Written By: Rachel Holly
Vet-Reviewed By: Kevin Smith, DVM, Richmond Road Vet Clinic
The fear of thunderstorms is one of the most common phobias among dogs but that doesn’t make it any easier for the pet parent who has to deal with it. It’s stressful for the dog and upsetting for the human who has to watch their pup become anxious every time the skies darken. For some pups, storms may only trigger mild agitation which results in moderate physical signs such as painting or tail tucking. Others may whine, bark, shake, or cower. In severe cases, the anxiety can cause more destructive behavior. While you can’t control the weather, there are some ways you can help your pet cope better.
Why are dogs afraid of thunderstorms?
There’s no single answer to why some dogs are so reactive to weather changes but several factors likely play a role:
Dogs are highly sensitive to noise. Our hearing tops out at 20,000Hz while dogs can hear as high as 65,000Hz. They also hear at four times the distance of humans. If a thunderbolt startles you, image hearing it with dog ears. In addition, dogs are naturally wired to be cautious of loud noises. This is their survival instinct at work.
Dogs sense changes in the air. Many dogs are alert to changes in the barometric pressure changes that precede a storm. This leads to some dogs being rather accurate weather forecasters as they can predict the storm long before the first raindrop falls.
Dogs sense changes in static electricity. Especially in long-coated dogs, a built up a static electricity can be noted by some animals. While harmless, it does indicate to the dog that something is up.
Bad Memories. If you haven’t had your dog their entire life you don’t really know what happened in their past. They may have been caught out in a bad storm; a phobia can develop from a single bad experience and if your dog was a stray for a period of time, they likely experienced severe weather outside.
Dogs Don’t Know What It Is – In ancient times, people were as scared of severe storms as much as dogs are today. They didn’t understand the science of what was happening. Puppy school is still lagging in its science offerings.
Tips for Helping A Dog Cope With Their Fear–
Provide a safe space. This can be their bed, a corner space, or a room with a blanket and toys. Even a closet will do. Whatever area the dog feels comfortable in. Place their favorite blanket or toy there for added security.
Distract them. Play calming music (classical is a good choice). Give them toys; let them have a Kong with their favorite filling to work on.
Be pre-emptive. Avoid walking your dog right before a storm. The change in the air may feel fine to you but not your dog. If you happen to get caught out in a storm keep you dog securely on a leash as he may freak and try to run away. If a storm is in the forecast block it out by closing curtains and windows so the dog doesn’t see the lightning. Secure any doggy door to the outside. Try not to leave them home alone during a storm if possible. If you work that’s not always an option; but if there’s a storm coming, choose another night for the shopping trip.
Comfort your pet but don’t over-do it or fuss over them. It can re-enforce the idea that something is wrong. If a storm is really severe ( the head for the basement type) stay calm yourself. Dogs feed off our reactions and emotional signals.
Try the different options on the market. Dogs with anxiety issues can benefit from special T-shirts and vests that are designed to reduce the static electricity that sometimes triggers their fears.
Talk to Your Vet. If all else fails, there are medications that your vet can prescribe to calm your pet during anxious spells. Never give your dog any “calming supplement” or medication before consulting with a vet.
Having a dog who freaks every time the sky turns gray is no fun for the pet or the person who loves them. Try these suggestions and hopefully you both won’t suffer as much next time the thunder rolls.
