3 Natural Ways To Ease Your Dog’s Firework Anxiety

Whether it’s Independence Day, New Year’s Eve, or a “just because” explosive ceremony, fireworks can cause some serious anxiety for your pooch.

It’s not uncommon for dogs to pace, shake, try to escape, or exhibit other signs of stress in response to fireworks. This can make for a stressful experience for humans, too! It’s no fun watching your best friend suffer.

Depending on how your pet reacts to firework sounds, there are several different methods for managing the anxiety. While there are prescription medications that can sedate your pet so it sleeps through the pyrotechnics, there are also natural methods that can bring them calming relief.

We’ve rounded up the best tips based on research and pet owner experience to bring you three non-Rx med ways to calm your dog during fireworks.

Firework Anxiety In Dogs

Sensitivity to sounds in dogs is sometimes called noise anxiety or noise aversion. But the fact is that loud explosions can be alarming to dogs because they’re simply — well — alarming!

Dogs have around four times the hearing sensitivity of humans.(1) So, when dogs react to firecracker noise, they’re not being dramatic. Their super-hearing abilities tell their instincts “something is very, very wrong.”

If your pup is struggling with firework anxiety, know that it’s perfectly normal. That said, your dog doesn’t have to be chomping at the bit until the grand finale — and neither do you. There are several methods to bring your dog firework anxiety relief.

Dog Firework Anxiety Symptoms

The first step to addressing your dog’s firework anxiety is identifying howit responds to fireworks, so you can be prepared. Here are common symptoms of dog firework anxiety:

• Pacing
• Panting
• Digging or making escape attempts
• Turning away food and/or water
• Drawing their ears back or down
• Trembling
• Chewing
• Seeking comfort in their owners

If your dog is exhibiting these signs or other out of sorts behavior around loud noises and fireworks, it’s likely not a behavioral issue, but a normal instinctual response. After all, it’s pretty odd that we send explosives into the air. It’s up to you as the pup parent to help your canine stay safe and calm — so let’s fetch some solutions!

#1: Stay Home & Supervise Your Pet

Attempting to escape is common behavior for dogs under stress.

Reports of lost pets increase 30-60% between July 4th and July 6th across the US. Sadly, of all lost pets, only 14% are returned to their owners.(2) Moving vehicles, fireworks, other animals, and other factors put a dog on the run in imminent danger.

It may be tempting to leave your dog at home while you join the festivities. But if your pet reacts to stress by trying to escape, the safest choice is to stay home with it.

While you’re home, follow your normal routine to help your dog feel comfortable. Experts also recommend that you:

• Double-check its collar and make sure the ID tag on it is secure.
• Check and close doors, windows, and possible escape routes.
• Make sure you have its microchip information handy in the event it does escape.
• Make sure they have plenty of fresh water.
• For extra comfort, use a pressure wrap, sometimes called a calming vest.
• Give your pet a reassuring, snuggle-worthy towel, old shirt, or blanket that smells like you.

#2: Turn On The Best Music For Dogs

Dogs don’t only react to loud noises. They also respond to everyday sounds and music.

A study in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior found that classical music helped to reduce stress in dogs.(3) But, if symphonies, concertos, and sonatas aren’t your jam — shelters have reported that dogs like soft rock and reggae, too!(4)

Dogs can become acclimated to noise, so switch up your canine playlist if your current tunes aren’t yielding positive results.

Turning on some pooch-approved tunes or ambient noise is an easy and natural way to help any pet cope with anxiety.

#3: Use CBD Oil For Dogs

Many people use CBD oil to successfully manage their stress and anxiety.(5) Pet owners are turning to it for the same reason. Whether your dog has mild or more noticeable anxiety symptoms, a dose of CBD just might do the trick! (One that’s more useful than rolling over and begging for sure.)

Using CBD oil to calm your dog is simple. You can add CBD tincture to its water bowl or food, or squirt some drops directly into your dog’s mouth.

Try to get the CBD into your pooch’s system at least 20 minutes before fireworks begin. Since CBD can take longer to work in people and pets, you can start incorporating it days or weeks before the event.

If CBD oil is new to you, there’s a wealth of information about the topic in our CBD for Pets blog category. But, we’re not ones to lead you astray, so we’ll lay out the basics here:

• CBD is short for cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is a naturally-occurring cannabis compound.
• CBD has anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and stress-relieving properties, among other benefits.
• Do not use CBD products that contain THC. THC is toxic to animals. Only use a  CBD product that’s formulated for pets — it’s the best way to avoid THC.
• Side effects are rare and usually mild. If you notice vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness or clumsiness, dry mouth, or excessive drowsiness, discontinue use and contact your veterinarian.
• If your pet is taking prescription medications, consult with your veterinarian before giving it CBD oil.

CBD oil can be an effective nature-made solution for pet anxiety. Once you find the right product, you can turn to it whenever your dog needs a dose of calm.

The Best CBD For Dog Anxiety

There are loads of CBD products for pets out there, so you’ll want to do some digging before you commit to a product. To ensure you’re only giving your pet the best, look for a CBD product that’s:

• Made from purely-cultivated hemp to prevent pesticide and chemical exposure.
• Water-soluble so you can easily add the tincture to your pet’s food or water.
• Fast-acting so it provides relief when your pet needs it most.
• Not loaded with a bunch of weird fillers and artificial additives.
• 100% THC-free.
• Formulated expressly for pets. (This is so important, we’re including it again!)

We went to great lengths to check all these boxes at Pure Craft. Our Nano CBD Water Soluble For Pets tincture is made with organically-grown hemp and MCT oil — that’s it. Plus, we use MIT-researched nanotechnology to make a fast-acting, water-soluble CBD oil.

A Relaxed Dog Is A Happy Dog

Now that you have a natural dog firework anxiety toolkit to draw from, you can fully prepare for whatever the Fourth of July — and other explosive holidays — launch your way. Perhaps without needing prescription doggie drugs.

As an added bonus, creating a chill environment in your home and helping your pet de-stress with CBD can be a treat for you, too. It can even be a bonding experience.

Rather than having FOMO about missing the party, you can make new memories and traditions with your dog. It just might be your new favorite way to make sure your holiday goes off with a bang.

SHOP CBD FOR PETS

References

1. (2018). Dogs Don’t Have a Sixth Sense, They Just Have Incredible Hearing. American Kennel Club. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/sounds-only-dogs-can-hear/
2. (2015). Infographic: More Pets Are Lost on July 4th Than Any Other Day of the Year. PetAmberAlert.com. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-infographic-more-pets-are-lost-on-july-4th-than-any-other-day-of-the-year-300108062.html
3. Lindig, A. M., et al. (2020). Musical Dogs: A Review of the Influence of Auditory Enrichment on Canine Health and Behavior. Animals: an open access journal from MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10010127
4. (2017). Dogs ‘prefer reggae and soft rock’ to other music genres, research suggests. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-38757761
5. (2020). Using CBD Oil for Anxiety: Does It Work? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-for-anxiety