Does Independence Day give your poor pup PTSD? Make this the year you help them find calm through the fireworks frenzy. (Getty Images)(Getty Images)
From barbecues and beach picnics to festivals, parades and, of course, fireworks, the 4th of July is a fun celebration for most. But what about our best furry friends? While dogs may appreciate sniffing around for cookout table scraps, they likely won't be as enthused about the loud cracks, bangs and booms that come with the holiday's annual light show. For our canine family members, fireworks are confusing at best, and downright terrifying for those that run a little (or a lot) more anxious.
I talked to Dr. Andrea Y. Tu, DVM, chief of veterinary behavior services at the Heart of Chelsea Veterinary Group in New York City, for some help. She treats animals for things like anxiety, reactivity and other behavioral issues — and she calls fireworks "panic in a box."
Dogs struggle with fireworks for a few reasons. They don't happen often, so it's hard for desensitization to occur. Canine senses are also much more acute than ours, so the sounds and smells of these seasonal explosions can also trigger them. Finally, some pups have phobias or anxiety around loud noises, while others just have anxiety in general. If you're unsure if fireworks trigger your pet, look for signs such as yawning, excessive licking (especially around the mouth and nose), frequent blinking, a tail between the legs, tucked-back ears, shaking or pacing. Truly terrified dogs might stiffen up, stare, growl or snap.
If any of this already sounds like your pup and you want to help them ahead of July 4th, you'll need to act fast — most of the non-veterinary aids Tu recommends take time to work. Your approach, however, will likely depend on how acute your dog's anxiety is.
If your dog falls into this camp, you probably already know, and you also know that some of the usual anxiety-reducing suspects won't do much. The first course of action is to remove your pet from environments where fireworks happen. If that's not possible, a trip to the vet might be in order.
"If your pet is reaching the highest level of fear, anxiety and stress, something equivalent to a cup of chamomile tea is not going to help," Tu notes. With moderate to severe anxiety, she says, look for signs such as "breaking through doors, urinating and defecating ... losing their bodily functions."
If they are in that state, she recommends skipping store-bought supplements, noting that many take time to work — "at least a month and a half" — and are usually more expensive, less controlled and not as effective as medications that your veterinarian can prescribe.
"If you feel like your pup’s anxiety is mild, it's fine to go with [a supplement], but if it's moderate or severe, save yourself money in the long run and talk to your vet." Once the holiday is over, consider reaching out to a behavior expert, Tu says. "Someone like me can evaluate all of the things that are going on and work toward a better long-term approach," which could include both medication and therapy.
If your pup's anxiety around fireworks is somewhere south of abject terror, try calmly putting them into a quiet room — one with few windows — ahead of the festivities. Make it a comfy, cozy space that includes their bed, and consider using a sound machine or some gentle music to block out loud sounds. You can even try giving them a puzzle toy as a distraction.
It could also be helpful to try some of the following products, which Tu says might be worth a shot for occasional or mild fireworks anxiety.
You may have seen these dog-swaddlers before, but are they effective? "It may or may not work," Tu says, "but it's not going to do any harm." And at least one study has shown it can help calm dogs down.
If you're unfamiliar, a ThunderShirt is a wearable wrap that provides moderate to deep pressure compression, like a weighted blanket for humans. Tu stresses that this approach is unlikely to work for dogs with severe anxiety and could even make your pup more anxious.
If your dog has never worn something like this before, Tu suggests trying a small human or dog T-shirt on your pup in advance of the fireworks to see how they react before shelling out the cash for a ThunderShirt.
You could also try plugging in one of these diffusers. Humans won't smell anything, but for dogs, Adaptil mimics a canine pheromone that is secreted by the mammary glands of lactating females, and it could make your pup feel an overall sense of calm. "Most dogs, when they smell it, will instinctively recognize it as being related to a calming, relaxing state," Tu says.
Each diffuser can fill up to 700 square feet and take up to 48 hours to permeate a space. If your home is bigger, Tu notes that you'll need more than one diffuser or the pheromones likely won't be strong enough. You should also make sure each plug-in has four to six feet of clearance — don't put it behind drapes or under a table, for example.
One final caveat, per Tu: Some brands offer Adaptil in spray form, but these often have a chemical scent that can be off-putting to dogs and humans.
Tu compares this option to drinking a warm glass of milk, noting that it has "a benzodiazepine-type [aka Valium] effect." It can help your pup remain calm year-round, not just during fireworks, and Tu adds that Zylkene can work relatively quickly compared to other supplements.
She recommends following the dosage instructions for your dog's size, giving it at least a week to reach its full effectiveness.
Tu likens these soft chews to a cup of chamomile tea. The main ingredient is L-theanine, an amino acid that can induce relaxation, decrease stress and promote sleep. Tu recommends giving this to your dog a day or two ahead of the fireworks. Other ingredients include whey protein, a source of tryptophan and "a precursor to serotonin, a main neurotransmitter," Tu says. These chews also contain phellodendron and magnolia — both can "help reduce fear and anxiety."
This powdery probiotic supplement can help with mild anxiety any time of the year, Tu says. You sprinkle it on your dog's food — it has a liver-flavored appetite stimulant — and it can take up to 45 days before the effects kick in.
"One of the newest aspects of psychiatric health in both humans and animals is exploring how the gut and brain have a connection, and how different bacteria in your gut flora can help you be more capable of producing the appropriate neurotransmitters," Tu explains.
You may have noticed that some pet supplements contain melatonin, the same hormone that humans use for better sleep. It has "some mild calming properties, but some of it may just be related to sedation," rather than purely targeting anxiety, Tu says, noting that there isn't much scientific evidence to prove melatonin works for the latter. Think of it like putting a bandaid on the problem, rather than actually solving the problem.
That said, Native Pet's Calm chews also contain L-theanine and might be worth a shot to combat less acute fireworks anxiety. If you've never given your dog melatonin, talk to your vet or start with half a dose per the brand's instructions.
Many supplements also have added flavors, Tu says, so you'll want to ensure those don't include proteins your dog could be allergic to. Before giving your dog any supplements, especially if they have health issues or are already taking medication, you should talk to your vet.
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