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For dogs that become anxious or nervous whenever they hear loud noises — such as lightning, thunder, fireworks — or dogs that experience anxiety whenever they’re traveling, being groomed, or at the vet, there are a number of simple (and good-smelling) things you can do.
Dog aromatherapy is famous for its calming effect on dogs… and their owners!
Aromatherapy is simply a way to treat lots of dog (and human) problems simply by appealing to the senses.
It has been determined that Essential Oils have aromatherapy properties which are effective with both pets and humans.
Dog Appeasing Pheromones
For dogs with a serious case of anxiety around loud noises — including lightning, thunder, fireworks — consider Pheromones (specifically, DAP — Dog Appeasing Pheromones) “to naturally control and manage pet behavior associated with anxiety, fear, stress or phobias.”
The Pheromones are released into the animal’s environment through a diffuser that plugs into an electrical outlet, delivering 24 hours a day for approximately 30 days for trouble-free treatment. — Farnam Pet Products
This type of pheromone therapy will ease your dog through even the noisiest celebrations or storms.
Other Types Of Aromatherapy
You could also try a standard in-home diffuser and a blend of Essential Oils that will yield the aromatherapy properties that are best for over-anxious dogs. There are several varieties of diffusers to choose from including plug-in types, heat lamps, and even candles that will yield similar results.
For the quickest results, you would want to apply a drop or two of Essential Oils directly onto your dog’s skin, and massage it in.
The trick with using Essential Oils to modify a dog’s mood or behavior is knowing which scent (or combination of scents) is best for the dog’s mood or behavior at the moment.
Tips For Using Aromatherapy To Calm Anxious Dogs
Is Your Dog Stressed?… Here, Sniff This!
Signs of Stress In Dogs
Not sure how to tell if your dog is nervous, anxious or stressed?
Dogs show stress in the following ways:
- clinging to you
- panting, rapid breathing
- pacing back & forth
- shaking or trembling
- hiding behind or underneath objects
- digging or chewing to escape
I like to help Dog Parents find unique ways to do things that will save time & money — so I write about "outside the box" Dog Tips and Dog Hacks that most wouldn't think of. I’m a lifelong dog owner — currently have 2 mixed breed Golden Aussies that we found abandoned on the side of the road as puppies. I've always trained my own dogs and help friends train theirs, as well. Professionally, I worked at a vet and have several friends who are veterinarians — whom I consult with regularly. (And just because I love animals so much, I also worked at a Zoo for awhile!) I've been sharing my best ideas with others by blogging full-time since 1998 (the same year that Google started… and before the days of Facebook and YouTube). My daily motivation is to help first-time dog owners be better prepared from the first day your new puppy enters your home. I like to help dog owners understand what's 'normal' and what you can expect in terms of living with and training your dog — how to get through the ups & downs of potty training, chewing, teaching commands, getting your dog to listen, and everything else that takes place during that hectic first year! When I'm not training, walking, grooming, or making homemade treats for my dogs, you will find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites). To date, I've written over 500 articles for dog owners on this site!
