Noise phobia in pets

Welcome to autumn nights. The explosions, the bangs, the bright lights. The celebrations: it’s fantastic, but not for everyone.

With up to half of all dogs reacting fearfully to sound noise anxiety is a common behavioural concern, which often peaks around Fireworks Night. Typical signs include panting, trembling, pacing, seeking people, hiding or trying to escape, refusal to eat, inappropriate urination or defecation, as well as changes in facial expression and body language indicative of stress.

Despite the fact that sensitivity to noise is common, compromises canine welfare, and is a major concern to dog owners, its treatment has been difficult in the past. When inadequately treated, the condition typically worsens and often leads to the generalisation of fear responses to a variety of noises.

While fireworks and thunder are common causes of noise anxiety there are many other occasions when dogs may exhibit signs of anxiety that the owner may not always attribute to noise, such as travel, social gatherings and even visits to the vet.  By being aware of the signs of anxiety and fear in their dog and planning ahead to manage the situation, owners can greatly reduce their dog’s stress to these noises.

There are lots of ways that pet owners can help and in our latest blog we look at ways to help calm your pet in the run-up to Halloween and Bonfire Night.

The Dogs Trust suggests there could be up to 5 million dogs in the UK who display behaviours associated with noise anxiety.

Calming products

Zylkene

Zylkene Calming Supplement for Cats & Dogs is a calming supplement to help cats and dogs cope with separation anxiety and stressful situations inside and outside the home.

Nutricalm

Nutracalm is a fast acting natural calming supplement for dogs & cats

Cystophan

A healthy urinary tract is important for a healthy cat. Interactions between several body systems including the bladder and nervous systems can affect your cat’s urinary health

Yucalm

It’s specifically formulated with active ingredients to calm stressed or nervous dogs.

Scullcap & Valerian

Scullcap & Valerian Tablets are produced for dogs and cats to promote calmness and help relax excited, apprehensive or nervous individuals. Scullcap & Valerian can be used for dogs which become over excited or nervous on car journeys, or many other situations.

Calmex

Calmex is a unique product, formulated to encourage stress relief in dogs, cats and horses. It is can be particularly useful in situations like transport, lifestyle changes, veterinary visits, boarding/kenneling and challenging environments which may make them fearful or anxious.

Feliway

Feliway is a synthetic version of the cat facial pheromone. Felway comes in a diffuser which is a plugin that you plug into the wall or as a spray that you can spray on objects in the house. The spray is especially useful if your cat is urinating in a certain area of the house or scratching on a particular piece of furniture.

DAP

Adaptil (DAP) Dog appeasing pheromones (DAP) are used to keep your dog calm under stressful situation

Pet remedy

Starts to help instantly and will help with separation anxiety, bonding, fireworks, new home, bereavement, new pet in home, and any other stressful situation.

Prescription Medicines

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are sometimes indicated for panic (such as in  noise phobia). They may provide  some amnesic properties (in some  cases retrograde), so can be useful in some dogs with noise phobias.  Paradoxical excitement can occur in  some cases, so a test dose is usually  recommended.

Pexion

Pexion is licensed in ‘combination with a  behaviour modification plan for the  control of anxiety in social and non social situations (e.g. noise), once  the role of pain has been controlled.’

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines may be given to dogs that have fears and phobias from things such as fireworks, thunderstorms, or other loud noises. These medications are quick to take effect so they are usually given on an as-needed basis.

Sileo

It is prescribed by your veterinarian to help keep your dog calm when he or she hears scary noises.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding any of the products listed above please do speak with your local surgery who will be able to offer further advice.