Noise (such as fireworks) and storm phobias are sadly very common in dogs and cats and it can be a very frustrating and challenging problem to deal with. Especially since the use of fireworks is becoming ever increasing and more popular with many celebrations and the occurrence of storms is out of our control.

Many animals respond in a fearful way to a sudden loud noise, and this is normal. But when your pet starts showing an excessive irrational fear and anxiety towards a sound or when it anticipates something is coming before it actually hears the sound, a phobia may be developing. Phobias are excessive fearful responses that develop quickly and get worse with time. They can start at any age, occur in any breed and if left untreated will interfere with your pet’s day to day functioning. Noise phobic cats most commonly hide during noisy events and thus their condition can easily be overlooked. However the same treatment principles applied in dogs, also apply to cats.

Treatment of a noise phobia requires patience and time. Unfortunately there is no quick fix to this problem. It is a gradual process that takes weeks to months to deal with, it is not a procedure that starts on the day of the fireworks or storm. Remember that in many cases a pet with noise phobia may also have generalised anxiety or separation anxiety. For this reason careful diagnosis and treatment by your veterinarian is always recommended. The earlier treatment is started, the better the outcome for your pet. Below are a few suggestions which may help your pet and family deal with noise phobia.

Environmental modifications:

Decrease or avoid the sound

It is always advisable to bring your pet indoors during a storm or expected fireworks. If there is a specific noisy event close to your home, you may want to consider moving your pet to another familiar location during the event, where the noise will be less audible.

Create a den or safe place

It is of utmost importance to create a ‘safe’ place for your pet to escape to during stressful times. A crate is a fantastic place to hide, especially if you drape a blanket over it. Another example of a ‘safe’ place would be under a table or in a cupboard. ‘High value’ areas in the house, such as your bedroom, often offer your pet comfort and security, and it may be of benefit to allow them access to such areas if needed. A pile of blankets and pillows in this ‘safe’ place for your pet to crawl under is always advisable, as it will add security and block out some noise. However, never force your pet into or out of this ‘safe’ place. He should be left to go where he feels safest.

Use pheromones

Pheromone products such as the Adaptil range contain a synthetic analogue of DAP (dog appeasing pheromone) and have provided comfort for many dogs. The products can be used individually or combined for best effect, for example you can use the collar on your pet, plug a diffuser into the wall and use the spray around the ‘safe’ place, as needed. Pay attention to how long the diffuser or collars are effective for.

Play background music

Play background noise that your pet is familiar with, such as the television, radio, fan or white noise. It has also been shown that classical music reduces anxiety for many pets.

Physical modifications

Some animals benefit from wrapping material around their trunk which gently applies pressure to their body, resulting in a reduction of fear by ‘swaddling’. The thundershirt is an example of such a garment. Do however try the wrap on your pet before the anticipated noisy event, as the garment itself can be scary and they might freeze when it is put on. This freezing should not be mistaken for reduced anxiety.

Behavioural modifications

Conditioning your pet

Because noise phobias get worse overtime, you need to find a way to condition your pet to the noise. There are various techniques for this, counter conditioning would be one example whereby you give your pet something like his favourite toy or play a fun game, when a noisy event is expected, which allows him to make some sort of a positive association with the fear trigger.

A second method is called systematic desensitization whereby the pet is exposed to low levels of the fear inducing sound, which slowly become louder and louder over time. This is a longer term approach and needs to begin when no noise inducing events are expected, such as out of the stormy season, or not close to any firework celebrations. Do however remember that desensitization may not be the cure for phobic pets and often it needs to be used in combination with other therapies for the best results. Always consult with your veterinarian and veterinary behaviourists for the best methods to help your dog.

Be jolly and confident and calm yourself

As a pet owner you need to be jolly, confident and calm during these ‘stressful’ times. This will give your pet reassurance that there is nothing to be scared of and it will gain comfort from being by your side, without receiving too much fuss and sympathy. You don’t want to fuel your pet’s nervous behaviour by fussing him too much when he is scared, as this may show reward for this behaviour and it will become more intense with future exposures.

Also remember that you should never use any punishment, as this will confirm to him that there is something to fear and will always make this phobia worse. Punishment is never appropriate when dealing with phobias.

Using medications

Nutraceuticals

There are a number of nutraceuticals that can safely be used in phobic animals to decrease anxiety, usually with immediate effect. Most of them contain amino acids which play a part in brain pathways involved with stress and anxiety. Examples of such products are Calmeze ( L-Tryptophan, L-Theanine and B vitamins), Herbal Pet Serenity Dog & Cat Formula (Tryptophan and Inositol, a blend of herbs, vitamins and minerals) and Anxitane (L-Theanine)

More recently CBD products have shown very promising results for many dogs with fears and phobias, and would be worth considering. Examples would include Cibapet and Africanpure CBD oil. Always consult with your veterinarian before using any nutraceuticals to ensure that you are providing the best care for your pet.

Pharmaceuticals

As mentioned previously many noise phobic pets may have other concurrent disorders such as generalised anxiety or separation anxiety. These pets need to be correctly diagnosed and treated by your veterinarian, in order for them to live a relatively healthy normal functional life. Anti-anxiety medications and anti-depressant medications are often used in different regimes tailored to your individual pet’s needs.

The take home message when dealing with a noise phobic pet is that there is no quick fix. If left untreated it will always get worse. The earlier treatment is started the better the outcome. And you may need to use a few treatments and therapies in combination to help your pet deal with this serious life long condition, as very rarely will a single modification or treatment be the answer.