It’s that time of year when fireworks are a common occurrence on summer evenings. Many pets can show fear or anxiety from fireworks or even from loud thunder during summer storms. Some examples of these signs are panting heavily, hiding under furniture or in closets, shaking or whining/unable to settle down. If you see signs of fear in your furry friend, reach out to us for more advice.  First off, please leave pets at home during community fireworks displays. Many pets get very startled by the loud noises and will pull out of their collars and get lost. Shelters are often full of lost pets after recent fireworks displays. Some pets benefit from a Thunder shirt or medication to help them be less anxious. A Thunder Shirt is a snugly fitting article of clothing that can relax pets because they feel swaddled. The key to success is acclimating the pet to it during calm/relaxing times and then remove it.

In contrast, if you put the Thunder Shirt on just before a storm, your pet will start to associate it with bad things instead of something comforting and it will not work. If the Thunder shirt does not help during fireworks or storms, please consult us for medications to help with noise phobias.  It’s best to have an exam performed by our veterinarian and discuss your pet’s behavior during fireworks and storms. Then the doctor will discuss if medication is right for your pet, options available and what to expect.  It is also important to have enough time for ‘trial doses’ of the medication prior to fireworks or storms. This allows us to adjust the dosage accordingly before scary noises occur.  If you have questions or concerns about your pet’s comfort during fireworks or storms, please call us to schedule an appointment: 614-568-7297