5 ways to keep your pet calm while celebrating summer
We’ve had a rough run. The last few COVID years have been stressful and our pets have felt it too. Routines have been tipped upside down and now that summer is here, there’ll be more disruption and lots of noise to boot. Summer means thunder storms, noisy gatherings, fireworks, and strangers in the house after months of cosy peace.
Many cats and dogs will be easily spooked and, quite rightly, regard the sudden ruckus as an invasion of their territory and privacy. Remember to cater for your pet’s needs if you are planning noisy activities over the next few months.
Here’s 5 ways to keep your fur babies (and you!) relaxed while celebrating summer.
1. Wear them out with exercise
Early in the day, before your party or NY fireworks, take your dog for a good, long walk. A tired pooch is a happy pooch. Tiredness can reduce anxiety levels and, hopefully, your pup will take a long, luxurious nap instead of fretting about the goings on.
2. Set up a calm space
Make sure your pets have their own safe place away from the action. It might be a special room or a bed in a quiet area decked out with their favourite toys, treats, water, a pheromone dispenser (see point 3 below), and a litter box.
If you are gearing up for a big shindig – furniture is moving, doors and gates are open and music is pumping – settle your pets securely in their safe place before prepping for the party. Pets can startle and skedaddle while their humans are distracted.
Once they are settled in their special place, put a note on the door asking your guests to stay out and respect your pets’ privacy.
If your gathering is low key, your pets may enjoy mingling and bonding with guests, but remember to keep the edible goodies well out of reach of opportunistic paws. Lots of party foods are not suitable for pets (cooked bones, corn cobs, chocolate, cheese, cake).
Keep your pet out of the kitchen until after the post-party clean up!
3. Soothe with calming pet products
Feliway imitates the pheromone released by cats when they are happy. Adaptil imitates the pheromone released by a mother at the birth of her pups to establish feelings of wellbeing and attachment. When used correctly, these products, available as a diffuser or a spray, can help your cat or dog overcome anxiety or behavioural problems.
The ThunderShirt is also worth a try. Think of it like swaddling an infant. The shirt applies gentle, constant pressure to calm anxiety or over-excitement and is available for cats and dogs.
All of these products can help keep calm vibes with settling pets into a new environment, separation anxiety, coping with loud noises, vet visits, boarding kennel stays, travel anxiety, or other potentially fretful moments.
4. Distract
Give your pet something better to do than worry. Give them a puzzle toy or something tasty to chew. Try filling a kong with wet food and freezing it. Your pup might spend a few hours licking away at it instead of fretting. Put a few distractions in their ‘safe space’ to help them pass the time.
5. Block out the scary stuff
If there’s going to be lights and sounds nearby that will startle your pet, close the windows and curtains, black out the room, and maybe put on some music or tv to drown out the spooky noises.
There are plenty of low-intervention ways to keep your pet tranquil while you blow off some steam over the holidays.
In the long run, your pets should learn to cope with loud noises through training and experiences. Ask your vet about behavioural therapy resources and professionals who can help if your pet struggles with extreme anxiety.
In the meantime, with a little forethought and planning, the whole household will have a mellow and relaxing summer.
Check out our posts on summer safety with pets and separation anxiety.