Is your dog terrified of thunderstorms?
We live on the East Coast of the United States. Throughout the summer, thunderstorms often roll in, spread their chaos, and move on in a matter of minutes. Other storms linger, choosing to spend most of the day with you, making a nuisance of themselves. As children, we used to count the seconds between lightning strikes and thunderclaps because that was supposed to tell us how far away the storm was.
And all the while, our poor dog was having a fit!
Thunderstorms cause serious fear and anxiety for many dogs, as they become highly agitated and desperate to get away from what to them is a threat. Fortunately, there are a host of things you can try to calm your dog and help them get past the fear and panic!
We’ve all heard of the calm before the storm. Now, let’s find out how to create calm during the storm for your dog.
Why Does My Dog Have Storm Anxiety?
Thunder can sound like a distant rumble, a huge construction site truck rattling toward you, or a sudden loud explosion right over your house. It can be frightening. That menacing noise, plus the sounds of strong winds and heavy rain, is horrifying to about 30% of dogs.
That Keen Sense of Hearing
Dogs hear much more than we do. A typical dog can hear things from distances four times greater than humans. They’re tuned to sounds of much higher frequencies, and they can more easily determine what the sounds are and where they’re coming from. The thunderclap that makes you jump is way more intense for your dog.
That Storm Smell
There are also a few scents associated with storms, and even we, olfactory-challenged humans, can sometimes detect them. Your dog will sense the distinctly fresh scent of ozone before the storm, the petrichor produced when the first wave of rain stirs up scents from the ground, and the musty smell of damp soil.
If your dog is outside when the storm starts, they may become desperate to find a safe place to hide before the thunder rolls in.
Barometric Pressure, Static Electricity, and Lightning Flashes
Storms happen when the barometric pressure is low. Dogs can sense that pressure and accompanying static electricity in the air and become anxious. Lightning flashes are sudden and bright, adding to the intensity of the situation. Dogs learn to associate these signs with the loud storm sounds they dislike.
A Traumatic Experience
Storms can lead to horrible experiences. In 2005, after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina hit the New Orleans area, not only were people traumatized but so were a lot of dogs. They learned to associate the sounds of a storm with something truly terrible. As a result, they had PTSD with moments of flashbacks. These dogs had a high flight response as soon as the wind started picking up.
Instinct and Genetics
Storms are loud, and loud noises can mean danger to wild animals. Your dog no longer lives in the wild, but the instincts inherited from wild ancestors are ever present.
Herding breeds, such as Shepherds and Collies, are more susceptible to storm anxiety. Also, dogs with long or undercoated fur may be bothered by static electricity during a storm.
What are the Signs That My Dog is Afraid of Thunderstorms?
A dog’s fear of storms can be mild, severe, or anything in between. They can display several symptoms of storm anxiety, including:
- Hiding in small spaces or their crate
- Licking their lips, yawning, drooling
- Seeking comfort from their favorite person
- Trembling, panting, pacing
- Whining, barking
If not addressed, it can become more difficult to calm your dog, and storm anxiety can worsen with every storm.
How to Calm Your Dog During a Storm: A Few Tips
Every dog is different, as is the level of their anxiety. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help your dog. The trick is finding the right combination of remedies to minimize their anxiety symptoms.
Calm Humans Means Calmer Dogs
Your dog will look to you, their pack leader, for cues to their own behavior. If you are terrified of storms, your dog probably will be, too!
Timely Preparation
If you know a storm is brewing, taking a few early steps may prevent a meltdown later. Stay home, and don’t leave your dog alone and afraid. If you can’t be there, find someone who can. Bring the dog inside at the first sign of a storm. Bring the dog to your side if you’re both outside and away from home, as scared dogs may run away in a panic.
A Safe Space
Your dog needs a quiet, den-like place to hide in and feel protected from the storm. An enclosed space, such as a crate, can be soothing. Close window drapes to block the sight of lightning flashes. If you can, add some soundproofing to the space to muffle the sound of the storm.
Distract Your Dog With Engaging Activities
During the storm, give your dog something to draw their focus away from the scary noises. Whip out their favorite toys, especially the ones filled with treats! Try their favorite games, like tug of war, fetch, a puzzle, or a game where they must find something. Keep your dog busy. Sometimes, a gentle massage will do the trick, too.
ThunderShirt® and Wraps
Several wearable items can bring your dog some relief from their fear of thunder:
- The ThunderShirt wraps snugly around your dog, applying comforting pressure that helps ease anxiety. It’s like a security blanket for a dog. ThunderShirts work like magic; dogs automatically feel slightly more comfortable after putting them on.
- Mutt Muffs and Doggles cover ears and eyes to block the offending sounds and sights.
- Wraps made of T-shirts and sweatshirts can have the same swaddling effect as ThunderShirts as long as they are sized for a snug fit.
- An Ace Bandage can serve the same purpose. Just be sure to avoid wrapping it too tightly.
Pleasant Sounds
Drown out the scary storm sounds with soothing music, a white noise machine, television, or other background noise your dog likes. Some veterinarians swear by classical music!
The Presence of Less-Scared Dogs
Does a nearby friend have a dog that’s not bothered by storms? See if you can arrange for that dog to spend the storm time with yours! They will be a good influence on your dog.
Desensitization and Counterconditioning
Try desensitizing your dog when there’s no storm in the area. If successful, the dog will let go of the association between storms and fear. Play a recording of thunderstorms at low volume and give the dog treats and praise. Over time, as you gradually increase the volume, the association will be reduced and eventually eliminated.
Natural Therapies and Medications
The natural products readily available for dogs with severe storm anxiety are:
- Essential oils applied to the back of the neck or on a cloth
- Pheromone spray
- Tryptophan supplements
We sometimes use over-the-counter sedatives to help take the edge off. Please get in touch with your veterinarian before trying more intense anti-anxiety medications on your dog.
Things to Avoid When a Storm Begins
Punishing Your Dog’s Fear
During a storm, your dog might become destructive or try to run away. Do not punish them! They are scared and may be panicking. Instead, do what you can to mitigate the behavior peacefully.
Coddling
Don’t coddle your dog, either. If you go into “oh, you poor thing!” mode, you’re just encouraging more of the same. Instead, show your dog that you are calm and, again, try our calming methods.
Can’t Soothe Your Dog’s Anxiety? The Expert Dog Trainers at K9 Basics Can Help!
The anxiety is so debilitating for some dogs that the parent runs out of options. If nothing works, it’s time to call on the professionals. At K9 Basics, our expert trainers are ready to step in and help train your dog. We will work through their anxieties and help you with some tips for keeping your dog in a better, healthier mental state. Contact us for an appointment. We are here to help!
Give us a call at (866) 592-2742 or, if you’re from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, or New York, visit us at 131 Kenilworth Road, Marlton, New Jersey 08053, to learn more about our dog training services. Also, browse our blog and social media for various topics about dogs and their lives with us!
References
- “5 Tips to Calm Your Dog during a Storm.” 5 Tips to Calm Your Dog During a Storm | PARC Vet, 23 Apr. 2019, theparcvet.com/blog/5-tips-calm-your-dog-during-storm. Accessed 6 Mar. 2023.
- Hearing Sense. “Why Dogs and Cats Hear Better than Humans.” Hearing Sense, 2 Nov. 2020, hearingsense.com.au/dogs-cats-hear-better-humans/. Accessed 6 Mar. 2023.
- Adiep. “10 Things to Do to Help Your Dog’s Storm Anxiety.” The Pet Doctor, 9 Nov. 2021, www.lakewoodpetdoctor.com/blog/how-to-help-your-dogs-storm-anxiety-duplicate/. Accessed 6 Mar. 2023.