Fireworks: Natural Remedies For Pet Anxiety
- Everwell Pets
- Jun 24
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 27
7 Tips For Alleviating Stress & Creating A Soothing Environment During The Holiday
It's that time of year again—when the skies light up with patriotic sparkle and, depending on where you live, the celebratory booms can spiral into a symphony of stress for our pets (and some of us humans too). The tried-and-true tips can help you and your four-legged friend find peace and solitude while observing the holiday.
1. Create a Safe Space (a.k.a. Home Base for Hiding):
Your dog’s version of a bunker might be the guest bathroom, the closet under the stairs, or that weird nook behind the couch. Wherever it is, embrace it. Load it up with their bed, a few blankets, some favorite toys, and leave it alone so they can retreat when needed. Now is not the time to reinvent the wheel by trying out a new “quiet space.”
2. Mask the Noise:
Soothing sound can make a huge difference. Play calming music or white noise to help drown out the booms—but skip leaving the TV on for hours. There’s no need to flood the room with blue light while your dog’s trying to relax. Aim for audio-only if possible; just a speaker and a good playlist will do the trick.
Some folks like the “Through A Dog’s Ear” soundtracks (available on Spotify or Amazon), but anything mellow and consistent can help. Classical music, ambient nature sounds, or low rhythmic tones all work well. The key is to start the background noise early—hours before sundown—so it becomes a baseline before the chaos starts. And don’t forget the basics: potty break before dusk and window shades drawn to soften those flashy bursts of light.
3. Harness Calming Tools:
This is where we mix science with a little zen. Essential oils like lavender, Roman chamomile, and vetiver can help ease nervous tension in dogs—but quality, dilution, and proper application are key. Thankfully, Dr. Janet Roark—affectionately known as The Essential Oil Vet—has laid out safe and effective protocols for using oils with pets.
A few tips from Dr. Roark’s approach:
Always choose therapeutic-grade oils from reputable companies like Young Living, Doterra or Revive. No dollar-store oils here—cheap fillers can do more harm than good.
Dilute properly—for dogs, that’s usually 1 drop of essential oil per 50 drops of carrier oil like fractionated coconut or jojoba oil.
Application matters: Diffusing oils in a well-ventilated room is the gentlest starting point. You can also apply diluted oils via a spray bottle to your dog’s bedding or dilute them in your hands and pet them on your pet's chest or behind their ears.
Avoid direct application to their nose, paws, or inside ears. These areas are too sensitive.
Less is more—start low and slow. Watch your dog’s response. If they leave the room, take that as a “no thank you.” If they settle in and sigh, you’ve found a winner.
Dr. Roark’s Calm Dog diffuser blend is a client favorite:
3 drops Lavender
2 drops Roman Chamomile
1 drop Vetiver
Let it run for 20–30 minutes before the fireworks start and see if your pup doesn’t melt into the dog bed like butter.
Other calming aids worth exploring:
Anxiety wraps (like the Thundershirt)
Pheromone diffusers (Adaptil is a popular brand) Go with a collar rather than the plug in
L-Theanine supplements like Finn or VetriScience Composure. Watch all those inactive ingredients.
CBD—but source matters, so ask if you need help finding clean, full-spectrum products
Rescue Remedy or Formula 303 for more natural support
4. Don’t Forget Homeopathy:
Homeopathy is one of my favorite gentle tools for times like these. It’s a natural system of medicine that works with the body’s own healing ability by using highly diluted substances to stimulate balance. It’s been around for centuries (twice as long as pharmaceutical drugs)—used safely for people, pets, and even plants—and it’s especially wonderful for anxiety, fear, and trauma-related triggers. No harsh side effects, no synthetic fillers—just clean, vibrational medicine doing its thing.
A favorite blend I often recommend during fireworks season is what I call the AAA combo:
Arsenicum album 200C
Aconitum napellus 200C
Argentum nitricum 200C
You can snag these remedies at your local natural foods store or grab them online—Boiron is the most common brand you'll see, but other reputable names work just fine. Simply drop 3 pellets of each remedy into a 2 oz amber bottle, fill the rest with distilled water, and let them dissolve. Voilà! You’ve got yourself a powerful little homeopathic blend. One dropper is one dose. Start with a dose in the morning (about 20 minutes before or after food), then again at lunch and dinner. And if the fireworks are ramping up? Feel free to give a few extra doses between dinner and bedtime for added support. This blend can seriously take the edge off—for both dogs and their people. I’ve had clients swear it turned their panicked pup into a Zen master. And at just around $30 total? It’s one of the most affordable, effective tools you can keep in your natural care kit—and one bottle will last you forever.
5. Move That Body:
A tired dog is a calm dog. Start the day with a long walk, fetch session, or some FitPaws work if you’re fancy like that. Use snuffle mats or puzzle feeders to work their brains too. The more they burn off, the less steam they’ll build up when the chaos begins.
6. Keep Yourself Calm:
They’re watching you, you know. If you're pacing the floor, wringing your hands, or muttering "I hate fireworks" under your breath, they’ll feel it. Take a breath. Maybe three. Put on your own calming playlist if needed. They’ll take their cue from you.
7. Or… Consider Relocating:
No shame in packing up and heading to the mountains or somewhere quiet if it’s an option. The sound doesn’t follow you if you’re 40 miles from the nearest backyard explosion.
If your dog’s anxiety is severe—or if none of this seems to help—it might be time to add some one-on-one strategy. Reach out. I’m happy to help you figure out what will best support your unique pup.
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Citations:
1. Roark, J. (2023). Essential Oils for Pets: A Veterinarian’s Guide to a Safe and Natural Approach. Retrieved from www.essentialoilvet.com
2. Roark, J. (2022). “Calming Dogs Naturally with Essential Oils.” The Essential Oil Vet (Facebook).
3. Boiron USA. Homeopathic Remedies for Pets. Available at www.boironusa.com