Did you know that July 5th is the busiest day of the year at animal shelters? This is because fireworks are super scary to most pets and many terrified pets bolt away from the offending noise. Help keep your pet safe during the holidays with anti-anxiety treatments and if your pet is not micro-chipped, now is the time to do it! If your pet is already micro-chipped, call the company and make sure that all of your contact information is up to date.
Below is a list of the available medications (natural and prescription) that can help your four-legged family member stay safe this “booming” time of year. Many of these can be combined for greater effect, just check with you veterinarian first.
Natural Remedies for Dogs and Cats
Solliquen: A long-term behavioral health supplement. It takes a month or so to take full effect so unless you have started this in advance, this isn’t the remedy for you. If you have been giving Solliquen to your dog/cat, make sure you have a large enough supply to get through the 4th of July celebrations.
Thundershirt: This “jacket” applies gentle pressure (similar to swaddling a baby) which calms the pet. Great for thunderstorms and fireworks.
Rescue Remedy: Made from a combination of five flower remedies and provides an immediate calming effect.
Zylkene: Similar to the Adaptil products (pheromones), can start 1-2 days before the fireworks but for best results start Zylkene 5-7 days before fireworks.
Natural Remedies just for Dogs:
Adaptil collar/spay/diffuser: A synthetic pheromone that is similar to the pheromone released in the mother’s milk while she’s nursing her pups. Proven to show results with in 7 days of use, so go out and get yours now! Best to start at least 3 days prior to the “event(s)”.
Natural Remedies just for Cats:
Feliway spay/diffuser: Synthetic pheromones which can be used to reduce stress-induced behavior in cats. Feliway Classic mimics the natural pheromones that send calming messages to cats. This helps reduce stress-related behaviors such as hiding, scratching, or spraying. Proven to show results with in 7 days of use, so go out and get yours now! Best to start at least 3 days prior to the “event(s)”.
Prescription Remedies– (Don’t wait to order, email us today, prescriptions may take up to 48 hours to fill)
Trazodone: Anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medication given the night before a fireworks event, and then again two hours prior to event.
Silio gel: Is applied between the pets cheek and gum. To be given 30-60 minutes prior to the event. Can be given every 2-3 hours but not to exceed 5 doses in 24 hours.
Acepromazine: Is a sedative/tranquilizer that should be given 45 minutes prior to the event.
Alprazolam (Xanax): Is a sedative/tranquilizer used off-label to treat anxiety or phobias in cats and dogs that should be given 1 hour before the event and then every 8 hours as needed.
