Quell your dog’s fireworks anxiety

Keep your dog inside during Fourth of July fireworks shows.

Quell your dog’s fireworks anxiety

While the Fourth of July is a blast for us humans, not so much for our dogs – many of whom suffer from severe anxiety thanks to fireworks displays.

Dr. Kendra Bettis Scheibe, veterinarian and lead formulator for Just Food for Dogs (JFFD), offers tips for reducing anxiety for your dog.

• Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise earlier in the day.
• Keep your dogs inside, preferably with human companionship, and turn on the air conditioning (if you don’t have air conditioning, invest in a fan).
• Don’t bring your dog to a fireworks show – even one in your neighborhood.
• Put your dog in a smaller space (such as a bathroom or den) farthest away from the action. If your dog is comfortable in a crate, use it.
• Leave toys for your dog.
• Play comforting sounds. “Through a Dog’s Ear” has been specifically designed to reduce canine anxiety. If you don’t have access to that, play easy instrumental music at a low level.

Just Food for Dogs is expanding beyond its Los Angeles and Orange County footprint as it opens its first storefront in the San Diego area. This July 3, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., general manager Shawn Foster and one of JFFD’s top nutrition consultants will be on site at the new storefront in Del Mar Highlands Town Center (adjacent to Starbucks) to educate the public on the canine supplement CALM – what it is and how effective it is in reducing anxiety for dogs (and people). They will be giving away free CALM sample bags along with treats and general information about JFFD food.

These supplements for dogs are specially formulated by a board-certified veterinarian. No pharmaceuticals are involved – the supplement is a natural solution with valerian roots and passionflower as the key ingredients.