Pet Health Noise Phobia

By Jaime Speed, DVM

Summer….the time for swimming, barbeques, family time….and the time for thunderstorms and fireworks. Your pet may have issues with storms and fireworks because noise phobia is a common problem in household pets. This fear can develop from any noise including thunder, gunshots, fireworks, garbage trucks, car alarms, or vacuum cleaners. Phobias can be passed down genetically, develop from a lack of socialization during key learning periods, come from a bad experience, be exacerbated due to underlying illness, or develop with aging. There are certain breeds, such as herding breeds, that are more susceptible, and females are more commonly affected than males. Furthermore, dogs with separation anxiety are more likely to develop noise phobias.

Signs of anxiety can range from mild, such as clinging to their owners, hiding, licking their lips, yawning, and hypersalivation, to severe signs such as trembling, barking, destroying items, or inappropriately eliminating.

Treatment of noise phobias requires a multi step approach. No single treatment is likely to be successful. The basic formula is Avoidance of fear + Behavioral Modification + Anxiolytics. Some examples of anxiolytics include herbal supplements and compression therapy. L-Theanine has been found to decrease anxiety in cats and to decrease fear behavior in dogs. Alpha-casozepine is a cow milk derivative that has shown to lower stress related urinary tract disease in cats and reduce fear of strangers in dogs. Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense have improved mood disorders and protect the brain from the effects of stress. Compression clothing, such as the thundershirt and T-touch wraps can be quite beneficial for many animals. Calming music, white noise, massage, and acupuncture can also be beneficial.

Examples of products that help to calm your pet include Composure treats, Solliquin chews, Adaptil collars and diffusers, Feliway sprays and diffusers, Ear muffs, and calming caps. CBD is commonly marketed for pets but at this time none of the recent legalization efforts have included pet products. Quality control is lacking at this time for these products, and the proper dose is simply found by trial and error. Your Veterinarian is not legally able to recommend these products yet. Research is currently being done on these supplements in pets regarding safety and efficacy and your Veterinarian will advise you once more is known.

In cases of noise phobia, planning for noisy events is key. Speak to your veterinarian about whether prescription medications may be appropriate for your pet. It is helpful to do this weeks before an event takes place so you have time to test the medications. On the day of the event, secure pets indoors and use a leash if taking them outside for a potty break. Make sure they have an identification tag or collar with your phone number. Provide a safe retreat, such as a crate, a favorite bed, or a closet where they feel safe. Allow your pet to choose this spot. You may consider playing music with a regular beat to disguise loud bursts from fireworks or thunder. Close the blinds and ideally keep them in an interior room. Provide extra water during these times as they often drink more when they are nervous. Give rewards during the event by playing with his favorite toy, giving him a puzzle to do, or giving another high value treat to help him associate good things with the noise. Finally, chewing is a stress reliever in dogs, so provide something for them to safely chew during this time.

A major component of managing noise phobias is the behavior of the owner. It is important to maintain control of these situations and behave in a manner that supports your pet rather than adding to the problem. One of the most common mistakes made in managing noise phobias is when we “coddle” our pets. We want them to feel safe, so we hold them, pet them, give extra attention, and even allow them to break rules. The more we make a big deal out of storms and noises, the more we will reinforce the behavior in our pets. Although it feels counterintuitive, trying overtly to comfort your pet will end up making the fear worse. Instead, focus on staying calm and controlling the situation. Much like children, our pets will take emotional cues from us, and the calmer we remain during a crisis, the better they will respond. Next time that thunderstorm rolls in, pick up the ball and play some indoor fetch instead of hiding under the covers with your pet. You will be amazed over time how much it can help. There are plenty of ways to help pets manage through their fears during this rather loud time of the year. As always, start with your Veterinarian to get the best plan for managing the overall problem. For all the rest, be sure to stop by your local pet boutique for all your toy and supplement needs.

Jaime Speed, DVM is part of the team at Rabun Animal Hospital in Mountain City, Georgia. Originally from West Virginia she attended UGA Veterinary School where she met her husband Brad Speed, DVM. She is the owner of Claws & Paws Pet Boutique on South Main Street in downtown Clayton, Georgia.