With the New Year right around the corner, we can anticipate a lot of commotion both on the ground and in the sky. 

Fireworks cause anxiety in nearly 40% of dogs alone, not to mention the distress it can cause for other pets such as birds, cats and small animals. Can you imagine if us humans had no idea the fireworks were coming?  The unpredictable booms, the flashes of light and the physical vibrations from the eruptions - all of these things trigger our pet's natural fight or flight response and create rushes of anxiety.

Dogs specifically tend to react worse to fireworks, the stress they bring can cause our dogs to act abnormally, especially those with a history of storm anxiety. Changes in your dogs behavior can be minimal such as excess drooling, pacing, whining, and trembling but they can also be extreme; some dogs anxiety gets so bad that they experience serious behavioral changes which include destructive behavior (think chewing, scratching), inappropriate urination/defecation indoors, agression and even attempting to escape. These reactions are part of their natural instinctual response, but as responsible pet owners, we can help them out. It's best to get ahead of the anxiety, but if you start noticing behavioral changes it's not too late!

Typically, the best way to handle firework anxiety is to give your dog some CBD - this can be in the form of a treat or in CBD oil, both of which are safe and effective when used properly. CBD oil can allow for more precise dosing while treats can be more convenient. Please ensure that you are using quality products when it comes to pet CBD, broad spectrum or full spectrum is common and safe - above all else please ensure that the CBD products are THC free as this is toxic to dogs and can cause significant issues. If you have any questions about CBD usage or would like to purchase some, please visit our store and find us at the front counter!

If you do not wish to use CBD, there are other types of calming aids (we sell some great ones made by Nootie!) that have active ingredients like melatonin and valerian root - ensure that you are only giving your pets calming aids that are intended for animals as human calming aids can include ingredients that are harmful to pets. 

If you just don't want to give your pet any calming aids this New Years, here are some helpful tips to manage their anxiety at home:

  • create a safe space: if they are crate trained, make it extra cozy with additional blankets, maybe offer a stuffed animal or treat to chew on, and consider adding a cover to darken the space for them. Also consider leaving the door open so they don't feel trapped in this space and give them the option to come out if they want some companionship
  • create white noise: consider turning on a fan, playing some light music or some plain white noise to distract from the pops of the fireworks
  • offer a distraction: a new toy, a chew, or maybe even a Kong toy (with dog-safe peanut butter) to take their mind off of things
  • stay calm and comforting: dogs can pick up on our emotions and can often feel when we are uneasy and potentially can feed off of that so do your best not to overwhelm your pet
  • make sure they are identified: like prviously stated, their fear can cause their "flight" response and many dogs attempt to escape or run away when under distress so if nothing else, make sure your dog has an ID tag onit with your information or even better is microchipped or wearing a tracking device such as an AirTag!

Most of these tips are applicable to other pets as well, if you have any questions please give us a call. 

Thank you to each and every one of you who have supported us through 2025 and for years prior, we are seriously so grateful. We hope you continue to choose us as your pet store of choice in 2026 and Happy New Year from Animal House Pet Center :)