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Summer’s ‘thunder’ can be a nightmare for pets and their owners

I love warm weather, but I dread it in the same breath. Spring and summer can equal thunder. Holidays can equal fireworks.

For many pets and their humans, this is a tough time of year. Loud noises and the unfamiliar flash of bright lights startle some pets and terrify others.

Some experts think it’s because they are fearful of the unknown and what is more unknown to a dog than a loud noise or flash of bright light. Even a camera flash could set off our late Golden boy, Milo, while Hope can sense a storm coming from miles away with pants and frantic glances.

Once storm and fireworks season arrives, my husband and I will barricade ourselves in our home with all the lights on, fans and air conditioners running, windows closed and TV blaring.

I’ll even do little karaoke versions of songs and silly dances to try and show the frightened pets there is nothing to be afraid of. (Sadly, I think the singing and dancing might frighten them more…)

There are many helpful tips out there to ease a dog’s (and even a frightened cat’s) pain. Yes, we have two cats who are not fond of fireworks or thunder. Odilia is our blind cat. She simply cannot locate the source of the noise which is quite frightening to her.

Instead of babying your pets with sweet talk, consider using an authoritative voice projecting confidence. If you baby your pet, (I’ve learned the hard way), they reciprocate with a strong dependent behavior like whining, crying, shaking and clinging.

A confident voice helps with many of these symptoms but often does not stop ours from shaking or trying to hide under tables, etc.

Pets will instinctively seek shelter from impending doom of the unknown. If they feel safer in their own crate (not locked in) or under a table or blanket, let them be.

Using a Thunder Shirt or close- fitting wrap around their body will also provide an instinctual sense of protection (that they used to get from their mother in the proverbial den).

Proper ID on your pet is important for those pets that have a tendency to flip out and seek shelter “anywhere,” including out the door and out of the yard. More dogs are lost during fireworks than any other time. Remember, they have a built-in protection system that tells them to “seek safety” wherever they can find it.

There are some other summer precautions you should take, not related to the loud booms.

This is also a good time to keep human foods away from an already nervous dog — so many delectable picnic foods will easily upset a dog’s intestinal tract.

Ignore the puppy dog eyes and know that keeping such foods from Fido is much more beneficial for them.

Another tip I find helpful is keeping citronella candles out of a dog’s reach. The fumes can be toxic to their nervous system.

Other items to consider that often go unnoticed that are a no-no include hand-held fireworks, glow sticks and jewelry, onions and garlic, matches, lighter fluid, non-pet-approved sunscreen and insect repellent and alcohol.

Use common sense and share these tips with your pet-loving friends. Your pets (and, theirs) will thank you for it.

For professional advice and more safety tips, always contact your veterinarian.

Amy J. Hanna-Eckenrode is the author of “Have Dog Will Blog,” editor of the Central PA Pets magazine and director of the Central PA Pet Expo. She can be contacted at

ahanna@altoonamirror.com or by mail: Paws and Reflect, c/o Amy J. Hanna-Eckenrode, Altoona Mirror, 301 Cayuga Ave., Altoona, PA 16602.

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