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Natural Remedy If Your Dog Is Scared Of Fireworks Or Thunderstorms

What to do if your Dog is Scared of Fireworks (or thunderstorms) A Natural Remedy that is Holistic Vet Recommended | Primally Inspired

 

A Natural Remedy if your Dog is Scared of Fireworks and Thunderstorms

 

A few years ago when we lived on the water in Maryland, Hurricane Sandy hit our area. Right before we evacuated our riverfront home, one of our upstairs outside doors came crashing through the house, making a very loud bang. The open doorframe and strong winds caused another upstairs inside doorframe to crash and fall into the hall making another very loud noise. Thankfully, we were all downstairs and unharmed. 

 

But ever since that incident, my normally carefree dog, Bently has been absolutely terrified of thunderstorms or any loud noises like fireworks or gunshots. His anxiety is so bad that his entire body dramatically shakes and his teeth actually chatter so loud you can hear it across the room. I’m not kidding  🙁 My poor furbaby! 

 

What to do if your Dog is Scared of Fireworks (or thunderstorms) A Natural Remedy that is Holistic Vet Recommended | Primally Inspired

 

Over the years, we’ve tried a few different holistic vet recommended, natural remedies to help calm his anxiety during thunderstorms and fireworks. Most of the natural remedies we’ve tried haven’t worked well enough for him, but one remedy in particular does work really well. 

 

I always carry this particular natural remedy in my medicine cabinet and it’s what I reach for during the 4th of July and thunderstorms (and also long car rides – he hates those, too). 

 

Since the 4th of July is coming up, I figured I wasn’t going to be the only one dealing with a pet who is terrified of fireworks. So I wanted to share what works for us in hopes that it can help you relieve your fur baby’s anxiety. 

 

How To Video for Fear of Fireworks and Thunder

I made a video for you! Click the video player below to watch the short how to video or keep scrolling to read the rest of the post:

 

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What to do if your Dog is Scared of Fireworks (or thunderstorms) A Natural Remedy that is Holistic Vet Recommended | Primally Inspired

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Natural Remedy for Anxiety from Fireworks and Thunder for Pets

 

Homeopathic Remedy Phosphorus 30C 

Phosphorus 30C is usually the first remedy holistic vets reach for during fear of thunderstorms. THIS is the kind I use. This works so well for Bently.  It gives him almost immediate relief from his anxiety. Within about a minute, he stops shaking and pacing and instead, lies down and then goes to sleep. It’s been such a lifesaver for us!  

 

How to give it to your pet:

If your pet is willing, just put 2 or 3 pellets on the tongue, under the tongue or on the inside of the cheek during times of anxiety. Make sure there is no food in your pet’s mouth when you administer the pellets.

 

Bently spits them right out so I have to dissolve them in water and then squirt some in his mouth.  Here’s how you do that:

 

1. In a bottle or jar, put 4 pellets in 4 ounces of spring, distilled or filtered water.

2. Let the pellets dissolve for about 5 minutes.

3. Put on the lid, shake vigorously and then give the bottle a couple whacks with your hand (this strengthens the remedy).

4. Squirt 1/4 teaspoon into your pet’s mouth (I use something like THIS to squirt). If the teeth are clenched, it’s ok. As long as it touches the mucous membranes, it will work. If you can’t get it into the mouth, apply it to the paw pads as it will absorb through the skin.  Make sure to give the remedy on a clean palate – no food in the mouth. Do NOT mix it in their food – it won’t work.

Keep any of the remaining remedy in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.  If you want to store it longterm, make sure to use distilled water and then add in a tablespoon of clear vodka. If you don’t want to use vodka, you can also use vegetable glycerin, although it’s not as good as a preservative as vodka. And make sure to keep it in the fridge! 

 

How often?

Generally, we just need to give 1 or 2 doses about 15 minutes apart during anxiety and it lasts him for a few hours. In severe cases, you can give this dose once every 15 minutes until the anxiety lessens. 

 

(Source, Source, Source)

 

Other natural remedies for fireworks and thunderstorms for pets: 

 

Although I didn’t have good luck using these natural remedies below, I think they are still worth mentioning since many holistic vets generally have very good success with them:

 

Thundershirt – An Anti-Anxiety Shirt for Pets

I’ve heard so many success stories from those who have experience with the thundershirt (Find HERE), but unfortunately, it didn’t work for us. It seems to be helpful for most dogs, though. Customer studies show that it helps about 80% of dogs.

 

Rescue Remedy

Rescue Remedy (Find HERE) is a blend of flower essences and it’s great for any animal that is upset. It  comes highly recommended by holistic vets, as they see a lot of success with it in their practice. Unfortunately, we didn’t have much luck with this remedy either. One of my friends owns a dog shelter and swears by rescue remedy, though so it may work for you! 

 

I hope this info will help all the scared fur baby’s out there 🙂 Do you have a pet that is scared of fireworks or thunder like mine? What do you do to help? I’d love to hear what is working for you!

Easy Paleo Recipes & Holistic Living

 

Pin Dog is Scared of Fireworks or Thunder HERE:

What to do if your Dog is Scared of Fireworks (or thunderstorms) A Natural Remedy that is Holistic Vet Recommended | Primally Inspired

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45 comments

  1. Avatar

    This is awesome! Our dog hates fireworks and we were hoping to go somewhere but didn’t want to leave him home alone. This will be great!

  2. Avatar

    I have a small dog, do I need to adjust the dose?

  3. Avatar

    I’m definitely going to try this as we have one dog that’s a wreck in fireworks or chain saws and the other one gets car sick! Thanks so much for the tips! They’re both powdered with DE and Eucalyptus oil right now too!)

    PS Would you consider moving that “box” to check to before the “post comment” box? I ALWAYS miss it and get an error message. If that doesn’t prevent the machine spammers then I guess I’ll just have to learn, eventually!

    • Kelly from Primally Inspired

      Janet, that’s been on my to-do list! I’ll have to move it a little further up the list now 🙂 It is to prevent the machine spammers, but I think there’s other options out there – I just have to find out what they are and do it!

  4. Avatar

    this is surprising as I just read an article by a wholistic vet and that is the same formula used for the
    dog flu. It reduces symptoms of the flu, even the new one, as well length of illness.

  5. Avatar

    You recommend 2-3 tablets if given orally, but only 1/2 tsp of a very diluted 4 tablets. How does represent a full dose? Just wondered. I am trying the doseage as I am desperate!

  6. Avatar

    Thanks so much for this tip! I just got it in for my big dog and i am really hoping it works cause this time of year is the worst!!!

  7. Avatar

    I will definitely give this a try. I’ve gotten to the point where I’m giving him sedatives and I don’t like that. I ha 10 year old Boston Terrier an he shakes so bad, I’m scared he’s going to seize up. Thanks for the advice!

  8. Avatar

    Thanks for this; I’m definitely gonna be trying this. Every year because of the summer vacationers, we have people always light off fireworks. This year however we have a dog who does not like fireworks or thunder storms. I hope this remedy makes the difference we’ve been looking for.

  9. Avatar

    Following up, sadly this didn’t work for our tightly wound Saluki/Husky girl, neither fireworks nor thunder I’ll try the rescue remedy next. She may need sedating, but by the time that kicks in most of the noise is over! On the triumph side, at least my husband agreed to try this non-conventional treatment!

    • Kelly from Primally Inspired

      Bummer, Janet! I was hoping it would be the ticket for your anxious girl! Please let me know how the Rescue Remedy works for her. When I posted about this on my Facebook page, a lot of people said they use the Rescue Remedy with success so I will cross my fingers for you 🙂 Glad to hear about the positive step with your husband, too.

    • Avatar

      Hi Janet, I’ve posted a couple of times already on this thread. Homeopathy is very precise, so if Phosphorus doesn’t work, try Aconitum Napellus. It worked for mine in less than a minute when the other remedies failed.

  10. Avatar

    Hello Kelly, I’m interested in phosphorus 30 c for thunderstorms for my dog. Are the tablets the same as the pellets. I find it easier to give my dog a pill.

  11. Avatar
    Jennifer Jordan

    I currently have 2 furbabies. 1food driven and other toy driven. When they were young and there was a storm I played with them or used food to make them move forward. Even tiny steps forward unlock the brain from fear. Just crawl with them from lounge to bedroom and back with you between them and open front door moving forward. Attention on toy or fav food. Now my lil chi’s both run for their favorite toys and the front door as soon as it starts raining or when they hear fireworks lol
    Also believe in no comforting, stroking or soft words when scared. Rather pat chest and massage (you need to relax there is nothing wrong) as opposed to stroking (it’s really bad and carry on being scared because this is how I normally tell you that you’re good.) oh and while giving massage keep taking tail out between legs.
    This “system” has worked for me since my 2nd furbaby a looooong loooong time ago and has helped friends also.

  12. Avatar

    I will try this as my dog Bandit is very scared of thunder and fireworks as well. If I know a storm is coming I will give him 2 gravol pills which does relax him – and he has a thunder jacket as well. But I am going to try this too. Thanks for sharing.

  13. Avatar

    My poor girl is a rescue and has severe anxiety/PTSD from storms and fireworks – everything sounds like a gun shot to her! I really hope this works!! Thank you for the information!

    • Avatar

      Amelia, your girl sounds like my dog, and since you mentioned “gunshot”, in case Phosphorus doesn’t work, please try Aconitum Napellus , it’s made by the same brand (they are other brands too) and cost is the same. It worked in less than a minute for mine, after Phosphorus failed.

  14. Avatar

    Pellets don’t seem to be dissolving, what should I do to make them?

  15. Avatar

    I was looking up where to buy phosphorus 30c, and came across this list, Natrum Phosphoricum 30C Boiron 80 Pellet. … Kali Phosphoricum 30C Boiron 80 Pellet. … Phosphorus 30C by Boiron 80 Pellet Phosphorus 30C 80 Pellet Product. Does it matter which one, I don’t want to get the wrong one. Please help.

  16. Avatar

    Can you give this remedy a few days in a row if needed?

  17. Avatar

    My girl Lani is so terrified by thunder storms she shackles and pants and try to crawl under tables and desk so I am going to try this thank you

  18. Avatar

    Yes my dogs do the same I have to put him in a blanket and pet him and tell them it’s ok. They finally calm down and go to sleep.

  19. Avatar

    I’ve tried everything. Anxious to see if this does the trick. Will definitely give it a “shot”. Thanks for sharing your video.

  20. Avatar

    This is a great post, but Phosphorus did not work for my dog. Neither did another anxiety remedy, Argentum Nitricum. He just went to the bathroom to hide and when I touched him, it felt like he was shaking deep inside.
    The remedy that worked was: Aconitum Napellus. Boiron carries it, it’s the same price as Phosphorus and available at Whole Foods, etc.
    Aconitum worked in less than a minute, and he was able to relax and go to sleep.
    This is a rescue dog, and Aconitume fits the symptoms of an animal who has previous trauma experiences.
    This shows that homeopathy is a very precise medicine, and not all pets (and humans) react the same way to medicines. So even if the cause is apparently the same, the symptoms help indicate which remedy to choose. Always best to have a selection handy.

    • Kelly from Primally Inspired

      Yes, so true, Carole! Phosphorus is generally the first remedy vets try with anxiety for fireworks, but you are right…it’s such a precise and individual medicine and when you have the right one, it works extremely quickly. Thank you for sharing your experience and sharing what worked for you. Very much appreciated!

  21. Avatar

    My male Pitbull is scared of just fireworks. It’s New Year’s Eve and the fireworks have begun. He is sitting on my feet and won’t leave my side.

  22. Avatar

    I’ve never used homeopathy before and was skeptical, but this worked beautifully and quickly for our German Shepherd. Thank you for sharing!

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