Helping Your Pet Stay Calm During Fireworks, Thunderstorms, and Other Stressful Events

For many families, summer celebrations, thunderstorms, and holiday festivities are something to enjoy. Unfortunately, our pets often experience these events very differently. The loud noises, flashing lights, vibrations, and unpredictable nature of fireworks and storms can trigger intense fear and anxiety in dogs and cats.

At Palouse Animal Wellness & Surgery, we see many pets whose anxiety ranges from mild nervousness to full-blown panic. The good news is that there are many ways to help your pet feel safer and more comfortable. With the right combination of training, environmental management, calming products, and medication when appropriate, most pets can experience a significant improvement in their quality of life.

Recognizing the Signs of Anxiety

Not every anxious pet reacts the same way. Some become withdrawn while others become destructive or attempt to escape. Common signs include:

• Pacing or restlessness
• Excessive panting or drooling
• Trembling or shaking
• Hiding under furniture or in closets
• Barking, whining, or vocalizing excessively
• Destructive chewing or scratching at doors and windows
• Trying to escape the home or yard
• Loss of appetite
• Accidents in the house

If your pet experiences any of these signs during stressful events, they may be suffering from noise anxiety.

Start with Training and Behavior Modification

One of the most effective long-term strategies is helping your pet develop positive associations with sounds that normally trigger fear.

This process, called desensitization and counterconditioning, involves gradually exposing your pet to recorded sounds of fireworks or thunderstorms at a very low volume while pairing the experience with treats, playtime, or favorite activities. Over time, the volume is slowly increased as your pet remains relaxed.

Behavior modification takes patience and consistency, so it’s best to begin well before firework season or storm season arrives. Our veterinary team can help determine whether your pet would benefit from working with a professional trainer or veterinary behaviorist.

Create a Safe Haven

When stressful events are expected, prepare a quiet, secure area where your pet can retreat.

Helpful strategies include:

• Close windows and curtains to reduce flashes and outside noise.
• Turn on a television, fan, or white noise machine.
• Provide favorite blankets, toys, or a familiar bed.
• Stay calm yourself—our pets often take emotional cues from us.
• Keep dogs indoors and ensure identification tags and microchip information are current in case they escape.

Never punish fearful behavior. Your pet isn’t being stubborn—they’re experiencing genuine fear.

Consider Calming Products

Many pets benefit from non-prescription calming aids, especially when used before anxiety escalates.

One product we frequently recommend is ThunderEase®, which uses a calming pheromone designed to help reduce stress in dogs. ThunderEase is available in several forms, including:

• Diffusers
• Collars
• Sprays
• Calming wipes

These products can be especially helpful for pets with mild to moderate anxiety and are often used alongside behavioral training.

Other pets may benefit from anxiety wraps or pressure garments, such as ThunderShirts, which provide gentle, constant pressure that can have a calming effect.

While these products don’t work for every pet, they are safe options worth discussing with your veterinarian.

Sometimes Medication Is the Best Option

For pets with severe anxiety, calming supplements alone simply aren’t enough.

Modern veterinary medicine offers several safe and effective medications that can dramatically reduce fear during fireworks, thunderstorms, travel, veterinary visits, or other stressful situations.

These medications are not intended to “knock your pet out.” Instead, they help reduce the panic response so your pet can remain calmer and more comfortable.

Some medications are given only during specific stressful events, while others are prescribed daily for pets with chronic anxiety disorders.

Every pet is different, which is why it’s important to work with your veterinarian to determine the safest and most effective treatment plan. Never give human anti-anxiety medications without veterinary guidance.

Don’t Wait Until the Fireworks Begin

One of the biggest mistakes we see is waiting until the fireworks have already started before seeking help.

Many anxiety medications work best when administered before the stressful event begins. Likewise, behavioral training requires weeks or months to produce lasting results.

If your pet has struggled in the past, now is the perfect time to develop a plan before the next thunderstorm or holiday celebration.

We’re Here to Help

Anxiety isn’t simply a behavioral issue—it’s a medical condition that can significantly affect your pet’s health and well-being.

If your dog or cat becomes fearful during fireworks, thunderstorms, travel, or other stressful situations, we’d love to help. Together, we can develop a personalized plan that may include behavior modification, environmental changes, calming products like ThunderEase®, nutritional supplements, or prescription medications.

Our goal is simple: helping your pet feel safe, comfortable, and confident throughout every season of the year.

If you have questions about your pet’s anxiety or would like to schedule a consultation, contact the team at Palouse Animal Wellness & Surgery. We’re committed to helping every pet live a happier, less stressful life.

Dr. Katherine Miller, DVM 

Palouse Animal Wellness and Surgery