The festivities of San Juan have already arrived and there are many dogs and cats that are afraid of firecrackers, that is why, in Sanavet They want to give some advice to help them not to have such a bad time.
The first step is to provide the pet with an area where they can take refuge and feel safe. To do this, we will use the area that the dog has previously chosen (under the bed, in the bathroom), or we will create a new one.
The safe area must be located in the quietest part of the house and has to be a place of small size and dark. Once chosen the place, we will build the area with a cardboard box, carrier or cage can also serve as a table or a bed. Inside the shelter we will place your usual bed. For better sound insulation will close windows and curtains, blinds go down and will put blankets on top of the shelter. We can also put rhythmic music at low volume or turn on the television.
We must habituarle to the area in advance, for it a few days before starting firecrackers will encourage your pet to use the safe zone by placing there his favorite bed, toys, food, ... and we will all activities you enjoy in this area (play, touch, leave Marshmallow to the look or an interactive toy with sweets inside, ...). It will also reward you when we see there.
The safe area should always be available and must be easily accessible to our pet can come and go as you please.
In the safe area we can place a pheromone diffuser that contains an analogue of the canine appeasement pheromone that is secreted by lactating females whose function is to provide tranquility and safety.
If you already have your chosen area we can just make it more comfortable with the advice we discussed earlier.
We do not bother when it will be in the safe zone and try to get where they hide, nor will we prevent hide.
Choose the hours and quieter places to go for a walk. If you do not want to go outside it is better not to force. No release if they throw a firecracker and runs away. Give it a long walk for exercise and help you be more relaxed.
If you can not leave your pet alone at home, not leave him out in the garden or on the terrace as there is a risk of escape.
If we are with our pet act calmly and not give importance to noise. If you are looking for when they are afraid not try to calm him down and ignore the fearful behavior (not to look, not touch or say anything), not strengthen it. If we can be with him and making him company as if nothing was wrong (we can do an activity that normally do like watching TV, reading, music, ...).
Before the event begins we can take it to the safe zone and distract him playing or giving an interactive toy with food inside.
Never punish him, though barks or nervous.
Do not expose to firecrackers that happens to fear, that will only worsen the problem.
We can use (always under veterinary supervision) pheromones, nutraceuticals and drugs in severe cases. You must be careful because not all are useful drugs even some contraindicated ( "calm" pills) because these drugs the animal is still conscious and therefore perceives the stimulus that causes fear but because of muscle relaxation produced the animal can not move so you can make the phobia worse over time.
We hope you will help. And remember: These are just tips is not a treatment only, it is helpful to not spend so badly.
That your dog can overcome your fears is advisable to consult a specialist in behavioral medicine veterinarian (veterinary ethologist) so that you pose a behavior modification protocol.
More information in Sanavet, phone: 634924293.
Sandra Nave Tormos - Veterinary and Clinical Ethologist
Contact Sanavet
| 634924293 | |
| Monday through Friday from 10: 00 h. at 20: 00 h. and Saturdays from 10: 00 h. at 14: 00 h. | |
| sanavetjavea.veterinariaadomicilio | |
| sanavetjavea@gmail.com | |
| Animals |
