How to Calm Your Pet During a Thunderstorm

If you are a pet owner, you know that animals have an amazingly heightened set of senses. This heightened sensitivity can also extend to how they experience extreme weather and why animals are so afraid of thunder and loud noises. First, let's learn the science...

What occurs in pets that cause them to be so fearful?

Animals may feel the electrical volatility on their skin or coat; they may sense the change in barometric pressure; and loud noises can harm the delicate structures of a pet's middle and inner ear. All of these factors may cause pain, but most often your pet may be scared because they simply do not have the capability to understand what thunder or lightning is, and that it will not harm them or anyone they love.

What behaviors do pets exhibit when they are scared, fearful, or when loud noises are hurting their ears? A few may surprise you...

• Trembling

• Hiding

• Following you closely

• Panting or drooling

• Pacing or appearing restless

• Whining, barking or meowing

• Cowering

• Appearing hypervigilant (continuously looking around as if danger is nearby)

• Attempting to escape or chewing on furniture, or their crate

• Constant licking their feet

• Scratching their ears or rubbing their ears against the floor or against furniture

What you can do to comfort your pet? Here are several suggestions all widely used within the Veterinary Industry:

1. Move the dog to an area with the least amount of windows. Shut all curtains, close shutters, and blinds. If the flashing of lightning can still be seen, you may want to cover the window area by taping up dark towels or bedsheets. If the pet is in a crate, you may want to cover the crate but this may cause additional fear since they can not see you.

2. Play comforting music and light a lavender-scented candle or incense prior to and during the storm.

3. Be calm. Although you and your kids may enjoy the excitement that a volatile storm brings, your pet does not. Everyone should be talking calmly, not screaming, or running around the house.

4. Provide close comfort, and cuddle with your pet only if they approach you first. Scared animals have been known to bite in response to being scared, fearful, or in pain.

5. Plan ahead. Thunder and lightning storms do not occur without warning. Create a space that is quiet and away from the busyness of the house ahead of time that includes blankets and favored toys. Place a water bowl next to the area so the pet will not need to venture out when thirsty.

6. If appropriate, use pet CBD or prescription medicine. CBD takes 30-60 minutes to take effect and usually lasts from 7-8 hours. In this specific situation, it is better to use CBD oil. Generally oil takes effect quicker than any other method but there are products specifically made for instances when immediate relief is needed. Continue to give CBD every 7 hours. There have been no known overdoses of pet CBD, therefore administering it more frequently will not be harmful.

Which CBD product should I use? Oils work the quickest and chews that contain ingredients known to increase calmness. WildLifeRx sells both.

• Pet Releaf Hemp Oil 1700 for Dogs

• Pet Releaf Edibites Sweet Potato Regular for Dogs

• Pet Releaf Edibites Sweet Potato Large Breed for Dogs

• ElleVet Calm and Comfort for Dogs

• ElleVet Complete Oil for Dogs

• Joy Organics CBD Oil for Dogs

• Charlotte's Web CBD Oil for Dogs

• Holista Pet CBD Oil for Dogs

• Receptra CBD Oil 16 mg for all pets

• Receptra CBD Oil 25 mg for all pets

• ElleVet Complete Feline Oil for Cats

• Pet Releaf Hemp Oil 330 for Cats and very small Dogs

If you have additional questions, please contact WildLifeRx and ask to speak to a Licensed Veterinary Technician.

*Information taken in part from a 2016 article titled "Help Your Noise Adversed Dogs Through Thunder and Firework Season." written by Dr. Kelly Ballantyne and Dr. Valerie Jonckheer-Sheehy, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Charlotte Figi

From day one, I knew I wanted to introduce you to Charlotte Figi and her remarkable story.

Charlotte was born on October 18, 2006 with a rare form of epilepsy. At the age of 6, she was taking several medications which did very little to reduce her 50 a day seizures. In 2012 her parents learned about a unique strain of CBD produced by ‘The Stanley Brothers’ and drove to Boulder Colorado to purchase it. It was illegal and if caught, they would end up in jail. Within hours after the first dose, Charlotte's seizures stopped and went 30 days before having one. Her life and the lives of those around her were changed. Inspired by Charlotte's transformation, ‘The Stanley Brothers’ changed the name of that strain of CBD to 'Charlotte’s Web'. Dr. Sanjay Gupta wanted to learn more about Cannabis and documented her story on a series called 'Weed' on CNN. He learned that prior to taking CBD, Charlotte could not stand, sit-up or eat food without a feeding tube. Her parents documented these seizures, so violent they left her unresponsive and showed them to the viewing audience and the doctor. The seizures were difficult to watch and the doctor was in disbelief. Charlotte is not completley healed but she is happy. She enjoys doing things that children her age enjoy such as eating pizza, painting and gardening. Immediatley after the documentary aired, the movement to legalize Medical Marijuana began. Dr. Gupta said 'It would be cruel not to allow people this product'. Since Charlotte's began her CBD journey, several states have approved Cannabis-derived products for medical use. Cornell, Harvard and several other research institutions are conducting CBD clinical trials for pets and humans. As of November 2020, the FDA has approved 3 Cannabis-derived medications for epilepsy. Charlotte's story reinforces the importance of innovation and inspires hope to those seeking unconventional options for their health and that is why I wanted to share it.

Charlotte Figi - a friend, painter, gardener - protected by love and cultivated by strength passed away on April 7, 2020. Early in April, she was diagnosed with pneumonia, which left her weak. The seizures returned and she was eventually hospilitized. After several days God decided her message of hope had been heard, and it was finally time for her to rest. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and the medical team that cared for her. What began as her story, became a movement. Her bravery inspired compasssion and placed CBD products in the hands of those that needed them. The medical and legal community continues to research and open doors for those seeking alternative methods. Charlotte has been such an inspiration to me. Her sweet life, filled so many with hope.

I like to imagine Charlotte in a garden chasing butterflies, paint brushes in both of her hands not resting at all, but finally at peace.