pet has not already picked out a place, provide one. Try leaving a few treats in a safe place to encourage your pet to go there. Make sure windows are closed and secure. Distraction - Calming music, "white noise" such as fans or A/C, TV, radio to drown out the scary sounds. The volume on a tv or radio should be at a normal comfortable level to both you and your pet, not loud or annoying. Synthetic Pheromones - These products may reduce or even prevent stress-related behavior if your pet's anxiety is mild to moderate. Not every pet responds to them.  For your cat, Feliway® Plug-In Diffuser is recommended, or lightly spritz a small amount of Feliway Spray® on his/her bedding and favorite hangouts. Likewise, for your dog, apply a small amount of D.A.P.® Dog Appeasing Pheromone Spray in the cage and if in an enclosed area, plug in a D.A.P.® Dog Appeasing Pheromone Electric Diffuser. Feliway® for cats and D.A.P®. for dogs are available at most pet stores and online pet retail shops. Anti-Anxiety Meds - In some areas, thunderstorms or scary sounds can happen daily. If your pet experiences the misery of anxiety on a constant or extreme basis, your vet may prescribe anti-anxiety drugs (like Xanax) or Prozac-like drugs (like Clomicalm or Reconcile). Talk to your vet in advance, about the options. Conversely, these medications may affect dogs differently, so you should never give a medication and then leave the dog alone, unattended. Positive stimulation - Some veterinary behaviorists debate whether or not you should "coddle" your fearful pet during fireworks or thunderstorms. This decision has to be a choice based on your intuition of your pet's ability to handle stress or fear. If you feel it calms your pet to hold him/her and coo to him or her, by all means, proceed. However, some pets may become "conditioned" to this method and rely on you to coddle them in other situations where it isn't truly necessary. Other pet owners have success by assuring the pet there is nothing to fear, then diverting the pet's attention to something more pleasing such as playtime, grooming, or simply being nearby the pet with no additional stimulation. Desensitize - Try "desensitizing" your dog (or cat) to loud noises so the sound becomes normal. This is usually done by playing recorded thunder at a low volume and in short intervals while you monitor your dog’s behavior. Try to distract your dog while the noise is present by playing fetch or engaging in some sort of enjoyable activity. If your dog is too frightened to participate, you need to turn down the intensity of your thunder stimulus and try again later. This process is long and requires patience, but in the end your dog will be much more comfortable during a storm. Sound CD's are available in most pet stores and online pet retail stores. Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard, enclosure, tethered, or on a chain. In their fear, pets who normally wouldn't leave the yard may escape and become lost, stolen or hit by a car. They can also become entangled in their leash or chain, risking injury or death. Make sure your pets have a microchip and are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, the likelihood of recovery is greater. Never use fireworks around pets. Exposure to lit fireworks can result in severe burns and trauma to the face and paws of curious pets. Even unused fireworks can pose a danger. Many types contain potentially toxic substances, including potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals. Do not leave your pet in a car or truck. With only hot air to breathe inside a car, your pet can suffer serious heat stroke — even death — in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air or escape of heat. An open window also invites your pet getting stolen. Have a happy and safe holiday, and make sure your pets have one too!
Send This | Categories: 4th of July, Behavior, fear, Billings, Cats. Dogs, City of Billings, Fireworks, Health, Holiday, Local, Products
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