Friends, I highly recommend to start preparing for firework season now. Any effort you can implement now to minimize feelings of anxiety, panic and fear is time well spent. Sadly, this is the holiday that is the busiest for shelters across the country as many dogs run away during the fireworks shows. When the bombs and cannons start going off, they do not understand and instantly go into a fight or flight mode. Many will jump through windows and doors and injure themselves or die, trying to get away from the fireworks. July 4th is the worst day of the year for most dogs and their people, however, being prepared ahead of time can lessen stress for both of you.
Please do your dog a giant favor and read this to help offer them support and comfort through the fireworks season. They will thank you!
1. Exercise Your Dog Before the Fireworks Start!
A tired dog is a calmer dog. I highly recommend around firework season to exercise your dog more often than normal, use common sense and don't overdo it, but mental exercise and physical exercise will help calm and balance the nervous system. Exercise early in the day before they start. Your pet will also sleep more deeply, and consequently, will be less likely to be disturbed by the noise outside. Of course, if it’s really hot outside, take precautions to ensure your dog doesn’t get overheated and stays hydrated. I love these trace minerals.
2. Stay Home.
I can't emphasize this enough. Your dog is a valued family member and your dog’s fear of fireworks can be exacerbated if you aren’t there to provide reassurance that they are safe. Again, many dogs jump their own fences and jump through windows and doors if left unsupervised or not comforted. Your dog is more important than that BBQ party or fireworks display. Consider hosting your own quiet party, with no fireworks of course, so you can be there for your pet and social too. This is especially important if you have a a new dog in the house because you won’t know how it reacts to fireworks.
3. Keep Calm.
The owner’s frame of mind is very influential to dogs, and it’s been shown that anxious dog owners are more prone to have dogs that develop noise phobia and other anxieties. Your dog will respond and react to your nonverbal cues. If you are nervous, uncomfortable, irritated or tense when you hear fireworks your dog will sense that and respond accordingly.
Punishment: admonitions or even a harsh tone of voice may increase fear, especially if the animal is sensitized. A calm loving voice will be very much appreciated.
4. Drown Out the Sound.
I've created a “bunker” for Tuck, my German Shepherd in our basement. It has a very large kennel with nice thick soft blankets and I have a radio on and a nice fan. He automatically goes down there when there is either a thunderstorm or fireworks. It's cool, quiet and safe. It works so well for us! Definitely keep your windows shut and even draw the shades also. Something that can provide background noise, like a fan, television or air conditioner can help as well.
5. Essential Oils to the Rescue.
Use therapeutic essential oils (never novelty oils) such as Lavender, Stress Away, Peace and Calming and/or the animal scents line; T-Away. These are very effective. I place 3-4 drops along my German Shepherds spine and he calms down in about 5 minutes.
If you don't already have wholesale pricing for Young Living oils or have an inactive (last order over 6 months ago) I can connect you with a deep discount. These oils are my saving grace for some many things calming, pain, sleep, natural energy, immunity, hormones and trauma release!
6. CBD to Support your Dog's Endocannabinoid System.
If you haven't jumped on the CBD bandwagon YET, my guess is because you’ve never tried it for yourself or your dog or you haven't used the right quality CBD and you may not even know why you’d want to.
Let’s do a quick & valuable CBD 101.
✨CBD is short for cannabidiol. It works on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body. The ECS’s job is to help the body maintain homeostasis or balance for all systems. Your dog actually has endocannabinoid receptors all his/her body to help modulate imbalance. Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is a compound found in the cannabis plant.
✨ “Will CBD get my dog high?” No! YL’s CBD will not get you high. It’s an isolate, meaning it’s pure CBD, and 0.00% THC. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, CBD does not get you high.
✨How is CBD made? CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the cannabis plant. CO2 extraction removes the THC, leaving behind CBD.
✨Why use it? Not every dog makes {enough} endocannabinoids, due to endogenous and exogenous stress, poor diet, toxins, infections, etc… CBD has been shown to be helpful with everything from mood, focus, hormone balance, emotional elevation, optimal digestion, SLEEP and inflammation. CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). A healthy, fully functioning ECS is essential in maintaining both physical and mental health.
✨Why YL when I can get it at the gas station? One word: QUALITY. Our CBD farm adheres to the same Seed to Seal standards as do all of our oils. No pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, heavy metals or solvents!
✨ YL’s CBD is “smart Spectrum”, meaning we combine the therapeutic properties of CBD with the terpenes in our essential oils for a synergistic effect, which in understandable terms means it's extremely effective for bringing any system that was out of balance..back in and very quickly and effectively.
✨What is the connection between ECS and my cannabinoid receptors? The ECS is made up of messengers also known as cannabinoids and two types of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are located in the brain, connective tissue, gonads, glands, and organs. CB2 receptors are found in the digestive and immune system.
I recommend Young Living's Pet CBD.
7. Real Food Nutrition.
Your dogs nervous system, neurology and brain function is dependent on the quality of nutrients you are feeding him/her. Their ancestral diet of real food such as beef, liver, eggs, sardines and a small amount of greens will help to rebuild, repair and boost their immunity, in turn helping them stay balanced in regards to their autonomic nervous system, the flight or flight. Here is my step by step guide on how to transition over to real food.
8. Respect Your Dog’s Fear.
Allow your dog to hide if he/she feels more comfortable in its crate or under a bed. Again, consider creating a comfortable dog kennel in the basement or quiet cool area, like we have. Respect your dog and let him/her stay where it’s comfortable and provide reassurance that it’s safe.
9. Provide a Distraction.
Break out your dog’s favorite treats, play a game, or give it some extra cuddle time, this can really help reassure you pet that everything will be okay an that they are safe. You can occupy your dog for awhile by filling a KONG with coconut oil, peanut butter or another yummy treat and freezing it (ahead of time). We do this often!
10. Consider Boarding.
If you are going to be out for the night and your dog has a daycare he just loves, consider leaving him there with other dog buddies and a staff to keep an eye on him. Plus, many day cares are so well-insulated, and there is so much noise from other dogs barking, that your dog may not even hear the fireworks on the big night. Note: this is NOT the day to try boarding for the first time! It will just stress your dog out even more.
11. Try a Thunder Shirt.
There are many different brands on the market including the ThunderShirt and the Anxiety Wrap, which were tested by Tufts University and is approved by them to diminish signs of fear in dogs during thunderstorms.
12. If Absolutely Necessary, Don't Rule out Calming Medication.
I'm not one for medication unless absolutely necessary due to the side effects, but in this case, however, if your dog really freaks out you can ask your vet for a mild sedative, but try the other things before medicating your dog.
Some people recommend giving your dog half a Benadryl to keep it calm, just check with your vet first. Again, Young Living essential oils work wonders for many pets.
13. Be Prepared.
I love staying a couple steps ahead of things. Think about these strategies ahead of time and create a comfortable environment before all the booms happen. Make sure your dog is wearing ID tags with their name, your name, and your phone number, just in case. But again, stay with your dog if at all possible and offer comfort and safety during this time.
I hope these tips are helpful for you and your four legged child. Have a safe and fun 4th of July!
Learn more naturopathic strategies and tips for your natural pet here.
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