Tips for dealing with fireworks related anxiety in dogs from Trupanion

If there is one thing synonymous with the Fourth of July, it would have to be fireworks. And that means stressed out animals. But that’s where the experts at Trupanion come in.

As the leading insurance company for our cats and dogs, the experts at Trupanion are all about helping us keep our pets happy and healthy. And when it comes to celebrating the Fourth of July, it makes sense that they would offer us some tips for helping ease the anxiety that our dogs face when dealing with the loudness of fireworks.

In a press email we received from Trupanion, they revealed that in the month of July they typically receive 45 percent more “anxiety-ridden claims.” This is why Dr. Sarah Nold, a staff veterinarian for Trupanion offered up four pieces of advice to get your pup through the Fourth of July (and the rest of fireworks season).

Four tips/pieces of advice from Trupanion for how to deal with fireworks anxiety with your dog

• If your dog is sensitive to sounds, leave them in a room with a fan going and a TV or music playing. (It will help to drown out the sound of the fireworks.)
• Consider trying things like calming collars, “pheromone diffusers,” or even “calming wraps.” In fact, there are any number of calming items on the market that can help your pup with their anxiety.
• Make sure your pet is in a familiar environment. This will help limit the anxiety. In this case, think about their favorite bedroom, a kennel, or wherever they are the most relaxed.
• If your pup has severe anxiety even without the fireworks, you may want to speak to your veterinarian about an anxiety medication.

When it comes to these tips or bits of advice, it might seem obvious, but there are times when we just need the reminder of what to do or how we can help keep our animals safe and healthy.

What do you think of these tips? What do you do to keep the anxiety down on the Fourth of July? Let us know in the comments below.