Carol Fisher-Linn
Fireworks season is here. Your delight could be your pet’s worse nightmare….
The countdown is beginning in communities around the United States. Of course, we expect to see and hear firework displays on or near the fourth, but ‘tis the season for events to end with unexpected fireworks displays throughout summer. You might love them, but your four-legged pals may react very differently to the unexpected loud noises and light flashes.
Several years ago, you may remember reading about Temple Grandin, who served as a consultant for The Autism Nature Trail (The ANT) at Letchworth State Park. This was the first nature trail of its kind to be designed specifically for the sensory needs of people with autism. Her field of expertise along with autism, is working with the Agricultural Department for finding more humane ways of treating cows being raised for human consumption. Through observation and gentle experimentation, this animal scientist (who happens to be autistic) noted that gentle pressure helped calm the animals before they got their vaccinations. Through her work with cows, there is now evidence that wrapping pets tightly can also reduce anxiety in stressful situations.
In an article on Rover.com we are told this: “In a 2014 study published in The Journal of Veterinary Behavior, Grandin and her fellow researchers explored the impact of a ThunderShirt on heart rate and behavior in anxious dogs. The team found that when the vests were worn according to the manufacturer’s instructions, the swaddled dogs’ heart rates increased less on average and they showed fewer stress behaviors, like looking toward the door and yawning (a common stress-reduction technique). In short, the study concluded that ThunderShirts do work, but only if you tighten them properly; dogs didn’t see the same benefits when wearing the wrap loosely.
A visit to a reputable pet store will introduce you to calming supplements designed to help reduce anxiety levels for your furbabies. Our Jack Russell may have been fearless and feisty but she ran for cover at the first sound of fireworks. We resorted to a ThunderShirt and a calming supplement. The trick was to start a regimen of the supplements before fireworks season started. It takes time for them to work (24 hours or less) so advance preparation is advised. There are pheromone collars, plug in diffusers and sprays. We always kept lavender essential oils handy as well as CBD to add to her food when needed. If none of these work, you can always confer with your vet to obtain a prescription to calm your furry friend down.
I call my husband a belt-and-suspenders kind of guy, meaning he takes extra precautions beyond the usual. We made sure our little gal was chipped in case she ever ran off in fright. It’s amazing to discover how much territory a frightened animal can cover.
Finally, since the fourth of July is around the corner, you won’t have time to do desensitization training with your doggo or kitty but after the noise has subsided, I invite you to speak to your vet or the folks from whom you purchased your pet to learn about these tried and true methods that, like all trainings, take time and patience … but well worth the effort. Meanwhile, do your very best to make this a safe and pleasant holiday for your family and your furry friends.