Is a supplement the miracle cure for firework anxiety?
Firework anxiety in dogs is a common problem. Fear of fireworks is a normal reaction for a dog. However, a calming supplement alone is usually not enough to help your dog overcome his fear of fireworks. It is also important to train and provide a safe place for the dog.
Cannabinoids
Clove
Magnesium
Stress
1 December '23 • 2 min reading time
Some dogs are more sensitive to sound than others. This may be one of the reasons why your dog is more sensitive to fireworks than other dogs. But also, past bad experiences or a lack of proper socialization in puppyhood can be the causes of anxiety symptoms.
Preparing your dog for fireworks
There are several ways to help your dog cope with firework anxiety. Training from a dog behavior expert combined with a calming supplement can help keep the anxiety manageable. An important part of preparing for New Year's Eve is training to get used to fireworks. In fireworks training, your dog learns to get used to loud noises. You can use a CD with firework sounds for this purpose. Reward your dog if he remains calm when you play the CD. You can gradually increase the volume. Research has shown that targeted fireworks and/or sound training can work well in preventing the dog from becoming fearful, especially in puppies and young dogs. However, it is more difficult to train away severe firework anxiety.
Safe place
It is important for your dog to have a safe place to hide when fireworks are being set off, for example in a crate. Place the crate in a quiet place and reward your dog if he remains calm in the crate. Some dogs like to hide away, but others prefer to cuddle up to you. Allow this and reassure your dog. You can also turn up the radio to muffle the sound of fireworks and close the curtains so that the flashes of light are not visible. It is important not to punish the dog when he is scared as it can worsen the anxiety. Stay calm yourself and do not react angrily to people setting off fireworks outside, as this can make your dog even more scared. You can also try to distract your dog with a game or a puzzle toy, but unfortunately, this does not work very well for very anxious dogs.
Supplements
In addition to training, safety, and distraction, you can also give your dog a supplement to help with stress in the lead-up to the New Year. Magnesium is a mineral that is often used for this purpose. The herbs valerian, hops, lemon balm, and chamomile can also help calm the dog. A liquid herbal extract works best: it is concentrated and quickly absorbed. Finally, the cannabinoids from cloves can also help provide more mental balance and resilience. It is often recommended to start with a supplement a few days or even weeks before the stressful event.