Anxiety in Dogs During Diwali: Signs and How to Keep Your Dog Calm During Fireworks

Diwali is that time of the year when happiness, lights, and celebrations are everywhere. Sadly, just like candles and fireworks, anxiety in dogs during Diwali is highly common! For them, it is the time for coping with extreme stress and anxiety, which is sometimes caused by firecrackers, the presence of unknown people, and the chaos that ensues. 

As dogs tend to be very aware of their surroundings, any such changes affect them, and the sounds, lights, and throng of people may cause behaviour in them that may seem unusual to the pet parents. 

Signs of Severe Stress and Anxiety in Dogs During Diwali

Dogs exhibit anxiety and stress in a variety of ways. These behaviours can be recognized and immediate relief can be given preventing further escalation. Numerous of the signs of severe anxiety and stress of dogs during Diwali can be found below:

• Pacing, panting and shaking: While cooling off dogs may engage in simple panting, due to anxiety such panting is often mixed in with shaking or shivering even when the weather is cool.
• Excessive barking or howling: Dogs often bark excessively out of anxiety and fear and this is part of their distress and overwhelm.
• Drooling and lip licking: A highly anxious dog may drool or lick its lips incessantly, which is an indication of stress.
• Pacing and restlessness: Pacing Also, the dogs can begin pacing up and down the house appearing restless. They may also stay close to their pet parents, urging their parents for comfort and support.
• Destructive Behaviour: When in a state of separation anxiety, dogs can exhibit destructive behaviours such as chewing furniture, scratching the doors, and destroying things nearby

How to Tell if Your Dog is Anxious or Having Trouble Breathing

It is important to recognise concerning behaviours that are caused by anxiety and signs of breathing problems as they may overlap at times.

• Anxiety-related Panting: This type of panting occurs most often while the dog appears calm otherwise, only reacting with panic to stimuli such as loud festival sounds or fireworks. The panting will come to an end when the threat is gone or when the dog has been soothed.
• Breathing Trouble: Heavy breathing that incorporates the inability to inhale or exhale, accompanied with coughing and wheezing is disturbing if it occurs in respiratory distress. If the panting does not cease even when the surroundings are tranquil, it is best to consult a veterinarian since it may be a sign of some medical issue like heart disease or asthma.

Factors That Cause Anxiety in Dogs During Diwali

There are many factors during Diwali season that can contribute to a dog’s feelings of anxiety and stress. This is the reason why:

• Fireworks and Loud Noises: The ears of dogs are designed to pick even the slightest sounds from a distance which makes fireworks very unbearable. Each blast can startle them, and it can lead to the activations of the fight or flight system.
• Bright, Flashing Lights: Sudden lighting is harsh on dogs eyesight as well. Lighting, as from the fireworks or even Diwali decoration, are very bright and can disorient them.
• Increase in Air Pollution: Airborne particles irritate the respiratory tract in dogs. In particular, dogs breeds who already have issues breathing such as bulldogs and pugs are at high risk.
• Increased Interactions with New People and Activity: With house stays becoming common among people, the welcome of such strangers and the noisy stimulation is appreciated by the dogs’ personal area.
• New Smell, Sounds, and Sights: Sudden change of environment such as smells from incense, burning crackers and hustle of people may provoke confusion and fear.

Tips for Managing Anxiety in Dogs During Diwali

Following are some helpful and practical tips for coping and controlling anxiety in dogs in this festival of lights even though these animals do not appreciate any festivity.

1. Provide a Safe Place

Designate a soft quiet spot for the dog where they can go when anxious or scared. Pick a place that is away from the windows and doors as such places will have a minimum amount of noise and light interference.

Feel free to use a dog blanket, some favourite toys, and your clothing to make this area welcoming. If the dog is used to certain cages, introducing one will also work in creating plush comfort for the pet, which is similar to the plush qualities of a den.

2. Soundproof Your Home

Make sure all the windows are shut and curtains drawn to lessen the impact of sounds. Opt for a few upgrades to make your home soundproof for the next years to come!

Providing calming music that can be played quietly in the background gives relief by reducing the crackling sound of the fireworks.

3. Pressure Wraps or Anxiety Vests

Thundershirt-type wraps known as anxiety vests provide gentle, constant pressure that can help soothe an agitated dog. 

These work particularly well if you put it on the dog before the fireworks begin, as this makes your dog feel safer.

4. Distraction Techniques

Be sure to involve your dog in puzzles, games, physical training, or any other engaging activity since before the celebrations begin. It can help to keep the dog from thinking about the cause of anxiety or fear.

Chewing toys or engaging the dog with feeders filled with puzzles can also help in distracting the dog in a positive way.

5. Exercise Before Diwali Celebrations Begin

Exercises tend to relieve excess energy and therefore will naturally help in calming the dog. For instance, walk your dog or play fetch during the hours of the day when fireworks are likely to start in the evening playing in the yard with the dog in order to calm the dog down by the time of the fireworks.

6. Opt for Calming Supplements for Dogs

Some of the natural products available can have a calming effect on pets, specifically dogs. They include the following:

• Chamomile or Lavender: Aromatherapy with essential oils that dogs can use is quite calming. Check with your vet if it’s safe.
• CBD Oil: CBD oil is known to have a calming effect and may reduce anxiety. However, it is best introduced 3-4 days prior to the onset of Diwali to let your dog get used to its effects. Again, consult a veterinarian before giving it, especially regarding the dosage. 
• L-theanine and L-tryptophan: These are also amino acids that can ease anxiety in dogs. Usually included in calming pet products in the market. 

It is important to note that other swallowing drugs or supplements may produce some degree of sedation hence watch your dog’s reaction intensely. 

7. Offer Support and Consolation

You may position yourself close to your dog and provide comfort by stroking him/her, talking to him/her softly, or sitting next to him/her. Do not, however, overindulge because in certain situations, it may cause anxious behaviour in the dog. 

Besides this, try to maintain your calm and relaxed demeanour as dogs seem to detect their owner’s energy. 

8. Behavioral Modification Methods 

This requires some preparation time! Practise gradual desensitisation towards loud sounds and even thunder. In this case, tape the sound of the fireworks but play them low, and slowly increase the volume over days while giving treats to the dog in order to lessen the association of fear with the loud sound.

Counter conditioning: Instead of focusing on the anxious aspects of the dog, reward calm behaviours when noises start within the environment. Such as giving a treat when they are quiet and not distressed by external noise.

Determining When It is Necessary to Visit a Vet

Suitable action should be taken if the anxiety of a particular case becomes excessive or cannot be dealt with. 

Cases of severe anxiety can be associated with signs –

• Uncontrollable Shivering
• Monotonic Pacing
• Very High Drooling 
• Complete Withdrawal From Food and Water

In some instances, your vet will recommend the use of anti-anxiety medicines which can be a temporary measure for the period of the festival.

Long Term Solution On Dealing With Anxiety in Dogs During Diwali

Even though Diwali comes once in a year, tormented dogs suffering from noise phobia might also need long term advance preparations, options for instance:

• Behavioural Modification Therapy: This type of therapy aids in achieving the goal of doling out a systematic exposure to fearful situations or stimuli at the patient’s pace over a period of time.
• Training the Basics For Dogs On Commands They Find Troublesome: Teaching a dog command words like ‘stay’ and ‘relax’ goes a long way in aiding the dog cope when faced with stressful situations.
• Routine Check-ups: These Veterinary check-ups ensure that the details are put into consideration the encompassed conditions such as respiratory problems and joint pains before the festive season commences.

Final Takeaway for Pet Parents

Your dog’s well-being may be affected by these festive celebrations. Take note of how stress may manifest itself to them and do their best to calm the pets by making the environment stable and friendly. From providing comfort zones and calming sounds to oral products and gentle words, many options can help your dog relax. This time people with pets should be preparing beforehand so that each family member won’t suffer during this festival.