Now that storm season is in full swing, do you find your dog is reacting to them as if the world is ending? Are you cringing at the thought of summer fireworks, both the storm generated and the human displays? How do you help ease your dog through them?

There is a wide range of fear reactions to storms and/or fireworks. Some dogs seek a small space to hide. Some take comfort from being close to their owners, so much so that they climb them like a tree at the first boom. Others get so frantic that they become destructive or try to outrun the noise, finding their way out of the house or yard and getting lost.

For some pet parents, closing the curtains and leaving a TV or radio on is enough to take the edge off for their dog. Others can distract their dog with a puzzle toy or lickimat. A friend used to throw blankets in the bathtub as the storm approached because her dog would always try to hide there. Burrowing into the blankets leveled up her dog’s feeling of safety. Arby, one of my previous dogs used to hide behind/under the toilet. 

For dogs where distractions aren’t enough, we have a wide variety of calming products. Two of our customer’s favorites are by Herbsmith. Calm Shen is more of a long term product for general anxiety. July 3rd is a fast-acting remedy geared more towards storms and/or fireworks. You can read more in-depth knowledge about their ingredients and how they work together in this fabulous blog by Herbsmith.  I’ve personally had success with the drops from Homeopet Anxiety TFLN. After using these consistently around storms, Arby stopped hiding in the bathroom and instead would just stick close to the rest of the family. Many find a CBD product is the trick for their dog. We have a variety of forms available, from treats to tinctures. Some dogs with extreme anxiety may need medical intervention to keep themselves safe, if that describes your dog, please talk to your trusted vet.

When it comes to solutions, there is no one-size-fits-all for what helps calm your anxious pet. What works for one of your dogs may not work for the other. We’re happy to help you talk through your options for your specific situation, just stop in to chat with one of our staff.