It's that time of year, unfortunately for our cats and dogs.... Fireworks Season! Here are our tips on making June and July more comfortable and safe for your pet.       

Make a Safe Space | A covered kennel, lover level (basement) hang out spot, bathroom, or next to you - find the spot your pet is the most comfortable being in. While we don't recommend making a big deal about fireworks, it is absolutely ok to cuddle and comfort your pet if they are seeking comfort from you. If your pet will eat a tasty treat while the fireworks are happening, you can even give them a treat *immediately* following a firework going off. Think about it like "boom = tasty treat"! Pets with lower levels of firework anxiety may soon more calmly look to you for a treat when a firework goes off, instead of running to hide.       

Leash Up | Put on your dog's collar and leash when they go out to potty. Even normally chill dogs can be frightened by a big boom nearby! A frightened dog may dart away from you or even climb a fence they have never tried to before.       

Make Some Noise | Try running ceiling fans, box fans and bathroom exhaust fans, in whichever room your dog is hunkered down in. A white noise machine or something soothing on the tv (turned up louder) can also help. The idea is to buffer the noise outside, with noise inside. Always be sure your dog can move out of the way of a standing or box fan if they wish to.      

    

ID Tags & Microchips | Be sure your pet's ID tags and mucrochip registration is up to date with your current address! Have your pet wear their collar with tags on July 3rd and 4th nights, so someone can contact you if your pet is lost. If you need an updated ID tag for your pet, The Green Spot offers on the spot tag engraving services - stop by today!       

Lick, Chew & Sniff | Licking, sniffing and chewing are all ways to help your dog calm.... naturally! Load up a licki mat with canned food, canned pumpkin, yogurt and treats - then freeze for a long lasting lickable treat. Licking is a great way to both distract your dog and redirect anxiety onto something positive. Chewing a safe, digestible chew satisfies instinctive needs and helps release calming endorphins. Sniffing helps your dog focus on something ALL dogs are naturals at, and reduces stress. Choose tasty or smelly type of treats and scatter them around the room for your dog to sniff our and find. You can also play a game by placing a few cardboard boxes throughout the room and placing tasty treats in those for your pup to search out. From chews, to spreadable and sniffable treats, we're here for you and your dog! Visit us today to stock up on their favorites.       

Supplements On-Board | Some pets need more than a place to hunker down and chews to occupy them. Calming supplements are a key way to reduce fireworks stress for both dogs and cats. At The Green Spot, we carry many options for both dogs and cats who could use some extra help with their anxiety. We always recommend starting natural calming supplements in advance of the July 4th holiday, to see how a particular one affects your pet. A few of our options can be used last-minute as well, but we suggest starting calming supplements the week before fireworks begin, when possible, for the best results. Calming supplement options include oils, chews, treats and powders (to go on top of food). We even carry a few brands that offer travel or trial size packs, so you can try out the calming supplement for your pet, before you by a larger bag. With many options avaiable, visit us in store or message us and we will assist you in find a calming supplement that fits your pet's needs.      

    

Check out our specially prepared FIREWORKS SURVIVAL KITS, which contain many of the items we've talked about in this blog. Let’s Make Fireworks Season Less Ruff – We’re here to help your pets (and you) feel a little more in control when the fireworks start booming. Grab your pet's Fireworks Survival Kit today! Do you have Questions? Pop by or message us