Keeping Calm: A Guide to Soothing Dogs During Fireworks
One of the most popular holidays in the United States is Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July. It's a day filled with festivities, family barbecues, and of course, spectacular fireworks displays that light up the night sky. As we revel in the beauty and excitement of these pyrotechnics, it's important to remember that our furry friends may not share the same enthusiasm. For many dogs, the Fourth of July can be a nightmare of heightened anxiety and fear, leading to unfortunate consequences.
In fact, studies estimate that nearly 45% of dogs display signs of noise sensitivity, making them susceptible to the overwhelming sounds and flashing lights of fireworks. This can result in panicked behavior, escape attempts, and even unacceptable behaviors from those who remain at home.
Thus, shelters and animal control agencies witness a significant increase in lost and runaway dogs. It's a heartbreaking sight as distressed and disoriented pups fill their kennels.
Let’s run through some of the things we can do to help make sure our pet is safe and we are not out searching for him that evening or the next day.
The very first thing we need to do is make sure that our dog’s identification and microchipping are up to date. Double-check that their ID tags have the correct contact info and are securely fastened to their collar. Also, update your contact details with the microchip registry your pet is enrolled with.
Do you plan to be home during the fireworks or are you and the family going to be gone? I ask because I’ve experienced the shock of coming home to the bottom half of the laundry room door turned completely into kindling, or the carpet shredded where a dog tried to dig their way out of a room. If you will be absent even just for the evening, it might be a huge money saver to hire a pet sitter to stay with your dog or take them to a kennel.
If you will be home, plan ahead and strategize a safe and secure indoor space. Perhaps choose a space that has no windows, or the windows fasten closed and have heavy curtains to block out some of the noise and flashing lights. Playing the TV or music quite loud and or using white noise can often help.
Be sure to educate children and guests on the possible changes in the behavior of your sweet family pet when it is in a state of fear and panic. Provide a safe and quiet space for your dog away from guests and rowdy children during these gatherings. Designate a responsible person to supervise Fido, and just during this holiday, make sure he is accompanied and on a leash, even when taking a bathroom break in the fenced backyard.
Now that we have thought through the checklist to keep our pup safe, let’s cover some possible techniques and strategies for reducing anxiety the night of.
Consider possibly investing some time in desensitizing and conditioning your pet to loud noises. Check out some YouTube training videos on the subject, but one idea is to download a soundtrack of “fireworks for dogs” and play it several times a day starting at a lower volume and building up to a very loud volume as your dog gets used to the booming, popping, and whistling sounds.
There are some great calming aids available on the market. Pheromone collars and Thunder shirts have great reviews. A thunder shirt is similar in function to a weighted blanket for kids or a swaddling blanket for babies. It applies a snug even pressure around that chest.
Another option is using natural herbal remedies to help keep our pets calm. Here are a few to consider:
Chamomile is well-known for its calming properties. You can brew a cup of chamomile tea, let it cool, and mix it with your dog's food or water. Alternatively, there are chamomile supplements available in tincture or capsule form that can be administered according to the recommended dosage for your dog's size.
Valerian root is a natural sedative that can help relax anxious dogs. It is available in various forms, including capsules, tinctures, and teas. Administering valerian root about an hour before the fireworks can help promote a sense of calmness in your dog.
Passionflower is a herb that has been used for centuries as a natural calming agent. It can help reduce anxiety and nervousness in dogs. You can find passionflower in tincture or capsule form and administer it according to the recommended dosage for your dog's weight.
CBD Oil is another possibility and will work better on some dogs than others.
My all-time favorite (big surprise) is essential oils. I have found them the most effective and most reliable option for my dogs. There are several that work wonders in our house, but I do suggest trying them prior to the big night to find the single oil or blend that works best on your dog. Just like in humans, everybody is different and some oils will work better for one dog than they do for another. All of the oils in the following list can be diffused, applied to the fur by rubbing a couple of drops of well-diluted oils between your hands petting the dog, or applying a drop or two of the diluted oil onto the collar of the pet.
Lavender: Lavender essential oil is renowned for its calming effects and can promote relaxation in dogs. You can also make a spray with Lavender and water and mist the pet's bedding, but only if the dog has the option to walk away. I don’t like to spray the bedding in a kennel that your dog might be locked in unless I know that it is an aroma my dog enjoys and is used to.
Serenity Blend: doTERRA's Serenity blend combines essential oils such as lavender, marjoram, Roman chamomile, and ylang-ylang. This soothing blend can help create a peaceful environment and support a sense of calmness in dogs. Really like to diffuse this one. Remember to only use a couple of drops in the diffuser in a room with the door open so your dog can leave if needed.
Balance Blend: The doTERRA Balance blend is formulated to promote a sense of grounding and tranquility. It contains essential oils like spruce, ho wood, frankincense, blue tansy, and blue chamomile. Diffusing this blend or applying it topically by petting in through his fur is a great modality.
Vetiver: Vetiver essential oil has a grounding and calming effect, making it beneficial for dogs experiencing fear or anxiety. I love to mix this one with Roman Chamomile, dilute and apply a drop to the tips of each ear massaging it in small circular motions with the ear tip between my thumb and forefinger.
Roman Chamomile: Roman chamomile essential oil is gentle and calming, making it suitable for dogs with anxiety or fear. Diffusing it or diluting it with a carrier oil and applying a small amount to your dog's chest or back can help create a calming effect.
Frankincense: Frankincense essential oil has soothing properties and can help promote a sense of peace and relaxation in dogs. Diffusing it or applying a diluted amount to your dog's collar or bedding can be beneficial.
Bergamot: Bergamot essential oil has uplifting and stress-reducing properties. It can help alleviate anxiety and fear in dogs. I prefer to diffuse this one as applied topically it can increase the sun’s effect on the skin (and since their nose touches every part of their body, I don’t want it accidentally causing a sunburn on their noses).
Adaptiv Blend: Adaptiv is probably the granddaddy of all these oils. This blend is specifically formulated to support emotional well-being. It contains oils like lavender, copaiba, spearmint, and rosemary, which can help dogs adapt to stressful situations and manage anxiety. I would use caution with this oil and dogs that have seizures. It will likely be safe with most of them since you will be diluting it, as with all oils, but does contain rosemary which is an oil we tend to be cautious with around seizure-prone people and pets.
My last suggestion for you is if you know or suspect that your dog will be in extreme distress during the fireworks, contact your vet’s office. They may be able to prescribe a tranquilizer to have on hand if all the other preparations and more natural options are not enough. But if this is a route you want to go, get on this right away as it may be difficult to get a last-minute appointment with your vet.
So, with a little forethought, knowledge, compassion, and a shared commitment to keeping our furry friends safe during fireworks, we can reduce the number of missing pets on July 5th and help to keep our pets calm and safe. Together, we can turn what might have been a frightful night into a celebration of love, comfort, and reassurance for our beloved dogs. After all, they are family, and family takes care of one another, especially when fireworks light up the sky
