It is unknown why some pets become afraid of noises; it is a common problem in dogs, but less so in cats. The fear can soon become a phobia, which is defined as a persistent, excessive, and irrational fear response. Anxiety states and fear behavior are very complex in both people and animals. Some amount of fear is natural and can help an animal survive, so it is a very difficult emotion to extinguish.Noise phobias can include fear of thunderstorms, firecrackers, gunshots, loud noises, and even the sound of birds.
Treatment for noise anxiety begins before the 4th of July. We can offer some prescription help at the last minute, but preparing for this situation in advance will make for an overall better experience in the short term and most importantly, for the life of your pet. The best and most effective treatment for noise anxiety/phobias is a combination of behavior and environmental modification, training, body wraps, pheromone treatments, and sometimes medications.
For a very thorough discussion outlining all the behavioral, environmental, body wraps and medications available including links to manufacturer websites and more, visit
