As we prepare to bid farewell to 2024 and welcome 2025, the Connecticut Shoreline offers some spectacular fireworks displays to usher in the New Year. While these celebrations can be exciting for humans, they can be stressful for our pets. For this reason, today, I’m sharing my top 5 ways to keep CT Shoreline pets comfortable during fireworks to ensure your pet has a happy new year just like you!
5 Ways to Keep CT Shoreline Pets Comfortable During Fireworks
While we enjoy the dazzling lights in the sky, our pets may find fireworks distressing. Here are some strategies to help your furry friends stay calm and safe:
1. Create a Safe Haven
Set up a quiet, comfortable space for your pet away from windows and external noise. Use thick curtains or blankets to muffle sounds and block out flashing lights. Include their favorite bed, toys, and treats to make the space inviting.
2. Use White Noise or Calming Music
Play soothing background noise or specially designed pet-calming music to mask the sound of fireworks. You can find pet-specific playlists on various streaming platforms including this one on YouTube.
3. Early Walks and Feeding
Take your dog for a long walk and feed your pets earlier in the day, at least a couple hours before fireworks displays begin. This can help tire them out and reduce anxiety once it gets noisy.
4. Calming Supplements and Products
Consider using pet-safe calming aids:
– CBD products designed for pets like CBDDogHealth’s line for dogs, cats and horses
– Calming chews with ingredients like chamomile or valerian root like Austin and Kat’s No More Wiggles line of supplements
– Theanine and taurine supplements, known for their calming properties such as WinPro Pet’s Calming formula
– Species- specific pheromone diffusers or spraysÂ
– ThunderShirts or anxiety wraps for gentle pressure
Always consult with your veterinarian before introducing new supplements to your pet’s routine.
5. Pharmaceuticals
If your pet has extreme reactions to noise, ask your veterinarian for a pharmaceutical. Based on the search results, the top three pharmaceuticals commonly used for noise phobia in pets are:
- Alprazolam (Xanax®): This benzodiazepine is often prescribed for dogs with anxiety during thunderstorms and other situational anxieties. It’s most effective when given 30-60 minutes before exposure to the trigger.
- Dexmedetomidine (Sileo®): FDA-approved for dogs with noise aversion, Sileo® works best when given 30-60 minutes before a triggering noise event or at the earliest sign of anxiety.
- Trazodone: While not specifically labeled for noise phobia, trazodone is commonly used for this purpose. It’s typically given 12 hours before exposure and again 2 hours before the expected noise event.
These medications are often chosen for their effectiveness in managing noise phobia symptoms in pets, particularly dogs. However, it’s important to note that the choice of medication should be made in consultation with a veterinarian, considering the individual pet’s needs and health status. Never “borrow” pharmaceuticals from friends or neighbors, no matter how big a reaction your pet may have. Instead, stay with them and support them until the fireworks displays are over.
Additional Tips for a Stress-Free Night
– Keep pets indoors during fireworks displays
– Ensure your pet’s microchip information is up-to-date in case they escape
– Stay with your pet if possible, offering comfort and reassurance – this is especially important if your pet has significant noise phobia
– Provide engaging toys or puzzle feeders to distract them
– Close windows and draw curtains to minimize noise and flashes
Remember, every pet is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. It may take some trial and error to find the best combination of strategies to help your pet relax during the noisiest nights of the year.
The Connecticut Shoreline’s Happiest Pets
If you are a client of ours and left your pets in our care over New Year’s Eve, rest assured that we will keep an eye out for any symptoms of stress or noise phobia and will keep you posted on any concerns. Our team has ample experience with these noisy holidays and is trained to safely manage even the most nervous of pets!
We hope these 5 Ways to Keep CT Shoreline Pets Comfortable During Fireworks bring peace to your home and everyone in it. Whether you’re watching the fireworks along the beautiful Connecticut Shoreline or staying cozy at home, we wish you and your pets a wonderful start to 2025! We hear Saybrook Point Resort and Marina has a great evening planned for the humans.
We are accepting new dog walking, dog hiking, and cat sitting clients! New Shoreline Happy Paws clients can create an account. We will be in touch to further discuss your needs and set you, your family, and your cat(s) up for success. Existing clients may book services by logging in to your client profile.
Shoreline Happy Paws serves the following areas of the Connecticut Shoreline:
- Old Saybrook
- Essex, Ivoryton & Centerbrook
- Deep River
- Chester
- Westbrook
- Clinton
- Old Lyme
- East Lyme
- Niantic
Certain Parts and Certain Service Hours in:
- Lyme and Madison
- Waterford, New London, Groton
- Uncasville, Gales Ferry, Mystic, Noank
We look forward to seeing you and your pets in 2025!!!
