When it comes to Purina, we often think of their many products for our dogs and cats, whether we are talking food or treats. But as a company, they are so much more than a producer of food. In fact, they are all about helping our pets live happier and healthier lives.
And that is where the Purina experts come into the picture. As we hit the heart of summer, we are dealing with more heat and storms. Both of these things can cause health concerns and even trauma for our dogs.
If you have ever had a nervous dog, then you know that storms can set them off and leave them panicked and traumatized. Whether you have struggled to find things that work for your pup or you just want to see if something different will help keep them calm, there are always things we can learn from experts in pet behavior.
Thanks to some tips straight from the Purina Senior Pet Behavior Scientist, Dr. Annie Valuska, we have some great insight into how to keep our dogs calmer during those stressful summer storms.
Purina expert Dr. Annie Valuska has some tips for keeping our dogs calm during those summer storms
So what are the expert tips for keeping our pup calm during a storm during the summer?
"Try a calming wrap – Some pets find the gentle, even pressure very soothing."
We have tried calming wraps in the past and they definitely work with our nervous pup. They also like their thunder jacket, which seems to add a sense of calm even during the fiercest thunder storms.
"· Prepare for the next storm – Try desensitizing your dog or cat to the sounds of thunder. Play those sounds quietly in the background as you play games or during treat time to get them acclimated to the noise.· Talk to your veterinarian – If your pet’s storm anxiety is severe, ask your veterinarian for alternative remedies like Purina’s Calming Care for dogs or cats to help them feel more at ease."
While we have never tried the desensitization route, it definitely seems like a smart way to get ahead of a problem. However, we have definitely spoken to our vet and they are actually the one who recommended the thunder jacket. That being said, your vet might have other tips, tricks, and ideas for ways to keep your pup calm during a storm.
"· Stay calm – Pets feed off our own energy and respond strongly to our cues due to the special bond we have with them."
As someone who loves storms, I think staying calm in a storm is easy enough. However, knowing our pup is stressed can lead to us being stressed too. That means finding ways to continue enjoying those storms as if there is nothing wrong.
"· Create a safe space – This can be a bathroom or crate that they are used to going into stacked with their favorite bed, toys, and treats.· Distract them – Turn on the TV or calming music to drown out storm noise. If they’re feeling playful, grab a toy and have some fun."
Both of these are tips that we have tried to relative success in the past. And these are also the same tips we use when there are fireworks. Having those safe spaces and things to keep their mind off of what is happening outside often works with fireworks, so it makes sense that they would work with a storm too.
But we want to know what you think of these tips. Are they things you do with your pup? Do you have any tips or tricks that you use to keep your pup calm during a storm that the Purina expert didn’t share? We want to know.