(NaturalNews) Most dogs and cats dislike unexpected, loud noises from thunder or fireworks. What may be a festive time for humans, turns into a night of horrors for many pets, making them run for cover or cower in fear at our ankles. Calm and protect pets from feeling vulnerable and anxious during fireworks and thunderstorms with natural remedies and solutions to help them during scary times.
Fear
Pets display a variety of behaviors when they're afraid. Learn to recognize the signs.
· Barking, howling, whimpering
· Showing aggression, biting, hissing or barring teeth
· Hiding in closets or in small spaces
· Shaking or loosing control of their bladder
· Running out of the house, yard or other familiar place
Coping Techniques
Create routines and safe places to help pets cope with loud noises.
· Give pets a safe, familiar place to go during a thunderstorm or fireworks. Create a safe room with windows covered and lights on. A closet or large crate will help animals feel more secure. Place a blanket in with the pet or cover the crate to buffer noise level.
· Provide pets with human or other animal companionship to reduce the feeling of aloneness.
· Leave pets home during fireworks celebrations. The bright, flashing lights and loud booming noises may startle and terrify a dog, who may get free from his collar and run away.
· Turn on a TV or radio with static white noise to drown out thunderclaps and fireworks. Alternatively, turn on music or TV with talking to help distract your pet.
Homeopathy
Several homeopathic remedies are especially known for their ability to relieve the fear of loud, unexpected noises. Place one pellet of the remedy in a 1-oz. glass dropper bottle. Fill half way with distilled water. Add 1/4 -1/2 oz. vodka and label. Administer to pets by allowing them to briefly sniff the top of the open bottle. This dosing method helps avoid aggravations, or side effects.
PhosphorusPhosphorus is probably the best known remedy to help with fear of loud noises, especially during a thunderstorm. The animal may be very skittish, run for cover into a small, dark place, become afraid of being alone and want constant companionship from his person. The animal may become anxious even before a thunderstorm, sensing its imminent arrival. Pets needing Phosphorus are also afraid of the flashes from lightening.
BoraxThe pet needing Borax is very easily startled by noises, even slight noises, like the sound of rain splattering on the roof or the whoosh of the wind. The animal may become extremely anxious, howl, run around, cower, and dig on the floor, all in an effort to get away from the noise. He may have a terrified expression and want to be held, crying or clinging from the downward motion of being put down on the floor.
RhododendronAnother remedy's action works well for pets who are terrified of loud noises, especially thunder-boomers. Like Phosphorus, the pet needing Rhododendron may sense the coming of the storm. The animals needing Rhododendron may be predisposed to joint pains in the legs and may become lame or arthritic as a storm approaches. In these cases, the remedy may be curative for those problems.
Kali-carbonicumOlder pets, who are fearful of loud noises, may need a dose of Kali-carb. This remedy works especially well for pets who become suddenly startled very easily by unexpected noises. Some pets may have edema and swellings around the eyes and upper eye lids, which is a guiding symptom for this remedy.
Sources for this article include:About.com, Puppies: Scary Noises
http://puppies.about.com/od/BehaviorProblems/a/Scary-Noises.htmHolistic Pet Info.com: Fireworks and Dogs, Cats
http://www.holisticpetinfo.com/conditions/fireworks.htmA Veterinary Materia Medica and Clinical Repertory with a Materia Medica of the Nosodes; G. Macleod; 1989
Materia Medica and Repertory; William Boericke, MD; 1998
Jeffrey Levy, DVM, PCH: Classical Veterinary Homeopathy
http://www.homeovet.net/About the author:JB Bardot is trained in herbal medicine and homeopathy, and has a post graduate degree in holistic nutrition. Bardot cares for both people and animals, using alternative approaches to health care and lifestyle.
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