By admin 
With monsoon season comes chances for big storms, which can be scary for our furry friends and other animals.
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The Arizona Humane Society offers a variety of tips and ideas to stay prepared before the heavy rain falls, the wind howls and the thunder rumbles.
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AHS’s Behavior and Training Team recommends the following tips to help keep your animals safe and comfortable:
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- Never punish pets for showing fearful or anxious behavior. Act calm and interact with them like you usually would to show them a storm is “no big deal.”
- Create positive associations with storms by giving their favorite treats, toys and verbal praise for calm behavior during a storm. Start as early as possible during puppy and kittenhood and continue reinforcing this throughout their lives. Some pets may be unaffected for years and then develop storm anxiety symptoms.
- Help desensitize pets to storms by playing a thunderstorm CD or music tracks found online at low volume during happy times, like eating and playing. Gradually increase the volume over time.
- Create a safe space. It could be a crate or a closet. Ensure proper ventilation and access to their space when you’re not home.
- Tire them out. Use obedience classes and daily exercise to help reduce anxiety.
- Drown out the noise by turning on the TV or radio and bathroom fans. Some pets will take comfort in repetitive, familiar sounds like dishwashers or washing machines.
- Reduce the impact of lightning flashes by closing blinds and turning on both inside and outside lights.
- Use calming tools like a Thundershirt or pheromones (available for dogs and cats).
- Always consult with your veterinarian or behaviorist. Some pets have such severe anxiety that medication is needed to keep them safe.
- Make sure your pet is microchipped, wearing a collar and is kept indoors. If they must go outside to potty, attach a harness and leash and go out with them.