Being startled by a sudden loud noise is common, and not unusual in pets or people. However, if your pet trembles, hides, panics, drools excessively, tries to run away, or clings to you when loud noise is happening, it’s quite likely that he or she suffers from a condition called noise aversion. You’re not alone: it’s estimated that 40-50% of dogs suffer from this phobia.
Fireworks, whether they’re at a distance or going off next door, can send your pet into a panic. The good news is there are a number of effective strategies you can adopt to minimize the impact of big bangs on your best friend, including:
- Putting your pet in a room and turning on white noise or soft music to dull the sounds
- distracting your pet with games and toys
- avoiding comforting or punishment—both reinforce the fear reaction
- consider getting your pet a Thundershirt
If any of the above approaches don’t work, we’re happy to consult with you about possible sedative medications and therapeutic treatments that are good for both short-term anxiety and long-term care. Don’t wait too long to schedule an appointment, though. We get a lot of requests for sedative prescriptions this time of year. Call (407) 333-2901 today!
