Top 10 July 4th Holistic Pet Safety Tips
1. Keep them at HOME. In most cases it is always safer to leave Your pet at home, in a quiet, closed in place…your house! Our pets have hearing 10 times our own, so any loud noise is ESPECIALLY disturbing to them. I leave my own pets with a Kong toy stuffed with peanut butter.
2. THE SOUNDS OF MUSIC. Turn up the tunes to drown out some of the impending loud noises. This will screen out some of the loud sounds, lowering anxiety levels. Music with a slow even beat, such as classical, will work best.
3. FLOWER ESSENCES. Bach Rescue Remedy is a very safe alternative medication that may calm your anxious pet. Place 4 drops on your pet’s gums prior to leaving.
4. SOOTHING FINGERS. A type of therapeutic touch, called Tellington Touch has helped many pets with noise anxiety. The most effective area is the ear. Gently hold the ear flap between your thumb and forefinger. Gently stroke from the base of the ear to the ear tip; repeat the motion several times covering different sections of the ear. Use the same fingers to draw tiny circles at the base of the ear. Try both of the techniques on your dog when he is calm. If he reacts well, then try it the next time a storm approaches.
5. Pet ID. Every Holiday involving Fireworks causes scared animals who run away and get lost. Ensure your pets have identification at all times.
6. Keep your pets out of hot cars: A puppy just died recently in Vancouver after being left for 3 hours in a parked car, with the sunroof open. The inside of the vehicle was over 100 F. Once again LEAVE your pets at home.
7. SAFE topicals for pets. Read the labels to make sure the sunscreen or insect repellent can be used on your pet.
8. Toxic Glow Jewelry-AVOID it. Your pet may look cute glowing in the dark, but the glowing substance is orally and intestinally toxic.
9. Fireworks and Pets are a BAD idea. The noise is likely to severely frighten your pet. Then there is the risks of severe burns. The fireworks themselves have caustic substances, such as potassium nitrate, arsenic.
10. Be prepared: You should Have a basic pet first aid kit, plus know where your closest emergency vet is. You can also make your own First Aid kit.
All in all, use common sense, and keep you and your pet safe.
Best wishes and have a Happy Holiday
Dr Andrew
This 4th of july, I have had to put my small, ShihTzu on Acepromazine 10 mg. tablets (1/4 of a pill at a time). I absolutely detest what they do to my little girl but she gets so anxious and shakes vigorusly that I cannot bear to watch it. They work but I do not like the completely drugged effect. She has the same reaction to storms. Isn’t there anything you would recommend in place of these tablets that would be safer for her and calm her at the same time?
Marilu Way
Recue remedy I believe is sold at Petsmart and it’s a topical that is applied to the outside of the ears. It doesn’t seem to have a drug like effect.
To everyone who has a cat, dog,or even birds. I highly recommend Dr.Andrew’s advice on having your pet micro chipped. My mom’s co-workers dog ran away last night due to being scared of the fire works. The micro chip company has sent the alert out to be looking for the dog,even to fellow pet owners in her area that have had their pets chipped. Of course all veternarians and shelters have also been informed.
I would recommend the Thundershirt (www.thundershirt.com)for anxiety from fireworks and storms. For any kind of anxiety really. It has worked for many and is 100% guaranteed.