Keeping Your Pet Calm During Storms
People are not the only ones disturbed by storms. Some very dignified adults fall apart when thunder and lightning strike; sometimes they even cower under the covers. It should come as no surprise, then, that many dogs and cats are scared to death of storms too. If your beloved pet has storm anxiety, you can develop some methods to help them cope. Your nerves might even improve as well.
Safe Place
Create a cozy place where you and your pet feel secure. If you have a smaller interior room, retire there with some soft music, delicious snacks, and something for you both to do. You may want to take a book and bring a toy for your pet. Once you are both snug, you should act like everything's normal. Animals are renowned for sensing anxiety. That is probably how they always know when they have a vet's appointment. They know you are dreading the visit too. Some vets even recommend that you ignore your pet once you are settled. If you fuss over them, they will assume doom is on the way.
You can experiment with other ways to calm your pet. Perhaps going to bed early and snuggling under the covers will work. Of course, some pets have extreme reactions to storms, possibly even harming themselves by running through glass doors or into walls. Your vet may recommend medication in that instance.
Medication
No one wants to drug their pet unless it is absolutely necessary, and you should always consult with your vet before you give your dog or cat any medication. They may want you to try OTC medications first. A little Benadryl or Dramamine may be enough to take the edge off your pet's anxiety. If that course does not work, your vet may prescribe a variety of sedative. If so, you must follow directions to the letter to make certain that your pet suffers no ill effects. This course of action is considered a last resort, but sometimes it is necessary to keep your pet safe. Like people, pets are often not rational when they are terrified. For many pet lovers, it may be harder to watch their pet suffer than it is to suffer themselves. Dogs do not understand why the world begins to rumble or why fire shoots from the sky, so it's no wonder some of them come unglued. You can make things easier for your dog or cat if you create a soothing environment for them during the storm. In extreme cases, you may need to give them medication. Either way, take action so that your pet does not have to suffer unnecessarily.