With the 4th of July just around the corner, now is a good time to talk about noise phobias in our pets and ways to ease some of the fear and panic they experience with loud sounds like fireworks.
It’s normal to be startled by loud noises. It serves as a mechanism of self-preservation for all species, but what do we do when a loud noise causes more than just a startle? What can we do for our pets that escalate into panic and fear, or even flight mode? Many animals are afraid of loud noises, but it’s typically dogs that have the strongest responses, and this article will focus attention on them.
To prevent a fear response, it helps to teach your pet that loud and unpredictable noises are okay. It’s unlikely that you will be able to do this if your pet is already fearful, so this recommendation is most applicable for puppies.
I always encourage pet parents to make loud noises like slamming doors, stomping the floor, clapping, banging pots and pans, etc. When it gets your puppy’s attention, give lots of praise and treats. This hopefully makes a positive connection with a loud sound. You can try this technique with pets that already have noise aversion—but use caution. If it seems that your pet is becoming more fearful when trying to desensitize them to loud noises, you shouldn’t continue.
If you have a pet that is already fearful of loud noises, the only way to stop the fear response entirely is helping to avoid them from being exposed to the noise. Therefore, consider going to a place where no fireworks will be lit around the 4th of July. This can be difficult for many of us, so let’s talk about what we can do to mitigate their fear response if we can’t practice avoidance.
The first thing we can do is try to drown out the noise. Keeping your pet in an inside room in the house and playing music that has an upbeat tempo can help dampen the noise. Someone should always be with the pet to make sure they are safe, help comfort them, and offer praise and treats when they are calm to reinforce that response.
Adaptil (a canine calming pheromone) spray and/or diffusers can help your dog as well. Consider also using a ThunderShirt, which feels like a big hug and can be calming for some dogs.
When desensitization and calming techniques aren’t enough, we turn to pharmaceutical help for our canine companions. It’s very important to consult with your veterinarian about the best option for your dog, as all drugs have potential for side effects and some are more appropriate than others depending on your dog’s age and breed.
Additionally, it’s good to have some time to “practice” with whatever medication is selected for your dog. (For example, occasionally an individual can experience the opposite effect with anti-anxiety/sedative medications and become “wired” rather than calm.) It’s crucial to know before you are counting on these drugs to help!
If you think your pet may need some help to get through 4th of July bangs and booms, it’s important to contact your veterinarian now to make a plan and work out all of the details so you and your pup are ready when that first firecracker is lit.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July!
My name is Dr. Heather Smith and I have been a small animal veterinarian in the greater Seattle area for 20 years. I am medical director and veterinarian for Felix&Fido – Issaquah. We are reinventing veterinary care by utilizing technology and leveraging the talents of our DVMs, LVTs and assistants in a way that supports and honors pets, pet parents and the veterinary care team. We look forward to serving you!
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