animatesnz | INSTAGRAM | JUL 04

Thunder, lightning and rain...oh my! ๐Ÿ˜ฑ Stormy weather in winter can be distressing for our furry friends. Hereโ€™s 5 tips to help calm your pooch during a storm: ๐Ÿ’› ๐’๐š๐Ÿ๐ž ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐š๐œ๐ž: Set up a cosy and secure area for your dog to retreat to during storms. This can be a quiet room with their bed, favourite toys, and familiar scents. Make sure it's away from windows and external noise to minimise anxiety. ๐Ÿ’› ๐”๐ฌ๐ž ๐€๐๐š๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐ฅ: Adaptil is a pheromone product that helps reduce anxiety and create a reassuring environment for dogs during stressful times, like storms. ๐Ÿ’› ๐“๐ซ๐ฒ ๐š ๐“๐ก๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ซ๐ญ: Thundershirts are snug-fitting garments that apply gentle, constant pressure around your dog's torso for a calming effect. Just like swaddling a baby, this gentle pressure provides a sense of security and comfort in dogs, making them feel more relaxed. ๐Ÿ’› ๐’๐ญ๐š๐ฒ ๐œ๐š๐ฅ๐ฆ: Dogs can pick up on their owner's emotions. Stay calm and provide reassurance to your dog during storms. Speak in a soothing tone and offer gentle pats or cuddles if they seek comfort from you. ๐Ÿ’› ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ž ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐š๐œ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ: Engage your dog with interactive toys or puzzle feeders during storms to redirect their focus. This can help take their mind off the loud noises and provide mental stimulation to reduce anxiety. Remember, each dog is unique, and it may take some trial and error to find the most effective calming techniques for your furry friend. If you are concerned about your dogโ€™s anxiety, book an appointment at your local Animates Vetcare clinic.