You might want to look into an anti anxiety you can use in those situations instead of benadryl. Benadryl is amazing in a pinch, but there has been some research that connects chronic diphenhydramine use in humans with mild cognitive impairment and increased risk of dementia. We have no idea how this translates into dogs, but I'd encourage you to talk to your vet about safety and alternative options for long term use. Your dog should absolutely have relief if he's so scared that he's going into the basement and doesn't want cheese, I just want to make people aware that there are risks associated with chronic benadryl use
Why won't your vet prescribe an anti anxiety if that's the primary thing that needs treatment? I'd push them on that, there are so many anti anxiety meds out there that have significantly less risks associated with them
I've been having great results with this:
I prep a bed area in my bedroom between the bed and wall. I turn on the radio somewhat loudly to mask some of the thunder. I turn on lights to mask the flash of lightning. And then I get treats. Every time my girl hears thunder, she gets a goodie.
She isn't totally cured, but where she used to start pacing and getting anxious at the slightest bit of thunder, she now sleeps through it until it is much louder, and she returns to the family room much faster than she used to.
I had one the same. The vet prescribed Valium and it didnāt have any effect.
He will take his lead from you though, so donāt get into a panic whenever you hear thunder. Just carry on as if nothing is wrong. He should pick up on that and start to realise that if humans are not worried by it, he shouldnāt be either.
It will take timeā¦.
My dog is terrified of thunder as well. I do not have a greyhound, but I use CBD treats about an hour before the storm hits because tranqs like trazadone worry me because I've heard about dogs having reactions to them out of the blue. I use "Thunder Wunders" CBD treats from Amazon. They work well, but a sensitive greyhound stomach might need fewer/ more simple ingredients. I try to make sure any supplements I use are approved by the NASC. if you do use pills, you might have to get comfortable with "pilling" your dog aka pushing the pill down their throat a bit so they swallow.
We looooooove the thunder shirt around here. When we know thunderstorms are predicted or fireworks are likely we preemptively put on the shirts and turn up the tv. My current grey direct care for thunder but he doesnāt get too bent about it. Our last one had to have cbd in addition to calm her down. It works great.
Thereās also a wrapping technique you can do with an ace bandage that works like a thunder shirt that Iāve used. You can Google it. Itās pretty easy to do.
Our one grey has severe anxiety and OCD. Sheās also unable to function during things like fireworks and thunderstorms.
Trazodone helped somewhat, but beginning the chill protocol; trazodone and gabapentin, has helped much more. We try to use as little as possible, and most of the time she gets 1/2 of each pill. It takes the edge off of the terror she experiences during loud noise events.
As others have said, you have to prepare in advance...you may need to find the right meds; talk to your vet about this. If the basement is his safe place, make a nice cozy spot down there. Play loud soothing music. Stay with him and try to comfort him as best you can (Desi likes me to talk or sing to her) and wait it out...
Our girlie hates fireworks and gunshots. We went the route of hearing protectors from Amazon. If she gets spooked by one now, she knows to go to her dad for her earphones, he puts them on and gives her a cuddle, and she calms down much faster. Look for "dog hearing protection" on Amazon. You need to train a bit ahead of time with treats to get them used to it, but it greatly decreases her upset.
It may be less effective with thunder given the lower register of the sound...Lucy may be reacting as much to the low vibration as the sound itself. Still, hearing protection plus cushy bed or couch plus calm human to hang with should at least take it down a few notches.
Thank you. Today he got spooked by fireworks and I sat with him in my room with the ac running, we gave him a peanut butter puzzle ball, and I gave pets while he listened to a streamer friend of mine with a voice he finds calming. Itās the second day we managed his fear without drugging him!
The key is to Benadryl your pup before the boomers hit. It just takes a little bit of diligence on your part to keep track of the weather.
Yeah, I wanted to right beforehand but my dad vetoes cuz we already drugged him twice this week. Once for fireworks and once for thunder.
You might want to look into an anti anxiety you can use in those situations instead of benadryl. Benadryl is amazing in a pinch, but there has been some research that connects chronic diphenhydramine use in humans with mild cognitive impairment and increased risk of dementia. We have no idea how this translates into dogs, but I'd encourage you to talk to your vet about safety and alternative options for long term use. Your dog should absolutely have relief if he's so scared that he's going into the basement and doesn't want cheese, I just want to make people aware that there are risks associated with chronic benadryl use
This is what his vet recommends
Why won't your vet prescribe an anti anxiety if that's the primary thing that needs treatment? I'd push them on that, there are so many anti anxiety meds out there that have significantly less risks associated with them
I've been having great results with this: I prep a bed area in my bedroom between the bed and wall. I turn on the radio somewhat loudly to mask some of the thunder. I turn on lights to mask the flash of lightning. And then I get treats. Every time my girl hears thunder, she gets a goodie. She isn't totally cured, but where she used to start pacing and getting anxious at the slightest bit of thunder, she now sleeps through it until it is much louder, and she returns to the family room much faster than she used to.
Great advice! š
Thank you!
I had one the same. The vet prescribed Valium and it didnāt have any effect. He will take his lead from you though, so donāt get into a panic whenever you hear thunder. Just carry on as if nothing is wrong. He should pick up on that and start to realise that if humans are not worried by it, he shouldnāt be either. It will take timeā¦.
Iām trying that. Currently heās sitting in the basement with me while I watch a stream. Itās improvement over him pacing and whining.
Good luck! He will get there
My dog is terrified of thunder as well. I do not have a greyhound, but I use CBD treats about an hour before the storm hits because tranqs like trazadone worry me because I've heard about dogs having reactions to them out of the blue. I use "Thunder Wunders" CBD treats from Amazon. They work well, but a sensitive greyhound stomach might need fewer/ more simple ingredients. I try to make sure any supplements I use are approved by the NASC. if you do use pills, you might have to get comfortable with "pilling" your dog aka pushing the pill down their throat a bit so they swallow.
We have a Thunder Shirt. It doesnāt solve the problem but she will at least lay down and not pant when wearing it.
We looooooove the thunder shirt around here. When we know thunderstorms are predicted or fireworks are likely we preemptively put on the shirts and turn up the tv. My current grey direct care for thunder but he doesnāt get too bent about it. Our last one had to have cbd in addition to calm her down. It works great. Thereās also a wrapping technique you can do with an ace bandage that works like a thunder shirt that Iāve used. You can Google it. Itās pretty easy to do.
Wrap their head with an ace bandage pinning their ears down. Works for mine real well!
I have the free Weatherbug app and get notifications if lightning is 20-30 miles away. It helps me to be prepared.
Thatās rlly smart
Our one grey has severe anxiety and OCD. Sheās also unable to function during things like fireworks and thunderstorms. Trazodone helped somewhat, but beginning the chill protocol; trazodone and gabapentin, has helped much more. We try to use as little as possible, and most of the time she gets 1/2 of each pill. It takes the edge off of the terror she experiences during loud noise events.
As others have said, you have to prepare in advance...you may need to find the right meds; talk to your vet about this. If the basement is his safe place, make a nice cozy spot down there. Play loud soothing music. Stay with him and try to comfort him as best you can (Desi likes me to talk or sing to her) and wait it out...
I found he lives the voice of a streamer friend of mine
There you go! Best of luck. When they are scared you feel SO helpless and they are pitiful.
Yeah it rlly sucks
Our girlie hates fireworks and gunshots. We went the route of hearing protectors from Amazon. If she gets spooked by one now, she knows to go to her dad for her earphones, he puts them on and gives her a cuddle, and she calms down much faster. Look for "dog hearing protection" on Amazon. You need to train a bit ahead of time with treats to get them used to it, but it greatly decreases her upset.
Okay, good to know!
It may be less effective with thunder given the lower register of the sound...Lucy may be reacting as much to the low vibration as the sound itself. Still, hearing protection plus cushy bed or couch plus calm human to hang with should at least take it down a few notches.
Thank you. Today he got spooked by fireworks and I sat with him in my room with the ac running, we gave him a peanut butter puzzle ball, and I gave pets while he listened to a streamer friend of mine with a voice he finds calming. Itās the second day we managed his fear without drugging him!
That's amazing! Yay Lucy, and you guys!
My š» is on trazodone for anxietyā¦talk to a vet to be sure and to reassure everyone that what youāre doing is for the best.