Why Are Dogs Scared of Thunder?
Why are dogs scared of thunder? Just like in humans, lightning and thunderstorm phobia is common in pets. Dogs can experience emotions similar to those of humans and can therefore develop different psychological conditions such as phobias. Many dogs are known to experience noise anxiety which makes them afraid of thunderstorms, simply because they don’t like the loud sound. Many dogs are also afraid of thunder simply because they fail to perceive what it is and where it comes from. These dogs will hear the loud sound of thunderstorms and think of it as something threatening. Unluckily, the fear of lightning, thunderstorms, and other loud noise get worse with frequent exposure.
So, What’s the Root Cause of Storm Anxiety in Dogs?
Dogs are different but when it comes to storm anxiety, over 40% of the dogs across the globe have thunderstorm anxiety. During a storm, fear can prompt a dog to look for a safe place to hide. When you are home with your dog and thunderstorms start, the fog might feel safe and protected. However, his fear of thunderstorms can become irrational if he gets caught up in the storm outside. This is because the physiological responses to anxiety are similar in humans and animals. Several possible factors may contribute to a dog being scared of thunderstorms. Let’s take a look at some of those factors.
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Thunderstorms are Too Loud
One of the obvious reasons why dogs develop a storm phobia is because their ears have better hearing capacity than humans. Vacuum cleaners are noisy. One unique thing about dogs is that they can detect the smallest sounds that even the sharpest human ear can’t detect. What’s more, is that dogs can detect very soft sounds at high frequencies. Considering that a dog is capable of hearing sounds at lower decibels than humans, imagine how thunderstorms are to him. Just like humans, dogs get uncomfortable when the sound gets too high for them. Some dogs are sensitive to different kinds of noises including fireworks, gunshots, and coffee grinders as well. Other dogs are only fearful of certain sounds and seem unaffected by others. Lightning, rain, wind, and other storm conditions have a direct impact on the negative association between dogs and storms.
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Thunderstorms are Scary
Dogs cannot express their fear in words and so they communicate with body language which is at times difficult for their owners to interpret. Since dogs have a superior hearing capacity, they can hear thunder rumbling far away. Your dog s also capable of detecting changes in barometric pressure or scents and he might begin to react to the storm long before it comes. Since such changes are indiscernible to dog owners, it might seem to them that their dogs are simply acting strangely or even misbehaving. It is therefore important for all dog owners to know that how to distinguish storm anxiety in their dogs.
The common signs of dogs with storm anxiety include trembling, hiding under the table, chair, or bed, involuntary indoor urination, trembling, pacing, lowered eyes and tail, wide eyes, panting and drooling, and destructive behavior which also includes self-harm. The common triggers of these symptoms vary from one dog to the other and may change in individual animals as time passes by and their anxiety grows.
How to Calm Your Pooch During a Storm
If your dog falls among those dogs that are afraid of lightning and thunderstorms, there are several things that you can do to keep him calm when a storm is on the horizon. These measures include:
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Create A Safe Space
After finding out that your dog is scared of lighting and thunderstorms, provide him with a safe indoor space to go to when he is scared. If your dog is crate trained, you should train him to go to his crate when a storm is on the horizon. That way, he will be able to feel calm and safe. You can also introduce toys to him to keep him occupied. To help absorb the loud sounds of thunderstorms, cover the crate with a blanket but leave the door side uncovered to prevent him from feeling trapped. If you don’t have a crate for your dog, or if your dog isn’t used to the crate, create for him a place where he feels safe and secure.
Select a calm place inside the house and set up for him a temporary bed to be used until the storm period is over. Consider giving him a treat stuffed toy to make the occasion memorable and positive. To prevent him from looking outside, close all blinds or curtains of any window. The safe place you create should preferably not have a carpet to minimize static electricity. Bathrooms are a favorite retreat for dogs suffering from static shocks, but other good options for safe places include basements if you have one and closets.
Read About: Top-rated Plastic Dog Crates.
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Stay Calm
The best thing you can do to keep your dog feeling calm and safe during a storm is to remain calm around him. Just like dogs, some owners are also afraid of lighting and thunderstorms. Making a big fuss around the dog only shows him that there is a good reason to panic. Dogs look upon their owners for reassurance. We should therefore show them that we are calm and relaxed. If the owner is calm and relaxed, every dog will understand that there is no real danger.
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Distract Him
The other thing to do when a storm is on the horizon is to keep your dog busy and distracted from it. If he is always afraid of lightning and thunderstorms, turn on the TV for him to watch or turn on calming music that drowns thunder noise. If the dog is feeling playful, grab some toys and play around with him. You can also reward him with his favorite treats too. Just do anything as long as distracts him and creates a positive association with the loud sound of thunder.
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Prepare for The Next Storm
After reading the weather forecast and realizing that a storm is on the horizon, try desensitizing your dog from the sounds of thunder. You can do this by playing calm music or any other sounds quietly in the background as you play games or give treats to your dog. Veterinarians recommend that you lay such sounds around the time when your favorite dog’s activities are happening. Such times include dinner time, playtime, or when taking a walk. If you notice that your dog is having a positive reaction to the sound/music, gradually increase the volume of that sound at a pace that your dog is comfortable with. By doing this over a few weeks or months, your dog will learn how to associate with the sounds of thunderstorms.
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Other Treatment Options
Another popular suggestion for relieving dog’s anxiety is the use of specialized dog vests, jackets, and capes which are readily available from different commercial stores. The idea behind the clothes is that swaddling the dog with something that’s tightly fitted around his body will give him a sense of security. Like any other form of behavior modification, you must have your dog wear the vest before the storm season arrives. The other treatment option available is the use of medication. Giving your dog sedatives will only make him sleep through the storm, however, you will not be able to address the underlying problem of anxiety. On the other hand, antidepressants do a great job in relieving anxiety while still helping your dog focus on other behavioral modification training during a storm.
Related Read: Best Indoor Dog Houses for Large Dogs
Why Are Dogs Scared of Thunder FAQs:
Q: Are all dogs scared of thunderstorms?
A: Depending on a dog’s personality and past experiences, different parts of thunderstorms can cause fear or anxiety. Some dogs are capable of sensing the changes in air pressure or may have and may hear a low-frequency rumbling of thunder which makes them get prepared for the coming storm.
Q: Why do dogs have a storm phobia?
A: With their acute sense of hearing, it makes sense why dogs are afraid of loud noises such as those caused by thunderstorms, fireworks, or gunshots.
Q: Do cats also have storm anxiety?
A: Cat’s ears are more sensitive than those of dogs or humans. While some cats do suffer from storm anxiety, storm anxiety isn’t so much common in cats because cats deploy different methods to cope with that. Cats often seem to be more self-reliant and understated than dogs, so when they hide under beds during storms, owners may fail to notice that response as unusual.
Conclusion
Never scold or punish a dog for being thunderstorms phobic. Talking to your veterinarian is the best thing to do when it comes to dogs suffering from storm anxiety. If you have a new puppy and you are looking forward to preventing him from developing storm anxiety, your veterinarian will advise you on the measures to take up. If your dog has severe storm anxiety, your veterinarian will still be the best person who will recommend to you the alternative remedies to help your dog feel calmer.
See Also Triggers of Storm Phobia.