Pet questions

If there's a thread on this please move me.

I got a dog who can't stand thunderstorms, she's always been like this, she's 14 year old now. The others didn't really mind, had 2 others, now only 1 other. She gets nervous, paces, wants attention. Panting and breathing hard like it's labored, heart races.

We've tried those Thundershirts...HA, Vet gave us pills, just makes her pace slower and lose control...nuff said on that. Another vet said we need to address her fears, whatever that means. She fears thunderstorms, there it's addressed.

I've always felt she senses the barometric drop, not all storms triggers her. Big ones like we have now do and it's not necessarily the sound.

Any suggestions other than knocking her out?

 

Just cuddle her if you’re home. Reassure her. Does she have a crate? If so put her in it w a blanket over it.
Some animals are just more affected than others. I had a service dog that wasn’t scared of gunfire, thunder, sirens. She was good w it all. Had a rescue that was cool w it when service dog was still alive. After we put her down, rescue went nuts during t-storms. So I’m my experience, just being a calming presence makes a huge difference.

 

Never crated our dogs, they have the run of the house. Maybe i'm missing something with this.

 

Zero THC CBD oil

 

Try to act indifferent to the thunder. Dog wants to jump up w you and cuddle, just act normal. South Carolina around this time of year. Every afternoon around 4 you’ll have t storms.

 

We have a terrier who is scared to death of thunder and fireworks. We do all we can to help him out. He likes to cuddle with my wife. When we know storms are coming or there’s going to be fireworks, we get him outside before then. We also make try to sure we’re home when they’re going to happen so he’s not alone.
Some people give Benedryl to dogs to settle them down. Our vet recommended against that. She says we shouldn’t give people meds to pets because they can have bad reactions because for the most part, they’re not made for pets.
As for the vet who told you to address her problem: WTF?
Good luck!

 

Benadryl is fine for dogs. Actually same thing as zzzquil. Just be careful of dosage. Shepherd sized dog, whole Benadryl is fine, small dog, half.

 

That doesn't deter her. She can get destructive also, scratching on the bedroom door even if we're not back there. I've tried the go about normal routine..she still paces and hyperventilates.

She's not really a cuddler, not a lap dog. She use to give the best hugs, if I were sitting in a chair putting on my shoes, she'd jump up and get her front legs around and nuzzle her snot into my stomach. She can't get on her hinds like that now.

Think i'll try the Benadryl, she's about 45-50lbs. Still in good health for 14 years old, arthritis and she just as soon sit on a pillow these days than chase a squirrel but that's ok. She'll snap too when we go out or I get them a treat. She still runs up from the yard when we let them in.

I know I don't have much longer with her but still, always wondered what to do about this.

 

New age vet i guess, probably would want me to get into with my inner dog. woof woof...

 

Do the Benadryl about an hour before storm gets there.

 

We put a vest on our dog when it storms. Sort of calms her down. Kind of like one of these:

 

uh...I know what THC is..what's the rest? How would I apply it?

 

Yeap, she had one. No effect, she ate it. She generally don't eat up things around the house, she ate that and my Gadsden hat. Didn't know she wasn't a patriot.

 

So you have a pet mal. You sir are brave or retired with lots of time.

 

I use the generic version of Zyrtec, works great.

@Moon Puppy, a crate could be a good thing for your dog. A crate is their safe place per say, their domain. Just a thought

 

Funny sort of related story. A very young co worker of mine lives in an apartment, drives a corvette ( only vehicle) and has a malinois as a pet. Hahaha.

 

Ha no, that was just a picture I found of a vest, sort of like the one we have for our chocolate lab.

 

She’s 14 years old. I doubt she’s gonna change. Just love her as much as you can and enjoy your time with her

 

If you go the CBD route its given orally, its drops you can out on food or a treat.

I don't recommend cuddling or reassuring the dog as this only reinforces the unwanted behavior.

 

Yep, she's sacked out for the night on her big fluffy pillow.

 

We had a black lab, still miss her.

 

Live near a military artillery range and Two of mine get skittish when they are training. This works wonders with them.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabidiol


I have read that Benadryl can be tough on a dogs heart.

 

Wow, just found that we have a CBD store right here in little ol' Greenwood SC. Only last year they let people serve beer on the side walk on main street so this stuff must not be so bad (relatively speaking).

Thanks for the tips folks. Gracie says Woof, Woof..you'll know what she means.