Is Your Pet Afraid of Fireworks?

Some pets have no trouble at all with fireworks. For example, hunting dogs who are used to the sound and smell of gunpowder hardly react at all.

Unfortunately though, holidays involving fireworks are very stressful for many pets. And, more pets run away on the Fourth of July than any other day of the year.

Why Are Pets So Afraid of Fireworks?

The thing to remember is, it is natural for dogs and cats to be afraid of loud noises. It's just how they're built.

Loud and unusual sounds trigger their nervous systems, making them anxious or afraid. And, running away from the noise is a survival instinct.

Also, for your pet, the experience of fireworks is different than other natural loud noises, like thunder.  

Fireworks sounds are closer to the ground and are accompanied by sudden booms, flashes, and burning smells.

In addition, pets experience the world through their senses of smell, sight sound. So, the typical Fourth of July celebration can be overwhelming to them.

Practical Ideas for Keeping Your Pet Safe and Calm During Fireworks

From a practical standpoint, there are several things to do to help keep your pet safe during fireworks.

For example:

• Make sure your pet is microchipped and wearing proper identification.
• Bring dogs and cats indoors during fireworks.
• Keep an eye on your pet during the commotion.
• If possible, be present to calm and nurture your pet.
• Keep a keen eye on your dog during the commotion, and make sure your pet is wearing proper identification.
• Provide a travel kennel for your pet to feel safe in.

Natural Products to Calm Your Pet During Fireworks

In addition to practical methods to help your pet during fireworks, TCVM products can help your pet maintain energetic balance during fireworks. By easing energetic imbalances, you can naturally soothe anxiety and fear from the inside out.

PET | TAO Freeze Dried Heart Treats

According to TCVM theory, the heart is home to the Shen, or spirit, which is disturbed by emotional imbalances. 

Any imbalance in the Heart organ can result in anxiety, excessive barking, sensitivity, over-excitement, and nervous exhaustion.

You can help your pet come back into balance by feeding PET | TAO Freeze Dried Heart Treats for dogs and cats.

The treats work according to TCVM Theory and "Like treats Like" fashion to tonify and balance the Heart meridian.

All you need to feed is 5-6 treats per day to help rebalance you pet's shen.

Learn More About PET | TAO Heart Treats

PET | TAO Chill or A Cooling Home-Cooked Diet

PET | TAO Chill is a cooling dog food. According to TCVM, cooling dog food can help calm a dog down. 

The basic premise has to do with TCVM's "Fire" element. Obviously, fire is warming. The Heart is the organ of the Fire element, and it houses the Shen (Spirit). 

And, as mentioned earlier, any imbalance in the Heart organ can result in anxiety.

In addition, when over-active, Fire imbalance results in excessive barking, sensitivity, over-excitement, and nervous exhaustion.

By feeding a cooling diet, you can counter-balance the energies of excess Fire to help ease anxiety and negative behaviors.

Learn More About PET | TAO Chill

See PET | TAO Cooling Dog Food Recipe

See PET | TAO Cooling Cat Food Recipe

Vet Classics Stress Away Soft Chews

Vet Classics Stress Away Soft Chews  are natural, chemical-free solution to help support the nervous system in reducing stress and tension and promoting relaxation in dogs and cats.

The main ingredients are chamomile, passion flower, thiamine, ginger, L-tryptophan, and melatonin. They all work together to promote calming.

Stress Away soft chews help with new environments, travel, fireworks, thunderstorms, prior to grooming, separation anxiety, and introducing a new family pet.

Learn More About Vet Classics Stress Away Chews

Vet Classics Anxiety and Stress Soft Chews

Vet Classics Anxiety and Stress Soft Chews provides complex blend of botanicals to support calming behavior in dogs.

It is an excellent natural alternative for dogs exhibiting nervousness, anxiety, or because of environmental stress such as traveling, boarding, or separation.

The main ingredients are melatonin, ginkgo biloba, chamomile, and passionflower. 

Anxiety and Stress Soft Chews are for dogs only, and are suitable for long-term use.

Learn More About Vet Classics Anxiety and Stress Soft Chews

TCVM Herbs to Help Your Anxious Pet Tolerate Fireworks

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine herbal blends are an excellent natural alternative for pets suffering from anxiety and nervousness.

The TCVM blends work on chronic underlying imbalances in pets, and usually take two to four weeks to notice a difference. 

Therefore, your pet would need to be on TCVM herbs for several weeks before you would notice a difference during fireworks season.

Of course, you need the advice of a TCVM-trained veterinarian to choose the most appropriate TCVM herbal formula to help your pets health and emotional challenges. Also, you need a veterinary authorization to purchase TCVM herbs.

The blends below are common choices for pets who suffer from fireworks-related anxiety.

Jing Tang Shen Calmer

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine principles, stress causes stagnation of Liver Qi. Then, Liver Qi stagnation eventually becomes fire, consuming Heart Yin and disturbing Shen (spirit). And eventually, disturbed Shen results in anxiety and restlessness.

TCVM practitioners soothe disturbed Shen by nourishing Heart Yin and cooling Fire. Shen Calmer helps pets by: 

• Calming Shen
• Nourishing Blood and Heart Yin
• Soothing Liver Qi

Learn More About Jing Tang Shen Calmer

Kan Essentials Happy Wanderer

Happy Wanderer spreads the Liver Qi and resolves stagnation, nourishes Blood, clears Heat from the Liver channel, harmonizes the Liver and Spleen Qi, drains Damp.

It is an excellent choice for helping pets suffering from irritability, tension, separation anxiety, territoriality, food and/or fear aggression, occasional loose stools, reduced appetite, and digestive disharmonies associated with stress.

Learn More About Kan Essentials Happy Wanderer

Kan Essentials Restore Restraint

Restore Restraint (Sang Piao Xiao San) addresses a disharmony between the Kidney and the Heart.

The formula's action is two-fold. It harmonizes the Kidney and Heart, thereby calming the Spirit, and restrain fluid leakage.

It is an excellent choice for pets suffering from temporary frequent urination, heightened stress from temporary anxiety, occasional disorientation and fatigue, and supports emotional wellbeing.

Learn More About Kan Essentials Restore Restraint

As mentioned earlier, the above are only a few of the most common TCVM herbal formulas recommended to help pets suffering from anxiety. Your vet may choose a herbal blend different from those listed above from what is found during your pet's TCVM exam.

Be A Good Friend

In addition to general recommendations, supplements, and TCVM herbs, simply being a good friend to your pet can be of great help during fireworks.

Be a good friend to your pet:

• If possible, bring your pet inside, close curtains and doors, and turn on the radio to mask the sound.
• Try not to leave your pet alone during fireworks. If you must, make sure you have a kennel, crate, or favorite "safe spot" for the duration. 
• Don't punish your pet for acting out, it will only cause your pet more stress.

Wishing you and your pets a happy and safe fireworks season!