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Paulina's Animal Ark Adventures
Paulina's Animal Ark Adventures
Adventures of a Pet Communicator "Correspondent" --- highlights about pets, people, and animal organizations about town.
Real Name: Paulina Lawrence Cell: (916)761-6213 Member Since: February 11, 2009 Last Signed In: March 08, 2010 Blog Views: 1622 Send To A Friend Sign Guestbook Add as a Friend
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It's Fireworks Around Here!
It‘s Fireworks Around Here!
Fourth of July is almost upon us, and the tell tail signs are around – just listen. Animals have phobias, in many ways they are just like us, concerning fears about the unknown. One of the most common and biggest fear is fireworks, with the second being separation anxiety. Many times I am asked to work with a dog or cat, which is afraid about something. It could be just simply taking a car ride to vet, or a bigger thing like loud noises or thunderstorms. Big or small the fear is still the same and there are few ways to help your animal friend cope through these experiences. For example, with July 4th coming up many dogs and cats are very fearful of fireworks. The shrieking, popping, and bangs are increased tenfold with their hearing capabilities. Not knowing if these noises are good or bad; they often run, dig, or hide and shake until the noise stops. Being your fellow roommates, there are few tips to make these fearful ones a little calmer. Keep your pet in a very safe place preferably in the house. During this Holiday many things can happen, I have known many dogs to dig out of their backyards and run through the neighborhood in the darkness. This could be disaster since they are not watching for cars, and could be easily hit and seriously injured. If you have an animal friend extremely terrified of fireworks keep them indoors in a safe room with the windows and curtains closed. Keeping the windows and curtains closed helps muffle the noise making it seem farther away and not as an immediate danger. Also, play some music that your pet likes. Low soft music will help in calming them. Another thing I like to tell my clients is to use lavender oil. Lavender oil is known as universal oil that has traditionally been used to help balance the body and calm anxiety. You can diffuse the lavender oil in the room for an overall calming effect, or combine it with water in a mister to spray the bedding or kennel where your animal friend tends to hang out. You can also apply a few drops of lavender oil on your hands and massage the underside of their paws. Just a very small amount of lavender is needed, for animals have a high degree of scent. Owners of animal friends also worry about their friend—totally understandable! However, the energy we emanate in our worrying about our friend also feeds their fear. Keep them safe, and acknowledge their fear, but don’t fuss over them and don’t be angry as well. Neither fussing or being angry will help because it only confuses them and does not help them deal with the situation.
Lastly, start working with you pet after the holidays in desensitization them by using sound therapy. There are CD’s which you can use to play at a low level during the day as you work with your animal friend. The RSPCA recommends “Sounds Scary!” with the portion of the sale of the CD going to the RSPCA. You can find more about this CD at www.soundtherapy4pets.com/rspca. Having an animal friend that is terrified of fireworks is not a laughing matter, so if anything please consider microchipping your animal friend so that they can return to you safely. If you feel that your animal friends’ fear is significantly worse please contact your veterinarian for medical help.
Keep them safe and loved, as always, this Holiday!
Happy Fourth of July,
Peace, Paws & Purrs,
Paulina
2 comments from 2 users
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posted by
sassielady46
on Jul 1, 2009 at 05:43 PM
Sounds like good advice. I love the caring attitude of the writer, Paulina.
posted by
Talk2thePaw
on Jul 1, 2009 at 06:23 PM
Good advice. It's so hard to not comfort my dog when she's afraid of the firecrackers! We're thinking about taking her with us to visit relatives up in the foothills this weekend to get away from the noise.
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