Using Adaptil to Help Your Dog Stay Calm This Summer!

Summer is synonymous with summer fun, family outings…and, all too often, terrified and even lost dogs thanks to the alarming sounds of fireworks and thunderstorms.

More pets go missing on Independence Day due to fear that sends them bolting. That fear is also triggered by many of summer’s other frights: thunderstorms, an incoming tropical storm, the sound of gunfire (in preparation for fall hunting, target practice increases during late summer), and even summer guests.

This post is sponsored by CEVA Animal Health, makers of ADAPTIL^® for dogs. All statements and opinions are entirely our own. As always, we only share products that we use with our own pets!

Pheromones are a great way to help your dog deal with the stresses of summer–without resorting to medication. ADAPTIL^® for dogs products (available as a spray, diffuser and collar) copies the natural, canine-appeasing pheromone that dogs have known since birth. According to ADAPTIL^®:

Mother dogs naturally emit a scent to their puppies known as the dog appeasing pheromone. These “comforting messages” are a strong signal of security and comfort to puppies as they face new challenges. ADAPTIL^® mimics the natural pheromone and is clinically proven to reduce signs of stress in puppies and adult dogs that leads to unwanted stress-related behaviors.

There might be no better time for that “comforting message” (that’s odorless to humans and has no impact on humans or cats) than July. We know that Tiki doesn’t like fireworks but this is Barli’s first Fourth of July with us (actually his first Fourth of July on Earth!) so we’re unsure how he’s going to handle the sound of fireworks–but we do know how we’re going to handle the potential stress before it ever begins.

Be Prepared

Rather than reducing the stress once it starts, it’s important to keep your dog calm before the stress ever has a chance to build up. We recently told you about the ADAPTIL® Calm On-The-Go Collar that Barli wears for car travel and hotel stays; it’s also a great way to keep him calm throughout thunderstorm and fireworks season–because we all know that fireworks don’t just happen on the night of July 4th! With the holiday falling on a Wednesday, I’m anticipating fireworks through the weekend.

Rather than running the risk of him becoming frightened then trying to calm him down, Barli will be wearing his ADAPTIL^® Calm On-The-Go Collar throughout. The collar lasts for four weeks. The collar comes in two sizes; Barli wears a M-L which is a little bit long on him so I trimmed it to the proper length–then I sewed the leftover portion inside a favorite plush toy of his, an additional way to help calm him during this tense time.

Stay Away from Triggering Situations

We recently saw a discussion on a neighborhood forum about dog-friendly fireworks displays. Now, we don’t know the person–or their dog–so there’s a possibility that perhaps their dog is oblivious to fireworks…but that would certainly be the exception. It’s far safer to stay away from fireworks displays with your dog; if you must attend, please hire a pet sitter to come to your home and let your dog stay home indoors and safely secured. Plug in an ADAPTIL^® Calm Home Diffuser, the clinically-proven, veterinarian-recommended diffuser and let your dog chill out at home while you watch the fireworks. (If your dog is wearing the ADAPTIL^® Calm On-The-Go Collar, it’s fine to also use the ADAPTIL^® Calm Home Diffuser.)

Drown Out the Sounds

On July 4th, we’ll be watching a movie with the volume up, a technique we also use during thunderstorms. We have known dog families whose houses are adjacent to fireworks displays and who have to load up their dogs and either head to a hotel or just drive around with the radio playing until the fireworks are done. ADAPTIL^® Travel Spray is a great option to use either in the car or at the hotel. Spray a Nuzzle Buddy, a favorite toy, or a doggie bandana; never spray it directly on your dog.

Stay Calm and Enjoy Summer

Before the fireworks begin–or before the next thunderstorm or tropical storm–I’m going to do my best to take a deep breath and stay calm myself. Whether we’re experiencing irritation over nearby fireworks or apprehension over an incoming storm, dogs can read our moods. Knowing that I’ve taken steps with ADAPTIL^® to keep Barli and Tiki calm, I can relax and enjoy the season.

Paris Permenter

Paris Permenter is the award-winning co-author, with John Bigley, of over 30 pet and travel books including The Healthy Hound Cookbook and Texas with Dogs, both available through Simon and Schuster. Paris is also a member of the Dog Writers Association of America.

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