In our last article we looked at a few tips and ideas that could help your dogs, cats or pets in general if they suffer from noise anxiety, in particular being frightened by fireworks.
Further to the ideas we shared you can also help your dogs by giving them a number of useful dog or pet supplements that can help to calm them throughout this difficult period.
Although it would be nice to be able to condition our pets to get used to the things that many of us humans love, in a lot of cases dogs and fireworks are simply never going to get along.
Scullcap and Valerian Tablets
The first of the fireworks remedies for dogs that we suggest you try is a herbal remedy product called Scullcap and Valerian Tablets, which are made by Dorwest. These tablets are a fantastic supplement that is widely used as a treatment for noise phobias such as thunder, gunfire and in this case, fireworks.
Scullcap and Valerian tablets calms and relaxes dogs and cats without causing drowsiness or sedation. It is also popular for use with pets that suffer from travel related anxiety and in particular cats that display territorial spraying issues.
Scullcap & Valerian Tablets, when used daily, can provide a better coverage and are ideal to start using in the lead up to Fireworks Night. This is so that your pets are already nice and relaxed before the scary noises start. The more severe the phobia, the earlier you should start, up to a month in some cases. For moderate phobias, start around 10 days before the predicted worst night. However, even if you only start the day or so before your dog can still benefit.
Suggest usage for Scullcap & Valerian Tablets is 1 - 2 tablets per 5kgs bodyweight daily, ideally given as two split doses, depending on the severity of the condition. For use on singular occasions, give 12 hours and 2 hours before the event using the higher dosage rate.
Click here for Scullcap and Valerian Tablets
Valerian Compound
Valerian Compound, a concentrated liquid form, is quicker-acting than the tablets and is therefore perfect to use orally as a "top-up" for those unpredicted events, such as a neighbours having a fireworks display or a thunder storm. The drops can be given orally or are ideal to put a few drops on a cloth on their bed to help them relax, cats love this especially.
Scullcap & Valerian Tablets can be used in conjunction with Valerian Compound, however, used daily the tablets provide better coverage and are ideal to start using in the lead up to fireworks night so they are already nice and relaxed before the event.
Valerian Compound dosage is 1/2 tsp for small and medium dogs and cats, 1 tsp for large dogs and 1.5tsp for giant dog breeds. May be given when required, but it is not recommended that more than two administrations of the stated amount are given in a 24 hours period.
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PhytoPet Calm
Our next suggested supplement that can help with dogs and fireworks is PhytoPet Calm. It comes in a 30ml bottle and is a combination of natural herbal botanical extracts to help your pet cat and dog cope with the stress of fireworks.
PhytoPet Calm contains a number of calming ingredients.
- Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Naturally powerful, non-addictive and anti-spasmodic nerve relaxant, sedative, and pain reliever. Its actions are due to its calming and balancing effect on the central nervous system. Traditionally used for all states of nervous anxiety and irritability.
- Scullcap (Scutellaria laterifolia)
Relaxing herbal remedy, traditionally used for nervous tension and anxiety with calming effect.
- Oats (Avena sativa)
Gentle calming herb with a special affinity with the nervous system. In combination with Valerian, the synergy is special, each herb enhancing the action of the other
- Passionflower (Passiflora incarnate)
Traditionally used for sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability, its non-addictive calming effect is due to its action on the central nervous system.
- Wild Lettuce (Lactuca virosa)
Traditionally used for hyperactivity, insomnia, anxiety, nervousness and excitability and to promote restful sleep. Works well in combination with Valerian and Passionflower.
- Jamaica Dogwood (Piscidia erythrina)
Well known mild sedative and nerve relaxant, used by herbalists for over-excitability and sleeplessness.
Overall, we highly recommend this product if your dog (pet) suffers from anxiety brought on by fireworks.
Click here to get PhytoPet Calm
Pet Remedy Essential Calming Spray
The last of the complementary supplements we suggest for helping reduce the stress brought on with your dogs and fireworks is called Essential Calming Spray.
Essential Calming Spray from Pet Remedy works alongside the brain's natural messengers known as neuro-transmitters, which will tell the nerve receiving the message to calm. In times of anxiety or stress in our pets the nerves tend to get over stimulated, which will lead to many symptoms of stress.
Click here to get Pet Remedy Essential Calming Spray
The main thing to remember is to prepare in plenty of time for the noisy event, trying your best not to leave it until the very last minute.
If you missed the last article that looked at some tips you can employ to help prepare your dog for firework’s night then you can find it by clicking here.
If you have any questions about any of the above information or would like to speak to one of our specialist then please get in touch as we would love to help.