How to Support Your Pets as the New Year arrives!
- posted: Dec. 27, 2023
As the year draws to a close, we reflect on all that we have accomplished as well as begin to anticipate all the amazing things that the New Year will have in store...perfect reasons to have a celebratory party with friends & family and perhaps set off some spectacular fireworks! But all the noise, flashing lights, music, extra people and of course the loud explosions of fireworks can be very stressful for our four-legged family members. Here are some tips from our WAH team to help keep them calm and comfortable:
1) Provide a quiet safe space away from people, visiting pets that belong to other family or friends, and noise for your own pet to retreat to. This can be a separate room with a cozy kennel full of favorite bedding or toys that they can go to if they need a break.
2) Adaptil (for dogs) or Feliway Optimum (for cats) are pheromone sprays or diffusers that you can plug in and/or spray their bedding and kennels with. Our pets detect these pheromones as calming and safe, helping to reduce anxiety & stress.
3) White noise machines or soft blowing fans can help drown out the loud voices, fireworks and doorbell noises that can be triggers for anxious behavior and vocalization in some pets.
4) Enrichment toys or treats to keep your pet mentally engaged and distracted from background activity. Solving the puzzle, getting the treat out of the toy or ball, automatic laser pointers, and the dancing fish are all great examples of enrichment items that offer positive reward and interaction to keep pets engaged and focused!
5) anti-anxiety supplements such as Calming Care powder or zylkene capsules
6) for pets with high levels of fearful or destructive behavior, discuss short term medication options with one of our experienced Veterinarians
As always, if you have any additional questions regarding your pet, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team members. We wish everyone a happy, healthy and safe New Year!
- posted: Dec. 27, 2023
As the year draws to a close, we reflect on all that we have accomplished as well as begin to anticipate all the amazing things that the New Year will have in store...perfect reasons to have a celebratory party with friends & family and perhaps set off some spectacular fireworks! But all the noise, flashing lights, music, extra people and of course the loud explosions of fireworks can be very stressful for our four-legged family members. Here are some tips from our WAH team to help keep them calm and comfortable:
1) Provide a quiet safe space away from people, visiting pets that belong to other family or friends, and noise for your own pet to retreat to. This can be a separate room with a cozy kennel full of favorite bedding or toys that they can go to if they need a break.
2) Adaptil (for dogs) or Feliway Optimum (for cats) are pheromone sprays or diffusers that you can plug in and/or spray their bedding and kennels with. Our pets detect these pheromones as calming and safe, helping to reduce anxiety & stress.
3) White noise machines or soft blowing fans can help drown out the loud voices, fireworks and doorbell noises that can be triggers for anxious behavior and vocalization in some pets.
4) Enrichment toys or treats to keep your pet mentally engaged and distracted from background activity. Solving the puzzle, getting the treat out of the toy or ball, automatic laser pointers, and the dancing fish are all great examples of enrichment items that offer positive reward and interaction to keep pets engaged and focused!
5) anti-anxiety supplements such as Calming Care powder or zylkene capsules
6) for pets with high levels of fearful or destructive behavior, discuss short term medication options with one of our experienced Veterinarians
As always, if you have any additional questions regarding your pet, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team members. We wish everyone a happy, healthy and safe New Year!
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