Many many Dogs and Cats are scared stiff by the sound and/or sight of fireworks. Some of similar loud noises such as gunshots, even chopping and hammering in a wee dog I care for can cause massive anxiety. Why I do no know fully but it is a great shame and something I wish I could do more about

Every year in the Pet A & E clinic we get dogs panicked and anxious even getting run over as they run away in fright and are brought in not all recover. I experienced one killed by a train one year, he ran away from an awful bang in fright. Please do not let it be your companion

How can we help?

Drugs. Seen perhaps as the last resort but of course can be the most reliable thing the drug Sileo gel revolutionised the treatment of this phobia it simply knocks your dog out for a couple of hours. You cannot go far wrong asking your vet for help.

You can try the following without a veterinary prescription and combine with each other.

Herbs
The herbs I use most (often combined) are Passiflora, Valerian, Scullcap and of course CBD (from cannabis)

Nutravet use Passiflora in Nutracalm - see more below - with GABA and calming B Vitamins. Scullcap and Valerian from Dorset herbs has been used for years with some success in calming the anxious pet See here on Amazon

CBD is a great anxiety reducing herb which in affect we are not allowed to sell or market for dogs the cynic in me thinks it may be big pharma's pressure on the VMD behind this?

Homeopathic Remedies

I have often used the following with success these are combinations of a handful of homeopathic medicines including Phosphorus which if it fits may be enough on its own

Noise Tonic, Fireworks from homeopet

I sell the Noise Tonic and you can get Tom Farrington's Fireworks from homeport's website or Amazon

Pheromones and Essential Oils

Pet Remedy is an essential oil spray I have found useful before that we used to recommend pheromones such as those in Adaptil

More important perhaps is a change in

Avoidance and reduced exposure see graphic above

• Close curtains to hide flashes and reduce the volume of bangs
• Provide a safe quiet dark space with pheromones or essential oil diffuser
• Play distracting music / TV
• Keep your routine normal do not show your stress or excessively console your pet. It can reward the behaviour
• Do not take or allow pets out when fireworks are expected
• Read more on the dogs trust site

Desensitisation training in the loner term

So in the long term you should try to reduce the sensitivity of your companion to the noise of fireworks, gun shots or what ever. I recommend you seek the advice of a trained behaviourist or ask your vet but basically the procedure is.

Find a method your pet finds soothing say nutracalm plus a quiet space or den. Use this and then play at gradually increased volumes the noise of fireworks. No rush any sign of fear go back a stage or two. Give praise when he is calm at each stage. Repeat

One recommended CD is Sounds Scary by Sarah Heath and Jon Bowen.