EarthWise Pet sees customers relying on various calming products for pets scared of fireworks

Keeping anxious pets calm during storms is already difficult enough, but it can get even more challenging during fireworks heavy holidays like the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve, which is why EarthWise Pet in Newton is always stocked full with the latest calming supplements and other relaxation remedies.

Zach Jensen, owner of EarthWise Pet, said there are tons of options out in the market for people to choose from, but he recommended dog and cat owners be careful with their selections and do a little research before deciding on a product. To him, it is important to find reputable companies using the right ingredients.

“You’ve just got to be really careful with things because the pet industry is just so unregulated,” Jensen said. “It’s unreal the kind of things they put in some of this stuff, and it makes you go: ‘How is this even legal?’ But there are a lot of different things for pets scared of fireworks. But it’s funny because each pet is different.”

Products that work well with one dog may not work well with another. Cats and dogs may react differently when it comes to the types of supplements they use. For instance, an ingestible supplement that looks more like a treat may work best on a canine companion, but droplets may be better suited for those clever felines.

When it comes to specific products that help relieve anxiety for pets sensitive to the loud noises of thunderstorms or fireworks, Jensen said his go-to calming solutions are products made with CBD oil. The oil is extracted from the cannabis plant, or hemp. CBD oil is seen as a more natural remedy.

However, Jensen remembers a time when the CBD oil products were not as popular. Consumers were not as familiar with the product as they are now, and Jensen reckoned there was confusion over its relationship with marijuana. Now that more customers are starting to know the difference, it’s more widely used.

“I think it actually works compared to some other stuff on the market that’s marketed toward calming dogs. The CBD stuff is pricier, but it seems to work,” Jensen said, noting the products come in many forms. “You can administer it like a treat, which is typically the easiest way, or there’s a tincture droplet or powder.”

Others use balms to apply onto the pet. It’s all up to the owner how they want to administer their calming supplements. EarthWise Pet also has non-supplemental alternatives to pet anxiety like ThunderShirts, a vest that dogs can wear around their torso. It applies a gentle and constant pressure that can calm dogs.

“Again, it all depends on the dog,” Jensen said. “I’ve had people that have them say they work wonders, and I’ve had people that are like, ‘Yeah it didn’t do a single thing for me.’ Every dog has got their own personality and they’re different. That’s just kind of what we all love about dogs.”

The trend of people finding more anti-anxiety remedies for their dogs seems to be increasing, Jensen added. Customers are specifically going after the CBD oil products to treat pet anxiety. Again, pet owners have become more researched on the topic now that more data is out there, and word-of-mouth travels fast.

EarthWise Pet specializes in pet nutrition and wellness, and the staff prides itself in keeping up-to-date on the latest natural foods, treats and health trends for pets. The downtown Newton shop makes sure all of its products — including and especially its CBD oil products — are the right fit for their four-legged consumers.

“I’ve carefully gone through these companies and made sure they’re doing the right thing,” Jensen said. “We’ve got people coming in all the time saying, ‘Well, I got this off of Amazon.’ Then you look at it and go, ‘Have you looked at any background on that company?’ That’s where you have to be careful.”

If Jensen were to give any advice to future customers wanting to try a calming supplement for their pet, he said it would be best to not wait until the Fourth of July to give it a try. It’s best to introduce it to the pet beforehand so they can get used to its effects, and to see if it works.

“It may still work but it’s usually better to get them used to it,” Jensen said. “Some of the calming stuff you need to give it a try before. It’s gotta build up in their system, too. Another bit of advice, too: Don’t take your dog outside during fireworks. Put them down in the basement and get some background music.”

Jensen also noted pet owners should make sure their animals don’t ingest any fireworks debris or residue; he recalled a past incident with his own dog that got it in his system and required expert care over at the animal hospital at Iowa State University.

“Just be smart with your own pets … and just keep them away from it,” Jensen said. “It’s a simple thing to do.”

Consumer-grade fireworks are legal to shoot off at 9 a.m.-11 p.m. July 3-4 within Newton city limits.