Fireworks and thunderstorms are responsible for countless reports of lost animals.  Even if fireworks are prohibited in your neighborhood many people disregard the law and set off illegal fireworks.  Many people are left with few choices such as medicating and sedating their panicked animals.

Are there other options?    We think so!

Here are a few tips to help ease your anxious dog:

Before we go any further I have to ask…

Does your pet have proper ID tags or a microchip with current information?

It’s also a good idea to have a current color photo of your animal just in case they get out.  Always check with your vet first before administering any new remedies or treatments.

1.  Try a natural stress reliever such as Rescue Remedy for at least a few days before a stressful event.  This can be a move to a new home, visitors arriving, going to the veterinarian’s office, anything that sparks anxiety with your animal.

A few drops massaged onto inside of ear flap is a good way to administer…

Although the directions may say to put a few drops in their water I prefer to place a few drops on my fingertip and massage gently onto the inside of the ear flap.  Be careful not to allow any to drip down the ear canal.  Speak in a low, soothing voice with calm energy.  You can also try a massaging a few drops onto the pads of their feet.

A natural stress reliever for animals

2. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise before a stressful event.  Taking your dog out for a long and vigorous walk will help drain them of excess energy and restlessness.

Did you know that coddling your dog when they are exhibiting fearful behavior can actually accelerate their fear?

Never reward your dog when they are in a panicked state of mind.  Try not to let them get into that raised level of anxiousness in the first place.

3. Teach your dog a ‘calm down’ command such as ‘easy’ or ‘leave it’.  Over time they will begin to figure out that when you give that command they need to stay calm and relaxed.

Dogs need guidance and instruction…they can’t learn how to stay calm on their own

4.  Play a CD or DVD of thunderstorm noises or firework celebrations on the lowest volume level possible  with your animals nearby.  Reward them with praise, treats and calm energy as they begin to hear the sounds.  Gradually increase the volume over time.   

Praise and reward them for calm behavior…

Proceed slowly, some animals may require more time to adjust. Be patient and consistent with your training.

Try playing something like this:

5. Bring your dog inside if possible.  Close all doors, windows and curtains and consider turning on the TV or radio to help drown out some of the outside noise.

If you can’t be with them try to arrange for a friend or neighbor to be with them…

6.  If possible, stay with your dog during fireworks or thunderstorms.  You become their calm and relaxed role model.  If you can’t be with them consider placing them in a safe and trusted boarding facility or with a trusted friend.  Set up a networking plan with your neighbors in case you can’t be home.

How To Help Your Cat During Stressful Events

Cats may need a quiet place to hide in during thunderstorms or other noisy events.  Consider putting your cat in a guest room with a litter box, food and water during these times.

Cats also benefit from Rescue Remedy during stressful times…

If you close the door, put a note on the outside of the door warning anyone who enters that a very scared cat is in the room and keep the door closed.  Playing soft, low music in that room can help ease your cat’s fears.  Place a towel or article of clothing that has your scent on it near them to give them an extra feeling of security.

Don’t become one of the statistics for lost animals.  Prepare now and avoid heartbreak later.

If you are lucky enough to have cats and not have a litter box issue, consider yourself blessed.  I get more calls and emails about litter box issues than just about every other behavior problem combined.   

There is no magic cure to get kitty back in the litter box and just because I can ‘talk’ to them does not mean they will suddenly start using the box.  It has happened, but only on rare occasions.  

Refusing to use a litter box is completely different from territorial spraying or marking. When a cat backs up to a vertical surface such as a wall, corner, piece of furniture, etc. and releases a stream of urine it is called spraying.  I’ll cover spraying issues another time.

Improper litter box elimination, whether it is urinating or defecating outside of the litter box, is usually done on a horizontal surface such as the floor, tile, carpet, bed, counter top, etc. If you are experiencing a litter box problem the first thing you have to do is rule out any kind of medical issue.

The first and most important step is to rule out a medical problem…

Get a thorough check up and rule out any types of bladder issues, infections, constipation or urinary blockages.  If a cat experiences any kind of pain during elimination, they may associate the litter box as a source of their pain, and avoid the box completely.

Stress is the most common source of litter box troubles

Stress is a common underlying problem with litter box issues.  Stress can come from you, your family, your other animals, a job change, moving, a new baby, etc.  Rule out any potential areas of stress in your environment. Create a relaxed, balanced and peaceful space for your cat.

Let’s go over a few helpful tips

• Number of Litter boxes-The Golden Rule is 1 box per cat plus one box.  So if you have 2 cats you should ideally have 3 boxes.
• Litter Box location-Placing kitty’s box in a high traffic area, laundry room, or other noise inducing area is a recipe for disaster.  I had one cat tell me she would not go in the litter box because the ‘loud, scary monster’ was going to attack her.  Turned out the litter box was in the laundry room and the cat had been in there using the box when the loud buzzer when off.  Choose a quiet, safe location that does not have a lot of distractions or noises.
• Basement litter boxes- Ladies, help me out here.  Have you ever been out in public, had to use the restroom and realized you had to walk a mile to get to the nearest one? By the time you arrive you are ready to burst.  If you have placed your litter box in the furthest spot away from everyone …in the last room in the basement, be prepared to have your cat choose a closer spot to go potty.  Trust me here, they will choose a sink, bathtub, corner, planter, you name it.  Just don’t make them walk so far to get to the litter box.
• Litter- This is really tricky.  Some cats tell me that they like the finest, softest grade of litter, which explains why they like to go on clothing, carpets and other soft spots.  Choose a high quality, fine grade litter. Each cat is different, however so I suggest giving them choices.  Let them choose.  Fill one box with one brand and another box with the other brand.  See what brand they like best.
• No Litter- What? No litter? Yup, that’s right, I have actually had successes with cats who were using shiny surfaces as a litter box, such as a sink, bathtub, counter top, etc…start to use an empty litter box placed near the spot they were using.  Try it.  It just might work.  Then each day move the box a bit closer to where you ultimately want it.
• Place Box Near Area - Another trick is to place a litter box near the area they are using as their favorite spot.  Slowly over time move the box closer to where you ultimately want it.
• Deodorizers- Some cats like them, some cats don’t.  Cats have 60-to-80 million olfactory cells compared to a humans 5-to-20 million cells.  That’s huge.  Consider switching to odorless if you are having a problem getting kitty to go in the box.
• Covered Litter Boxes- To cover, or not to cover, that is the question.  I say give them a choice.  Cats like to change their minds and what they like today they may not like tomorrow.  Give them a covered box and and uncovered box.  Why not!
• Cleanliness- Okay, let’s be honest. When is the last time you cleaned and really disinfected your litter boxes? Just do it.  Once a month is my recommendation.
• One Stop Shopping -  Again ladies, I need your help here.  I don’t know about you but when I go shopping I want to get as many items in one place as possible.  I don’t like going all over town to run my errands.  Cats can feel the same way too.  Give them more than one reason to go to their box. Placing a scratching post near the area where the box is, placing food or water near the area, (Not too close), make this a one stop location for all your kitty’s needs.
• Eliminating Odors- I have tried just about every cleaning product and enzymatic powder on the market and right now I really like SCOE.  I’ve tried Nature’s Miracle, Anti-Icky poo, Planet Urine, etc.  The SCOE with several applications even got out some old and heavily stained problem areas.

Schedule a session…

A session can always help find out what the problem is, if someone or something is bothering your cat.  In past sessions it has been everything from a medical condition to other companion cats attacking them in the box, to a dislike of the new boyfriend.  You name it, I have heard it.

“Why is kitty going potty in my $400 Nordstrom shoes?”

I had a session one time where a woman called because her husband’s cat was using her expensive shoes as a litter box.  The cat did not potty on her $20 discount shoes, but aimed for the high end stuff.  When I connected with the cat she told me she didn’t like it when mommy and that man locked her out of the her bedroom. 

When I asked the kitty, “Do you mean your daddy locks you out of your room? “

The cat replied, “That man is not my daddy…”

“Oh my,” I said, a bit surprised.  “I will be sure to let your mommy know.”

I tried as delicately as I could to deliver that message. There was an abrupt silence on the other end of the phone as I explained what the cat said.  I never heard from that client again. 

Don’t give up…

This is a temporary problem.  This is not permanent.  Think positive.  Don’t give up.  Approach your situation with a neutral outlook.  Some kitties tell me they ‘like the attention they get‘…even if it’s negative attention.

Never punish a cat for any reason…

Never punish a cat for any reason, especially a litter box issue.  You will confuse the cat even more and make them fearful of you.

Picture them using the litter box every time.  Tell them in your mind our out loud that you really need them to use their box every time.  Tell your cat the new rules in the them those are the new rules in the house.

Finally, if you are beyond frustrated and nothing I have listed above has worked, consider a ‘Litter box 101 Boot Camp’ for your cat.  I have had success in some cases where the cat is confined to a smaller area with a litter box for a short period of time.  Once the cat starts using the box, they are allowed to venture out into the rest of the house.

There are so many things that could be causing your cat to stop using their box.  Scheduling a session and getting to the bottom of it is always helpful.

Schedule a session here:

I’d love to hear your success stories…Offer your experience below in COMMENTS

I bid you peace and abundance.

Karen Anderson~Animal Communicator

If you have an aggressive dog it is important to know there is help available.

Dogs display different levels of aggression and the following video demonstrates how this can be  measured.

The video has Cesar Millan in it but he is not the handler in this case. Troy, a German Shepherd is taken through a series of exercises by another handler who specializes in dog aggression.

There is help out there for you.  Find a professional near you who specializes in dog aggression.

Here are a couple links to get you started.  You can always ask your veterinarian for referrals as well.

http://www.dogtrainersdirectory.com/index.html

http://www.nextdaypets.com/directory/dogs/website_directory/dog_training.aspx

Working with a qualified trainer and finding out how your dog views the situation can increase your odds for resolving an aggression issue.  Schedule your appointment now with my online scheduler located on the CONSULTATIONS page of my website www.KarenAnderson.net

https://www.appointmentquest.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EmbeddedDesktop.woa/3052/wa/2100029525

I bid you peace,

Karen Anderson