Just like humans, your pet can suffer from anxiety or phobia as well. The loud noises, fireworks, thunderstorms, other animals, or being alone can work as a trigger and stress your pet. Luckily there are ways to calm them such as the use of cbd oil for dogs, which will be discussed below.
If you see your furry friend hiding under the couch or getting scared and shaky on the street, you can assume that it may be an anxiety problem. The same applies to growling, barking and destroying stuff whenever you leave home and leave your pet alone. Separation anxiety is a common issue with puppies or dogs from a shelter.
So what can you do to relieve your pet’s stress? Here are 9 ideas on how to calm your pet down in a stressful situation.
Table of Contents
1. CBD Oil
People use CBD oil to calm down and help reduce stress, but not many know that you can do the same with your dog. Regular CBD oils for people can be used for animals, but not for all. For example, some of them contain too much THC or substances like xylitol or chocolate, which are harmful to dogs, so you have to choose the best CBD oil for dogs to make it as safe as possible.
2. Create a Safe Space
Some pets will be much calmer if you provide them with a relaxing, dark, and safe space. It can be a crate or a table covered in a blanket for dogs or cats so that the loud sounds will be quieter, or they will have a place just for them to hide from unwanted guests. You can put some snacks and blankets inside to make your pet as comfortable as possible. However, if you want to use a crate, never lock it.
3. Interactive Toys
Some pets won’t be able to eat while stressed, but they will happily play with their toys. You can check out some puzzles or interactive toys like iFetch, which will make your pet more self-sufficient when playing without owners. It will help calm your pup down, and at the same time, it will make it tired and sleepy.
4. Closing the Curtains
If you have a problem with fireworks or storms, you can help soothe your pet by covering your windows. The sudden lights or flashes can worsen the situation and make your pet scared. In this situation, you could leave some lights outdoors to minimize the impact of flashes.
5. Mask the Noise
The sudden bangs from fireworks or thunder can be masked by keeping your place loud. It may be a good idea to turn on the TV or play some classical music. Classical music is known for its dog calming properties, but it may work on other pets. Nevertheless, if you want to mask sudden bangs, then music with quite a noticeable bass will be an excellent option. Just remember that you can’t play it too loudly, as then your pet will get scared of your music instead of outside noises.
6. Try a Thundershirt
Touch can really help your pets cope with the fear, but it might be difficult for many people to hold them for many hours constantly. Thankfully you can use a Thundershirt – a wraparound vest your dog can wear. It uses gentle, constant pressure to calm your dog. Unfortunately, it is only designed for canines, but you can make your own using a scarf or ace bandage.
7. Exercise
If you know that your dog will become anxious in a few hours, you can go for a long walk and play with your pet to make it tired. This way, there is a chance that your pet will sleep through the night without waking up.
8. Scents
Some animals are really susceptible to scents or pheromones. You can buy them in the form of sprays, plug-in diffusers, wipes, and collars. People won’t be able to smell them, but they can help your pet out.
9. Consult Your Veterinarian
Sometimes you don’t have another option but to consult your vet and purchase sedatives. They come in various forms and strengths, so you can be sure that you can adjust them to your pet’s needs.
The Bottom Line
Sometimes, natural remedies are the best way to go, but in other cases, you will need to use medicine to make your pet feel better. Being aware of your pet’s anxiety and all the triggers will help you make your four-legged friend calm and happy.
You can easily mix all the techniques listed above and make your home as animal-friendly as possible. It would be best if you also remembered that your pet can sense your stress and fear, so try to stay calm and relaxed at all times. Your positive attitude can help your friend feel safe and loved at all times!
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