Helping Your Pet Cope with Loud Thunder and Fireworks
Fear of loud noises, especially thunder and fireworks, is a common phobia in pets. It’s usually displayed by hiding, whining, barking, pawing or even urination. Trying to help your pet cope with loud noises is important because the anxiety usually gets progressively more pronounced with age. A pet suffering from a fear of thunderstorms may begin to display anxious behavior before the thunder begins. Rain on the roof of the house, bright flashes of light or even the drop in air pressure before a storm may be enough to trigger anxiety. It is important not to punish your pet for being anxious, but equally important not to cuddle too much. Punishing your pet will just create more fear and anxiety because thunder will then be associated with both fear and punishment Cuddling or comforting your pet too much isn’t a good idea because it teaches your pet that anxious behavior is appropriate

Instead, first provide your pet with a safe place to seek refuge.Pet crates, under a bed or under a chair are common hiding places for a pet. Your pet chooses these places because she feels protected and the noise of thunder or fireworks is muffled. If your pet has not already picked out a place, provide one. Try leaving a few treats in a safe place to encourage your pet to go there.

Try desensitizing your pet to loud noises so the sound becomes normal. This is usually done by playing recorded thunder at a low volume and in short intervals while you monitor your pet’s behavior. Try to distract your pet while the noise is present by playing fetch or engaging in some sort of enjoyable activity. If your pet is too frightened to participate, you need to turn down the intensity of your thunder stimulus and try again later. This process is long and requires patience, but in the end your pet will be much more comfortable during a storm.

Some pets may need pharmaceutical help. St. Francis is prescribing PROQUIET® to overly anxious, nervous or excited pets.