Tagged: “pet safety”

New Year’s Eve & Fireworks & Your Dog – 4 Ways to Deal with Your Dog’s Fireworks Anxiety

Whether it is New Year, the 4th of July or a party in your Neighborhood…..please take a moment to read this article and be mindful of your dog! More dogs are lost during the 4th of July than any other time of the year!

Independence Day is coming soon and although it should be a day of celebration, it’s one of the most dreaded holidays for pet owners. Even where fireworks are illegal, there always seems to be someone setting them off near home. For our dogs, this can resemble the destruction of the Earth. The loud bangs and heavy vibrations can be frightening for our dogs and it can become difficult to calm them down during the chaos. Thankfully, there are some things we can do to help ease their stress.

#1 – Stay With Your Dog

Many people feel that staying with your dog during times of extreme anxiety only perpetuates their behavior, but this is likely not the case. Although destructive behavior due to anxiety can be managed with training, you don’t want to begin addressing this issue during a period of extreme fear. Dogs are pack animals and they naturally want to be with their families when they’re afraid, so leaving them alone can greatly worsen the situation. Even if your dog is crated, make sure you stay in the same room with them.

#2 – Provide A Shelter

Dogs naturally want to seek shelter from something that’s frightening them, even if they can’t place their anxiety on any one specific thing (in the case of fireworks, they can usually only hear and feel the scary thing, not see it). Many owners view crates as a bad thing, but it’s really quite the opposite. When used properly, your dog’s crate turns into their safe place or den during times of stress and anxiety. Fill it with your dogs favorite toys, blankets or even some clothes that smell like you to help them feel more comfortable inside. Offering this type of shelter gives your dog the option to safely hide and feel much more secure in their environment.

#3 – Try Natural Therapies

More and more owners are turning towards natural remedies when it comes to managing their dogs’ health. As with any natural treatment, you’ll want to consult your veterinarian to make sure the remedies you use are safe for your pup. For dogs that have mild anxieties, natural therapies seem to work quite well. For example, Project Paws™ Advanced All-Natural Calming Chews for Dogs contain anxiety relieving valerian root, organic chamomile and organic passionflower.

All Natural Calming Chews are a popular way of helping mitigate your dog’s anxiety.

#4 – Seek Veterinary Help

Sometimes, especially if the anxiety is severe, natural therapies are not enough to help your dog find relief. In these cases, seeking the help of your veterinarian is ideal. There are anxiety medications that dogs can take regularly or during times of extreme stress, such as on the 4th of July. A professional dog trainer can also help you manage your dog’s anxiety, especially if they become destructive and a danger to themselves. Whatever route you decide to take, or both if necessary, it’s important to remain your dog’s advocate and make sure that whatever you do to help ease your dog’s anxiety will keep them safe and comfortable.

Written by Katie Finlay

Benadryl for Dogs

Here is a great article on Benadryl and your dog from the American Kennel Club Health Newsletter.   This is a good read for sure with the Spring and Summer upon us.  As it is stressed in the article…your Vet should be involved anytime you are administering meds to your dog!

4th of July Fireworks and your Dog

sally alr 4th of july

It is nearly the 4th of July – a time for us to celebrate our freedom and independence, have cookouts, watch parades, have family gatherings, enjoy a picnics at the park and fireworks!   This is also the time of year, along with New Year’s Eve, that most dogs are lost due to fireworks.   This year take precautions with your dog relative to their proximity to any fireworks display. Even if you are shooting off fireworks in your backyard or you are in an area where a larger public display can be seen and heard, make sure your dog is safe and secure.

Be mindful of your guests coming and going into your home or fenced back yard. If your dog is already nervous or is feeling anxiety, an open door will look very tempting. Make sure your dog has on a collar that has clear identification, just in case he gets out. Make sure guests know that it isn’t ok to feed your dog what they are eating, or drinking. There are many foods that are dangerous to our dogs. Click just below for a list of foods and drinks that can be dangerous to your dog:

Dangerous Foods for Dogs

Remember, your dog’s hearing ability is so incredibly larger than our human ability. Imagine the sound they must hear when fireworks explode. Like thunderstorms, dogs may not really understand just what is going on, however, they hear a very loud noise and a see a very bright light – this can all make for a challenging evening! Be mindful of your dog and watch his/her body language. Above all, make sure all of your pets are secure and accounted for at the end of the evening.

Here is a great link provided by Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital, via the AVMA on pet safety and the 4th of July. Please CLICK HERE to read the article…….Or……CLICK HERE to listen to the Podcast.

Be safe and have a Happy 4th of July Celebration! 

Atlanta Lab Rescue