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How to help dogs with severe fireworks anxiety during holidays?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Male | neutered | 100 lbs

My two dogs have sever anxiety due to fireworks being shot off near my house 1 is an 8 year old german shepard and 2 is. A 2 year old cheweenie is there something i can do to help them through the holliday weekend

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 3rd, 2017

Yes there are some over the counter products you can try such as the thunder shirt or an Adaptil collar or diffuser. However if you want something that will work without fail I would try Alprazolam or Valium but these require a prescription through your vet so schedule an appt soon. I hope everything works out for your pets and happy holidays.

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    Answered By Dr. Davis

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 1st, 2017

    This is a common problem and dogs often get worse as they get older. I have had success with using a Thunder Shirt or other anti anxiety wrap. This seems to comfort them. Having access to a dark comfortable area such as a crate in a closet helps some dogs. There are medications your vet can prescribe also. I recommend starting with a supplement call Solliquin. This is given daily and helps the dogs learn to relax during stressful times. I've had good success with it, and there are other prescription medications your veterinarian may recommend. Please make sure to prevent Boobie from getting injured when he is scared. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help care for Boobie.

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    Answered By Anna M., DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 3rd, 2017

    I would recommend calling your primary vet as soon as possible and let them know about your dogs' fears. There's unfortunately nothing over the counter that is very effective for anxiety - but firework phobias are very common in dogs, and vets are used to getting calls from pet owners asking for a short course of anti-anxiety medication to get through the holiday. Your vet will be able to prescribe something that should help! If they haven't seen your dogs recently, they may require an exam prior to prescribing the medication. My standard go-to medication for noise phobias is trazodone - it helps with the anxiety without causing dramatic sedation. However, there are other medications that can be effective as well, depending on what your vet keeps in stock. Hope that helps!

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Related Questions

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What should I do to get my dogs to relax for Fourth of July? I have two dogs and they are both very scared and skittish when they hear any fire works what should I do? Is there any medicines I can give them?
I would recommend calling your primary vet as soon as possible and let them know about your dogs' fears. There's unfortunately nothing over the counter that is very effective for anxiety - but firework phobias are very common in dogs, and vets are used to getting calls from pet owners asking for a short course of anti-anxiety medication to get through the holiday. Your vet will be able to prescribe something that should help! If they haven't seen your dogs recently, they may require an exam prior to prescribing the medication. My standard go-to medication for noise phobias is trazodone - it helps with the anxiety without causing dramatic sedation. However, there are other medications that can be effective as well, depending on what your vet keeps in stock. Hope that helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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What options are there for a dog with anxiety. My 8yr. Old female has become sensitive to people coughing, fireworks,thunder/lightning. She will shake and try to find a place to hide.
If loud noises are the main problem, you can try to control the environment. If a storm is in the forecast or it is firework season, place her where a white noise machine is running to help mask the sounds. They make a product called a thunder shirt. It is basically a snug fitting shirt that does help some feed safe and relax while it is on. They make a pheromone collar for dogs that helps calm them also If none of these help, then talk to your vet about prescription medicine. They have a variety from some that are given every day to those that are just needed during each occurrence.
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How do I relax my dog during thunderstorms and fireworks. Also when the Postman comes.
That is a common problem for a lot of dogs and not easy to treat. You could talk to your vet about trying a medication like Trazodone, Sileo, or Alprazolam to be given prior to fireworks or a thunderstorm. Also, sitting with your dog in the basement with the tv or music playing loudly sometimes helps, too.
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My maltese has diabetes. Is there anything you can recommend that I give my dog to help with anxiety? Once the fireworks start, he starts panting and shaking like crazy. I've tried holding him, taking him into the bathroom and turning the fan on, giv
Fireworks and loud noises can be really scary for dogs. One important thing to do to when your dog acts scared is not to reassure him. We think we are comforting him when we do that, but it's actually reinforcing the behavior and telling him it's ok to be scared. I recommend getting him a thundershirt to wear when there are fireworks or loud noises. These have been reported to help dogs with anxiety. At home, you can put him in a dark quiet room by himself to self-soothe. You can also turn on the TV or music to block out the sound. Finally, you can consider get a pheromone diffuser called DAP that helps dogs with anxiety. If none of these things help, I'd take Scooter into the vet to discuss the use of anti-anxiety medications. I hope this helps Diane!
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My parents' dog has been experiencing bad anxiety lately, probably connected to fireworks but has extended beyond that to long periods where she hides in the bathroom or shakes excessively. Today she won't leave the bathroom is whining; she bares her
I'm sorry to hear that your pet is so anxious with all the fireworks going on. Unfortunately most successfull treatments for anxiety are prescription medications that your vet would have to recommend. There are tons of over the counter natural anxiety supplements that you can try, but only some success with one which is the thunder shirt. Also Zylkene is another anxiety medicine that can be tried without a prescription but often is only available online. You will have to try the thunder shirt and any natural over the counter from your local petstore that looks appealing to you. Hopefully this wil be enough to calm her somewhat. For future, I would advise going to the vet before any future holidays involving fireworks so that you can give her medication ahead of time. The medication also has to be given 1-2 hrs before the events to be effective. Eventually Ella will calm down, but this is a good thing to note with her for the future to help ease her stress and anxiety. Here is
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Are there any safe supplements, essential oils to use for anxiety with upcoming fireworks? I saw melatonin online?
There are a variety of over the counter pet specific calming medications that may or may not work (every pet responds differently). Thunder jackets can also help. The most reliable method is to pick up medication from the veterinarian. Many times a trial run is a good idea as well to make sure Toffee response to the sedatives as expected. Best of luck.
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I have a female pug. She trembles and palpitates violently when crackers go wild in my neighborhood for a week. We had to sedate her last year. She doesn't eat anything. Can you help?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Olive is adorable! There are anti-anxiety medications you can try which your veterinarian can prescribe such as Trazodone. I find this medication very helpful in these cases. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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My miniature schnauzer has been having a terrible time dealing with thunderstorms and I'm thinking of some anti anxiety medication for him to help. Any recommendations for over the counter meds that are safe for him or should I wait for a visit to th
You can always try over the counter remedies for anxiety before resorting to drugs. That being said, I have rarely seen these "natural" products work on dogs especially ones that have severe anxieties. Here are some things you can try: 1. Thundershirt: http://www.thundershirt.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzuHJ_Y2j1QIVFo1-Ch00fwx0EAAYASAAEgKaavD_BwE 2. Rescue Remedy for Pets: http://www.bachflower.com/rescue-remedy-pet/ 3. DAP (dog appeasing pheromone): http://dapdiffuser.com/ If those do not help, I would suggest you speak to your vet about a prescription of Trazodone. I think it is the best anti-anxiety medication without many side effects and it doesn't make them too groggy or "out of it". Hope this helps. Best wishes!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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I have an english pointer bitch. She is afraid of gunshots, fireworks and thunderstorms. She keeps on barking and crying. I have tried bringing her inside the house too but nothing calms her down. What should I do? She is on the extreme of her anxie
Poor Suzie! Fireworks and loud noises can be really scary for dogs. One important thing to do to when she acts scared is not to reassure her. We think we are comforting him when we do that, but it's actually reinforcing the behavior and telling him it's ok to be scared. I recommend getting her a thundershirt to wear when there are fireworks or loud noises. These have been reported to help dogs with anxiety. You can get them off the internet. Inside the house, you can put her in a dark quiet room by herself to self-soothe. You can also turn on the TV or music to block out the sound. Finally, you can consider get a pheromone diffuser called DAP that helps dogs with anxiety. If these techniques do not work with Suzie, then take her into the vet to discuss the use of anti-anxiety drugs.
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Health & Wellbeing
My dog has severe anxiety. What is some good products I can use to help during fireworks or grooming?
Poor Hachiko! Fireworks and loud noises can be really scary for dogs. One important thing to do to when your dog acts scared is not to reassure him. We think we are comforting him when we do that, but it's actually reinforcing the behavior and telling him it's ok to be scared. I recommend getting him a thundershirt to wear when there are fireworks or loud noises. These have been reported to help dogs with anxiety. At home, you can put him in a dark quiet room by himself to self-soothe. You can also turn on the TV or music to block out the sound. Finally, you can consider get a pheromone diffuser called DAP that helps dogs with anxiety. This pheromone diffuser can help with grooming him. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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