Fireworks and Pets with John Landecker on WGN Radio

In studio at WGN with John Landecker

Why are so many pets terrified of fireworks? I offer John Landecker an explanation on HERE on his WGN Radio show.

I explain a bit about desensitization and counterconditioning to actually lessen the fear and sometimes teach pets to actually tolerate fireworks.

I mention several products which may help, including pheromones and John’s new favorite word, nutraceuticals:

Zylkene: As their website says, helps pets to find their “zen.” Zylkene contains bovine-sourced hydrolyzed milk protein, an ingredient that has been shown to have calming properties, particularly for situation stress and to loud noises. Like great-granny used to say, “If you’re upset, drink a glass of warm milk.” Great-granny was right.

ANXITANE (L-Theanine) Chewable Tablets help pets keep calm and relaxed. Containing a pure synthetic form of L-Theanine, an amino acid naturally found in green tea leaves, ANXITANE Tablets are a palatable option that both cats and dogs.

Calming Care is a probiotic from Purina ProPlan Veterinary Diets, which can be sprinkled on the dog’s food. A six-week supply of supplements contains a strain of beneficial bacteria known as BL999 that’s been shown to help keep dogs calm during stressful situations such as separation.

And some easy steps to take: Close the windows (to lessen the sounds) and pull down the shades. Turn on relaxing music or your favorite talk radio station or play classical music as background and to help relax worried pets.

Far more details about pets and fireworks, including additional products, are HERE.

Since, he landed at WGN, I’ve been honored to appear on Landecker’s show four or five times, but always by phone (due to the pandemic he was broadcasting remotely).  This time, I was in studio and for the first time in a few decades when back at another radio station I periodically appeared on his show as a very young broadcaster.