If there is one similarity shared by both canines and felines it is the fear that results when there ears are rattled by sudden, loud noises. This is especially true with young puppies whose smaller ears are very sensitive to sounds like fireworks, thunder, and even vehicles that backfire. Due to the fact that a puppy's ears tend to be considerably more sensitive than an adult dog's ears and that they haven't been alive long enough to be aware of these loud noises, they are more susceptible to the stress that results from these noises.



Some owners have resorted to the use of human tranquilizers to calm down the puppy. However, this is definitely not the course of action to take since it is uncertain how the puppy's system will react with human medications. Some veterinarians today are actually recommending alternative medicines to calm the puppy when they are stressed over these loud, discomforting sounds.

The alternative route is much safer than tranquilizers and it is sold as an over-the-counter medication. Melatonin is being used by numerous pet owners to relieve a puppy's anxiety that develops as a result of various loud noises. The pineal gland located at the base of the brain is part of the endocrine system and is the gland that naturally secretes melatonin which is a hormone.

Melatonin is also the hormone that has a regulating effect on the body's "circadian" rhythm which is the body's built-in 24-hour clock. This "clock" in mammals tells the body when to fall asleep and when to wake up. Humans have been using Melatonin for years as a natural sleep aid and now veterinarians are prescribing it for dogs in order to relieve the anxiety that the animal feels when a thunderstorm is drawing near. Other stress-related issues in dogs are also treated with Melatonin as well.

Fleas are another one of the canine world's enemies. These can also be remedied using all-natural medications. Certain natural plant oils have been found to be very effective as well as completely safe when treating fleas. Aromatherapy is a newer solution for the treatment of fleas. This is a mixture of different plant oils and is a natural substitute as well as a much safer alternative to the traditional treatment of fleas using strong chemicals. These can also be purchased over-the-counter without a prescription.

A distillation process - steam distillation - is the special method most commonly used to extract these naturally potent oils form plants. The oils from certain plants are mixed together and then rubbed into the dog's coat to help rid the animal from fleas as well as preventing future outbreaks of them. Although there are numerous other natural oils available on the market, the main three that are used for the treatment of fleas are lavender, lemongrass, and peppermint. These natural oils create a soothing effect on your pet's coat and the skin. Additionally, they have also been found to be effective for repelling mosquitoes.