Dog noise anxiety, or fear of loud noises, such as fear of thunderstorms or fireworks is very common: it is estimated to affect about a third of dogs.There may be a link between noise phobia and problems with the Bladder or Kidneys, Chronic Pain or sensory loss and dementia.
Ask your vet for a thorough physical check up to look for pain, and include a urine and blood tests.
Mild fear responses may include panting, whining, pacing, and attempts to hide, whereas phobic responses may include panic, extreme agitation, attempts to escape and/or destructive behaviour.
Dogs have especially sensitive hearing. Vets have estimated that your dog can hear 10 times better than you can. The loud crack of thunder is terrifying to many dogs. In some cases, the loud noise has been associated with a previous unpleasant experience.
The best result for noise phobia are when you work with a professional dog behaviourist and put in many months of homework leading up to firework season. The behaviourists available in your area will vary but it's important to choose someone that has done suitable qualifications (degree level and above, or equivalent) and is regulated by a relevant organisation (not just a paid membership). A clinical animal behaviourist (CAB) will work closely alongside your vet to work on noise phobias. The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors are the gold standard for regulating behaviour professionals - www.apbc.co.uk. If you do not have a CAB in your area you can contact the APBC for a list of provisional members who work to the same standard.
There is no quick fix, but we can offer some holistic options that may help, and many can be offered in the moment.
Herbal tinctures and CBD oil - herbal extracts can have powerful effects, to benefit the most a tincture is made up for each individual, taking into account their personality, physical complaints and energy. Need to start these several weeks prior to “firework season”.
Floral Waters (sometimes known as hydrosols) - spray these around the room that you have created as a “den” in the middle of the house away from windows. Floral waters are very safe, even for cats.
Rosewater to nurture and reduce adrenaline, can help with releasing past trauma.
Vanilla can offer a sense of calm and nurturing.
Frankincense water to reduce fear.
Valerian water to minimise anxiety.
Essential oils - There is a long list of essential oils that are known to help reduce anxiety and help animals cope. Care must be taken that animals don’t have direct access to licking essential oils and they must always have an option to remove themselves from the room where essential oils are being used.
Each pet will have very individual preferences and not all will help all animals. Offering essential oils safely takes knowledge, practice and patience.
Over the counter supplements promising to cure noise phobia won’t stop it, but may help a little in the short term. They need to be started in advance of firework season. They mostly work by influencing the serotonin levels in the brain.
Acupressure. This is you putting pressure over the top of Acupuncture points. The YIN TANG point may be helpful for anxiety/noise. It is located between your dog's eyes, at the bridge of the nose. Hold your finger over that point, or gently tap, for 60 seconds every time your dog is shaking/nervous, and see if it helps them calm down. Here is where the Yin Tang Point is located for Natural Anxiety Relief for Pets.
Licking and chewing - both of these activities release endorphins - feel good hormones. Use Licky mats and long lasting natural chews, eg hairy beef skin treats.
If you are interested and would like to find out more, arrange for a bespoke herbal tincture for you individual pet, and give your pet an opportunity to try a wide selection of essential oils for self selection, then do book an appointment with me for assessment and holistic treatment.
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