New Year, New Fears: Ways to Help Your Dog During New Year's Eve Celebrations

New Year's Eve. For some a fun night to ring in a new year, for your dogs it can be quite scary. Some places have fire works, maybe your neighbors have a big loud party (maybe you want to throw a party!) Here's a few tips that can help your pet feel more comfortable.

A wonderful way to help ease a pets anxiety can be CBD or Melatonin. I prefer liquid forms of both medications as it absorbs better, but in a pinch the treats can be a help. You can find them in any local pet store. As with many other things in life, these won't affect every pet the same. Also they should start being given a few hours before the evening festivities kicks off. If your pet has never had these meds before you should stay home with them to monitor their behavior. Most effects are mild, but just to be safe. If you need to walk your dog, make sure you are back home before dark to avoid being outside when fireworks may go off. Give them extra play and exercise time earlier in the day so they will be calmer once the evening hits. Letting them out to potty before bed, go out in the yard with them in case a boom goes off. If it does, just call to your dog in a cheery voice and usher them inside. Make sure they have on a collar with an ID tag and hopefully they are also micro-chipped.

Give them a frozen Kong somewhere safe to allow them to focus on something other than the noises outside or in your home. If you can't be home; a fan on high, a TV or radio on to block out sound, and being in a covered crate can all help them feel more comfortable. You can also plug in an Adaptil diffuser in the room your pet will be in. Plug it in in the morning and let it run all day. You can also find these at the pet store. I personally use the diffuser instead of the collars. If you live near large fire works displays you can also purchase a Thundershirt for your pet. Make sure it fits quite snug, as it is the pressure that helps ease their tension. Insure your dog can not ingest any of your party food or alcohol, not only are many of these things poisonous but an anxious dog may act in ways you do not expect.

Some pre-planning before you go out, or have people over, or batten down the hatches with your pup will be invaluable to yourself and your pup. Good luck and as always reach out if you need help!

For the Dogs,

Christina. DTFC