Skip to main content

How to help pets fight fireworks anxiety

By Kristi King

WASHINGTON — Fireworks can traumatize pets, but owners can take steps to make sure this Fourth of July is a fun and safe one for their furry friends.

Last Independence Day, the number of dogs at the Prince William County Animal Shelter doubled between the mornings of July 4 and 5.

A pet owner says his Havanese, Moxie “shakes like a leaf” when she encounters loud noises.

“She pants and you can tell she’s just terrified,” says the pet owner who would rather not be named.

Moxie is comforted by being wrapped in a tightly-fitted thunder coat.

Soothing strategies can be used in incremental and increasing combinations depending on how disturbed pets become, says veterinarian Dr. Katy Nelson.

For dogs and cats with average anxiety:

  • Put them in a small, quiet interior room with no windows and bathrooms are ideal because exhaust fans can create white noise.
  • Include water and comfort items such as the pet’s bed and favorite toys.
  • Shut them in with a loving goodbye and a treat. Don’t act sorry or guilty.
  • Remove pets from a quiet room nonchalantly as though it’s no big deal.

Dr. Nelson says pheromone and thunder coats work to calm about half the pets using them. For pets with higher-than-average anxiety, combine a quiet room with:

For severe anxiety when animals become sick or may harm themselves:

  • Consult a veterinarian about anti-anxiety medications.
  • Try out the medication prior to the trigger event to determine appropriate dosage.
  • Try a lower dosage, if a pet appears too dopey or “flattened” by meds.
  • Consult a vet about increasing dose or combining with a second medication, if dosage appears ineffective.
  • Don’t sedate pets. That only creates a sleepy pet that is still traumatized.

Dr. Nelson says pet owners shouldn’t feel as though the “quiet room” is banishing a pet away from an owner’s comfort.

“I think if you look at it that way, then your pet is going to sense that from you,” she says.

Dogs, for example, are den animals.

“They really do like having that safe protected sort of closed-in environment, that’s why kennels are very effective for many dogs that suffer from anxiety. If you have a dog that loves his crate that’s probably the best place for him,” Nelson says.

Also, the “quiet room” doesn’t have to be a bathroom.

“You might have a large walk-in closet, or some other area that you think they might be more comfortable in,” Nelson says.

Also, Nelson stresses that pet owners should not act sad, ashamed or guilty when putting a pet in or taking them out of the “quiet room.”

“If you don’t make a big deal about it then they’re going to feel like: ‘OK, my human isn’t worked up, so I guess is shouldn’t be worked up either,’ and it’ll help them to get through it a lot better,” Nelson says.

Get more information about Fourth of July events and safety tips in the WTOP live blog.

Follow @WTOP and @WTOPliving on Twitter and WTOP on Facebook.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote