Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My pet is anxious during fireworks & thunderstorms. What can I give?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 2 years and 5 months old | 44 lbs

My pet is very anxious during fireworks popping and thunderstorms. I have tried thunder shirts, putting her next to me and in her crate with a covering. It doesn’t help. What can I do to keep her calm during these times?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on July 4th, 2020

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Sasha. Poor girl. 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 her. We think we are comforting her when we do that, but it's actually reinforcing the behavior and telling her it's ok to be scared. It sounds like you are trying a lot of things at home without success. It's time to involve her vet. I would take her into a vet today to get her anti-anxiety medication that you can give her during those times to help her get through it. These anti-anxieties are very helpful for dogs with this kind of anxiety. I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi I have a question is all dogs afraid of thunderstorms because Zoey she has me up right now because of it and my nana's dogs are afraid of thunderstorms. Is there anything that I could give them amd it taste good to them over the counter Thank you
Thunderstorms can be really scary for dogs! One important thing to do to when your dog acts scared is not to reassure her. We think we are comforting her when we do that, but it's actually reinforcing the behavior and telling her 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. At home, 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 methods do not work, speak to Zoe's vet about prescription medication to give her during thunderstorms. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
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
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 10 yr. Old Shih-Ztu is terrified of thunder/lightning and any other loud bass or booming noises even as simple as a noise coming from the t.v. How can I correct this or can I ?
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 Boop by Petco to help care for Boobie.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
There were fireworks that went on about 3 hrs ago, and about a few minutes later, my dog started panting, shaking, not eating/ drinking anything, not responding to her name, keeps hiding in the corner and keeps looking around everywhere. It’s been o
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Luna. 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 her. We think we are comforting her when we do that, but it's actually reinforcing the behavior and telling her it's ok to be scared. Try putting her in a dark quiet room by herself to self-soothe. You can also turn on the TV or music to see if that will distract her and help her calm down. If this doesn't help, then I would take her into a vet asap to get anti-anxiety medication. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
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!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
What can I do to help calm my dog when there are fireworks?
Great question! 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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I was advised by my daughter's dog trainer to contact a vet about my Yorkie's anxiety. She is 7 yo and 12 lbs. She started off scared of some fireworks in the neighborhood. Now it has progressed to even heavy rain. She keeps us up during storms becau
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Ellie. I'm sorry she's having trouble with anxiety! Yes medications can help with anxiety, but she would need to see a vet in person to get the medication. We cannot provide a prescription for it from the site without seeing her in person; it's illegal, and against the user terms of the site. I recommend contacting her vet to make her an appointment to discuss the use of medication. A thundershirt may also help in conjunction with medication. You can buy them online, I also recommend looking at one of those. A tip to keep in mind when she is afraid is not to console her. It's natural to want to do that, but it actually reinforces the behavior. By consoling her, you are telling her it's ok to act this way. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Anxiety Medication Dog Food Cat Anxiety Medication Dog Anxiety Vests Prescription Horse Behavior & Anxiety Medication Dog Seizure Medication Dog Asthma Medication Dog Calming Aids and Supplements Dog Health & Wellness Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Reconcile Dog Anxiety Medication ThunderWorks Dog Anxiety Vests Sileo Dog Anxiety Medication Cerenia Dog Anxiety Medication Clomicalm Dog Anxiety Medication Fluoxetine Dog Anxiety Medication Thundershirt Dog Anxiety Vests Reconcile Cat Anxiety Medication Trazodone Dog Anxiety Medication ThunderWunder Calming Chews, Treats & Supplements for Dogs
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored