Jan discusses handling your pet’s fear of storms with helpful techniques, and essential oils.
https://www.facebook.com/PawsPathNJ/videos/vb.1022815251092385/1061739770533266/
Thunderstorms, hurricanes, windstorms and tornadoes are not always predictable, making storm phobia a particularly difficult fear to treat in dogs and cats, and for dog and cat care takers these fears can be equally distressing. Not only do the animals show signs of nervousness (pacing, panting, chewing and drooling), they will also display behavioral signs (hiding, owner seeking, trembling, vocalizing, trying to escape, and destruction), which can be even more upsetting, and even dangerous, as phobic dogs/cats have been known to break through screen doors or windows in an attempt to escape, causing serious injury to themselves.
Here are a few tips provided by our friends at HomeoPet to keep your pet calm and safe during storms:
- Leave your dog/cats at home and indoors. Most pets are afraid of storms and may try to run away.
- Close all doors and windows and put on background music to muffle the sound.
- Close curtains and blinds to block the lightning.
- Be sure that your dog/cats are wearing identification tags or have microchips in case they do run away or get lost.
- Try to distract your dog/cats with chew toys and games, or let them play with another dog/cat that does not share his fear.
- If you have time, desensitization techniques with appropriate sound CDs, such as thunder, fireworks, trains, sirens, etc. may help
- dog/cats get used to the sounds at a lower volume, then as they become more comfortable, gradually increase the volume.
If your dog/cat has storm phobias and the weather report predicts storms, try to give them plenty of exercise and play time before the storm comes. Apply and diffuse essential oils, and add flower essence to your dog/cats drinking water. PawsPath recommends a Calming or Grounding Blend to help your pet remain calm and to help create a calm environment prior and during stormy weather. The Flower essences that have helped a number of our clients are Golden Armor and Anxiety.
If you will not be home during the storm apply oils before you leave and have your diffuser running and add Flower Essences to your dog/cats drinking water. If you have an article of clothing, like a shirt that smells like you, place it where your pet sleeps so that he/she is comforted.