There's still time to get to your veterinarian to make sure you have whatever you need to make your skittish dog comfortable over the Fourth of July weekend. The fireworks have already started going off here in the evenings. That reminded me to make a quick post about those poor doggies who are not fans of the booms. Safe sedatives are available to get your pup through the festivities without too much stress. But, don't wait til the last minute to seek help. I'm positive, at least around our house, that the scary noises will be going for the foreseeable future, so I've already got supplies on hand to help the doggies staying with us for the holiday weekend. If you absolutely cannot contact your dog's vet and need help quick, Benadryl is a safe alternative to prescription sedatives. But, you should only give the drug unmixed with any other symptom reliever. In other words, the only ingredient listed on the package should be "Diphenhydramine", which is an antihistamine. You don't want any other medications for cough, fever, etc. mixed in with it. The normally prescribed dose of Benadryl for dogs is 1 mg. per pound of body weight every 4-6 hours. So, a dog weighing 25 pounds should take 25 mg. Do not exceed more than 4 doses in 24 hours. Benadryl comes in several strengths, from 10 mg to 25 mg and there is even liquid. Read the box carefully to determine the strength of the medication. The liquid form is really good for dogs who are small and those who don't like pills. However, be careful to read the label thoroughly. With liquid Benadryl you'll have to convert the strength from mls. to mgs. Usually, 5 ml = 1 tablespoon = 12.5 mg. If you need help figuring it out, call me and I'll be happy to help. Benadryl will make your dog very sleepy if given ahead of the anxiety. Don't wait until she is freaked out because of the fireworks. Give it to her early in the day and keep it going every 4-6 hours so that she doesn't have to get worked up at all. Adrenalin can cause the drug to have a much less satisfying effect! Also, try to mask the sounds of the fireworks with a loud radio and floor fans turned up high. If your dog has trouble with the flashes of light from the fireworks, try turning on the television and keep all the lights on in the room and close the blinds or drapes. Above all, do not put your dog outside in the yard or in the garage away from you. She will need the reassurance of your presence to make it through the scary stuff. Finally, even if your girl normally has no problem with fireworks, don't risk it. Leave her at home (safely INSIDE) if you are going to a display or party where fireworks will be lighted. We still have room this weekend for boarders if you have no other alternative!