April comes with frequent doses of thunder and lightning, which often results in terrified cats and dogs. Here are a few different products that can help to soothe your pet’s distress.
1) Thundershirt: Made for both cats and dogs, we’re sure you’ve seen these during commercial breaks or in your local pet store. The concept behind these vests is that they provide slight, comforting pressure to your pet to ease their nerves. A similar concept seen in us humans is when we are calmed when hugging someone. Depending on your individual pet, this medication-free product may be all your pet needs to “take the edge off” during stressful situations.
2) Adaptil for Dogs: This great product can be used to relieve tension in multi-pet homes. The reason this product is able to serve that function is because it calms each individual pet down. This means that using Adaptil with your “only child” dog will still provide a great calming effect.
3) Feliway for Cats: Not only can this pheromone reduce feline “sibling rivalry,” it can help to resolve scratching, spraying, excessive hiding, and even aggression issues in your anxious cat. Like Adaptil, Feliway uses pheromone technology to allow cats to feel safe during unfamiliar or tense experiences. Whether your cat needs some help relaxing on a daily basis or just during extreme storms and trips to the vet, Feliway can help!
4) Composure by Vetri-Science: This product also has formulas for both cats and dogs. It can come either as a bite-sized chew or in liquid form. Composure has several calming ingredients, including L-Theanine (which is found in various tea leaves) and B vitamins. Composure acts as a supplement rather than a sedative and can be used daily, when a big storm front is coming through, or on special occasions like the Fourth of July.
5) Prescription medications: Your veterinarian may prescribe mild sedatives during times of extreme stress or in addition to a behavior modification program. These medications should only be used as a last resort while other steps are being taken manage your pet’s anxiety symptoms. Many of these medications require bi-annual examinations and regular blood and/or urine testing for the safety of your pet. The other four products in this list will assist in calming your pet without affecting energy level or causing drowsiness.
As always, consult with your veterinarian about these products and which one is best for your individual pet. Here at Emerald Animal Hospital, we carry all of these products and are offering 10% off all behavior products this month! Call to schedule an appointment with one of our veterinarians to discuss the options for your pet–before thunderstorms and fireworks start rolling in!
Have you used any of these products with your pet? Which one worked best for you? Let us know in the comments below!