Who doesn’t love a beautiful display of fireworks to top off a great night with friends? Your anxious dog, that’s who! While some dogs will snooze through an apocalypse, others will be panting, pacing
and vibrating with fear. It can even lead to destruction and dangerous escapes.
The good news is that there are numerous ways to help. First, check in with your veterinarian well before the fireworks start (early to mid-June is ideal) to discuss strategies for training, supplements or medications. For dogs with mild to moderate noise phobias, options like Thundershirts, calming chews, pheromones, etc. might do the trick. But pets with severe anxiety need a little more “better living through chemistry” that requires a prescription.
We typically prescribe medications like gabapentin and trazodone, which are in pill form. A newer product on the market is Sileo, which is a gel you apply to your dog’s gums. Some dogs need a combination of meds, while others do okay with a dose of just one.
Because neighborhood fireworks seem to start the week before July Fourth, you will likely have nights to see what works best for your dog. Keeping your dog safe is key, as well as monitoring them when they are medicated, as they might be a bit loopy. With a plan in place beforehand, we’ll get our beloved dogs through sky boom season.
In partnership with Willamette Veterinary Hospital
& Ark Animal Hospital
Josiah Moses, DVMEastgate Veterinary Clinic