The lights! The sounds! The smells! The holidays are great fun for everyone, aren’t they? Well, maybe not quite everyone. For some dogs the holidays can be quite overwhelming. Christmas anxiety in dogs is common and there are things you can do to help your dog to be more calm through the hustle and bustle.
What Causes Christmas Anxiety In Dogs?
Christmas time is full of spectacular sounds – family, crowds, music, etc. Sounds designed for human enjoyment. Now that dogs have become a part of the family, they are being introduced to more and more of these sounds. Strangers, loud music and voices, loud movies, and loud video games can all lead to Christmas anxiety in dogs.
A dog’s hearing is geared towards being able to hear small prey in the wilderness. They can hear sounds as high pitched as 47,000 to 67,000 hz whereas humans can only hear about 20,000 hz (source). They can also hear sounds that are quieter than humans can hear. Human hearing can only grasp sounds that are as quiet as 0 dB. Dogs can hear sounds as quiet as -15 dB. This means that loud sounds have a bigger impact on a dog’s hearing than a human’s hearing.
Signs & Symptoms To Watch For
Christmas anxiety in dogs may be subtle or it could be very well marked by your dog’s behavior. Some signs that your dog could be suffering from Christmas anxiety in dogs are (source):
- Panting
- Aggression
- Excessive barking
- Pacing
- Restlessness
- Urinating or defecating inappropriately
- Depression
- Destructive behavior
This is not a comprehensive list. If you are concerned for your dog’s health, please contact your veterinarian.
Calming Your Dog This Holiday Season
Medication isn’t the only solution to Christmas anxiety in dogs. There are a few steps that you can take to make things better for your favorite pup during the holiday season.
- Create a Safe Space
Give your dog a space in your home that is safe and quiet. No guests allowed! No one comes in or out of that space except for your dog. You could have gentle music playing or a quiet tv going in the space to create some white noise for your dog. - Get Those Walks In
Routine is super important to dogs! Keeping up with the normal schedule for walks and other exercise can help reduce stress and Christmas anxiety in dogs quite a bit. In fact, on days that will be more stressful make sure to get in extra walk. - Use Dog Earplugs
When noise is the problem – go right to the source. CrittEar Calm dog earplugs can buffer down loud noises to the level of a quiet conversation. Reducing the amount of sound your dog can hear will produce a sense of calm for your dog. They can be used in conjunction with the suggestions above.
Calming Your Dog This Holiday Season
Like it or not, New Year’s eve is coming. Christmas anxiety in dogs tends to spread all the way into the New Year because of all of those big booms on New Year’s Eve. Have no fear, we’ve got you covered. CrittEar Calm is available in a convenient 3-pack. That way your dog will be ready with a pair to wear, a pair to wash (washing is easy), and a pair to keep with you for on-the-go noises. Have a very merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a spectacular new year!
