June 3, 2009

Thunderstorms, Fireworks, Vet Visits -- 3 Remedies to Reduce Anxiety and Calm Your Pet

Does your pet suffer from anxiety? Thunderstorm season is here and the July 4th fireworks marathon approaches, not to mention those terrifying vet visits. Our dogs tremble, pant, pace and even become destructive. Our cats shake, meow strangely, and become skittish.

Pet anxiety is serious, especially for those who suffer continually. Your pet may flee the scene in terror and be hit by a car, get lost or stolen. S/he may jump through a glass window, scratch the walls or rip apart your furniture.

So, how to help your pet lose the terror?

Distraction -- Calming music, "white noise" such as fans or A/C, TV, radio to drown out the scary sounds.

Synthetic Pheromones -- These reduce or even prevent stress-related behavior if your pet's anxiety is mild to moderate.

For your cat, Feliway Plug-In Diffuser is recommended or spritz some Feliway Spray on his/her bedding and favorite hangouts. Likewise, for your dog, apply some D.A.P. Dog Appeasing Pheromone Spray liberally in the cage and if in an enclosed area plug in a D.A.P. Dog Appeasing Pheromone Electric Diffuser.

We are following up after trying D.A.P. Dog Appeasing Pheromone, which worked well with our storm-phobic Golden as long as she stays put in one spot. Since she paces, the DAP Collar is the best choice as it goes where she goes.

Anti-Anxiety Meds -- Where a lot of pets live, thunderstorms or scary sounds can happen daily. If your pet experiences the misery of anxiety on a constant or extreme basis, your vet may prescribe a tranquilizer such as Acepromazine or other Behavior Modification Drugs.

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