Fireworks and Storm Phobias

By Sheri L. Thompson, DVM

If your pet is afraid of fireworks and/or thunder, summer can be a difficult time for you and your pet.  There is probably a genetic component to these fears, as well as a learned component.  If you have a fearful dog, keep in mind that if you get a new puppy or dog they will often learn these behaviors.

The best approach to dealing with firework and/or thunderstorm phobias is training when your pet is young before there is a problem.  It is important to socialize puppies and kittens with sounds and sights that they are likely to encounter in their environment.  Turn potentially negative experiences, such as fireworks or thunderstorms, into something rewarding.  If a negative stimulus comes with tasty treats, then your pet will start to associate the negative event with a positive stimulus.  This works best for puppies and kittens, but also can work with older animals.

If you have an older pet that is already afraid of loud noises, comforting scared pets seems like the right thing to do, but it is not.  Don’t reward the fear.  If you remain calm and don’t baby them, they will handle the loud noises better.  Give rewards when the pet is behaving calmly.  Work with your pet to develop ways to elicit calm behaviors, so that you can do so during storms and then reward them when they act calmly.  Provide a safe hiding space for your pet to hide.  Sometimes a secluded crate in a dark quiet area works, if your pet has been conditioned to rest calmly in a crate.  Some pets feel secure under a blanket, in a bathtub, or in a closet.  A pheromone diffuser can help calm fearful or anxious animals.  Don’t leave your pet outdoors if you expect fireworks and/or thunderstorms.

Sometimes desensitization will help.  Expose your pet to recordings of thunderstorms or fireworks.  Start by playing the recording at a low volume and slowly increase the volume.  Give your pet treats and praise when they calmly tolerate the recordings.  Slowly increase the duration of the noise stimulation.  A behavior specialist can help you modify your pet’s behavior.  Medications are often prescribed for firework or storm phobias.  They work best in combination with behavioral modification.  Screening blood work is needed prior to starting any behavioral medication and monitoring blood work needed if they stay on a medication long term.  Some of the behavioral medications work quickly, but it can take weeks for you to see the effects of some of the other behavioral medications.  Please call if you would like to meet with one of our veterinarians.

It is important to take thunderstorm and firework phobias seriously.  Even if the problem seems minor, it can easily become more serious.  Dogs have been known to jump through glass windows or chew out of houses during storms or fireworks.  Try to remain calm during these periods of time and reward your pet for calm behavior.  Enlist professional help promptly when a noise phobia is observed.