Ear plugs for dogs (and horses).

[Hermein]

The July 4th noise is soon to be with us. My elder dog is terrified of the booms and blasts. Are there good commercial ear plugs that work for dogs? Is their a brand that you think is superior?

My elder horse also goes nuts with all the noise. Any favorites for horses?

[S1969]

I can’t imagine a dog tolerating ear plugs, but I guess you can try. I think most would shake them out immediately…I’ll be curious to hear if anyone makes this work.

My vet thinks that dogs actually feel thunder in the distance through ground vibrations, so not sure it would help that much to plug their ears. I imagine they can feel fireworks too. My dogs don’t like them either; I crate them and cover it.

[Sswor]

http://www.safeandsoundpets.com/index.html

Mutt muffs. They work, but not cheap. But for an older dog with fireworks anxiety, likely worth every penny.

I hate fireworks. National dog torture day. Hate it hate it hate it.

Good luck, OP.

[Hermein]

Thanks very much. They look like ear bras.

I also despise fireworks. We live in Idiot Central where the residents regularly fire guns straight up into the air to celebrate the suspension of the laws of gravity for July 4, New Years Eve, high school graduation, etc. The fireworks generally start around July 1st and don’t stop until July 10.

[trubandloki]

Have you tried a Thunder Shirt? No, not ear plugs, it is a tangent. I know lots of people who have had very good luck with those.

When I used to take my dog with me to the drag races I would use simply cotton as ear plugs. She quickly got used to it and kept it in until I removed it.

[Bicoastal]

Some military working dog applications utilize the mutt muffs linked. Some groomers use happy hoodies to muffle the HV dryer sound.

I would also talk to your vet about medication.

My plan: taking the thunder-phobic dog to a friend’s quieter house during the main event. He’ll be medicated, wearing his Thunder-Shirt, in a dim room with a crate, radio, fan, and frozen kongs. He likes the resident dogs and they don’t pay attention to fireworks, so I’m hoping their influence will also help.