Thunderstorms: Strategies to calm an anxious pet
GLVH
It's that time of year in southern Ontario when warm humid days often mean evening thunderstorms. If you have a dog who shivers and quakes with anxiety each time thunder rumbles in the distance or someone in the neighbourhood sets off some holiday fireworks, spring and summer can be a stressful time.
There are a few things you can do to help your pet feel a little calmer.
Staying with your pet can help them feel more secure, but if that isn't enough there are prescription medications that can help. Reactions to thunder or loud noises are often very strong for animals, and being able to treat them in advance with a prescription medication can help reduce their stress levels once the storm sets in.
There is also a product on the market called the Thundershirt - a tight vest that goes around your pet's chest and uses constant pressure to help calm them. Swaddling babies to soothe them and using weighted blankets to calm people with anxiety is common practice and the same premise applies for dogs and cats. There are different sizes and styles to suit a range of pets.
If you have an anxious pet, be sure to mention it at your next appointment. Your veterinarian would be happy to discuss the options available and help determine which strategy would be best for your pet. Maybe you and your pet can get a little more sleep the next time a thunderstorm rolls in!