For many dogs, thunderstorms are the stuff of nightmares. Canine thunderstorm phobia, or astraphobia, is a surprisingly common anxiety disorder in dogs. It’s characterized by an intense and irrational fear of storms, specifically the loud booms of thunder and flashes of lightning. While some dogs might display mild unease, severely phobic dogs experience debilitating terror.
This post may include affiliate links.
Highlights
- Canine thunderstorm phobia is a common anxiety disorder characterized by an intense fear of storms.
- Desensitization techniques can help dogs with thunderstorm anxiety by slowly getting them used to storm sounds.
- Obedience training and predictable routines boost a dog's confidence, helping them cope with storm-related anxiety.
- Calming supplements, pheromone products, and pressure wraps can offer additional support to anxious dogs during storms.
It’s heartbreaking to witness our beloved companions in such distress. That’s why it’s crucial we understand how to provide comfort and support to help them cope with their storm anxieties. Simply ignoring or downplaying their fear doesn't make it go away and can even make the phobia worse over time.
Why Are Dogs Afraid of Thunderstorms?
Thunderstorms present a multi-faceted assault on a dog’s senses and instincts, leading to reactions ranging from mild unease to full-blown phobias, often causing severe fear in dogs afraid of storms. Here’s a closer look at the main reasons why dogs find thunder so terrifying:
Loud Noise
Thunder is sudden, LOUD, and a frequent trigger for a dog’s fear of thunderstorms. Dogs like things to be predictable, so those big booms violate their sense of order. The sound of thunder can make dogs jump and prepare for danger, even when they don't know where it’s coming from, making your dog feel anxious.
Sensitivity
Dogs hear way better than us, so the low-frequency rumble of thunder is intensified for them. Loud thunder to us is like an explosion to them! This can be really overwhelming and make them feel scared and confused, as well as experience a drop in barometric pressure. Plus, they have other powers we don't.
Dogs can sense barometric pressure changes before a storm, causing them to feel uneasy and act odd. Lightning in a storm is super bright, startling dogs and adding to their fear. It’s like swaddling a baby when the pressure changes, making dogs afraid of thunderstorms. Dogs can also receive minor static shocks from the accumulation of static electricity that comes with thunderstorms.
Bad Memories
Sometimes, dogs are afraid of thunderstorms because they’ve had a bad experience in the past. Maybe they were outside during a storm and felt scared because they didn’t know what was happening. Your dog might even show signs of separation anxiety if left alone during a storm. Now, even when they’re safe inside, thunder reminds them of that scary feeling, and their fear can feel like fireworks.
Genetics
Some dogs are just born a little more nervous, making them more likely to be afraid of storms. It’s like how some kids are more scared of the dark than others. Certain dog breeds, especially those that herd animals, are made to be extra alert.
This means they might get startled more easily by loud noises like thunder. And any dog can also get a jumpy personality from their parents!
Helping Your Dog Feel Less Scared of Thunder
Overcoming thunderstorm anxiety isn't about a quick solution – it’s about building your dog’s resilience over time and helping your dog feel calmer during storms. These strategies work best when done consistently, even outside of storm season, to lessen your dog’s fear of thunderstorms:
Getting Used to Thunder
Desensitization can help your fearful dog learn that thunder isn't always a threat. This can reduce signs of fear during storms.
Start small. Find high-quality recordings of thunderstorms and begin playing them at a very low volume, barely noticeable at first, so as not to make your dog anxious.
Make it positive. While the sounds of the storm play, engage in fun activities with your dog to create a positive association. Offer high-value treats, play their favorite game, or give them gentle praise and petting to show your dog a safe place to go.
Gradual increase. Over several sessions, gradually increase the volume of the storm sounds, but always stop if your dog gets too anxious. Remember, patience is key when trying to help dogs with noise phobia.
The goal is to change your dog’s association with thunder from fear to something positive (like playtime and treats) or at least neutral. Patience and consistency are key during this noise aversion therapy!
Building Emotional Strength
A confident dog has better emotional tools to handle stressful situations like thunderstorms and is less likely to be afraid of storms. Here’s how to boost your dog’s confidence:
Obedience Training
Teaching commands like “sit”, “stay”, and “come” helps your dog focus and builds your bond. This provides a sense of control and predictability that can help your dog during a storm. Learning new skills gives your dog a feeling of accomplishment, which further boosts their confidence and helps calm an anxious dog.
Predictable Routines
Maintain consistent routines for feeding, walks, and play. Knowing what to expect lowers your dog’s everyday anxiety. Make sure they have designated safe spaces to retreat to when they feel overwhelmed, providing your dog a safe space to help them cope.
The Power of Positive Reinforcement
Focus on rewarding calm behavior throughout the day, not just during training. Help your dog learn that good things happen when they’re relaxed, and this can help your dog feel calmer during thunderstorms. Avoid harsh corrections or punishment, as these will increase anxiety, damage your bond, and cause your dog’s fear of thunderstorms to worsen.
Natural and Holistic Options
While desensitization and confidence-building are key, natural and holistic remedies can provide additional support, especially if your dog shows signs of severe anxiety and noise phobia:
Calming Supplements
Following are some calming supplements or treats you can use for your dog.
- Melatonin. This natural hormone can reduce overall hypervigilance and make your dog less reactive to storms and loud noises.
- L-Theanine. This amino acid promotes relaxation without causing drowsiness.
- Other ingredients. Look for supplements with chamomile, valerian root, or tryptophan to soothe your anxious dog.
Pheromone Products
These mimic the calming pheromones released by mother dogs and can create a sense of safety for your dog. They can help reduce anxiety and are a good addition when your dog is resting in their safe space during a storm or if your dog starts to experience static shocks.
What To Do During a Thunderstorm
While the long-term strategies laid out in the previous section are key to overall progress and can help your dog during a thunderstorm, it’s vital to know how to help your dog cope in the moment when a storm hits.
Here’s what you can do to give your dog a safe place and help minimize the impact of the storm:
Create a Safe Space
Ideally, your dog should already be familiar with a designated safe space like a crate, a cozy corner in a quiet room, or even a bathroom. Make sure it’s filled with comfy blankets, their favorite toys, and items that have their familiar scent, providing a safe place for when your dog is afraid of thunder.
You should help minimize the storm’s impact by closing curtains or blinds to lessen flashes of lightning. Dimming lights can also create a soothing atmosphere to help dogs feel safe.
Distraction Techniques
Background noise like the TV, white noise machine, or calming classical music helps drown out scary sounds and can help your dog feel calmer during a thunderstorm. Experiment to find what works best for your dog and helps reduce their fear of thunderstorms.
If your dog is receptive, try engaging them with their favorite interactive toys or puzzle feeders filled with high-value treats. The goal is to create a more positive association competing with their fear response and can help them cope with storm phobia in dogs.
Scatter tasty treats around their safe space and let them sniff them out. This foraging activity is naturally calming and helps your dog shift their focus, which can help your dog during a storm.
Calm and Reassuring Presence
Your dog looks to you for cues. Staying calm and composed yourself sends a strong signal that there’s nothing to be overly alarmed about. Avoid being excessively coddling, as this can unintentionally reinforce their fear of thunderstorms. But offer gentle reassurance and pets if they seek them out and want to be near you.
Sometimes, simply sitting near your dog’s safe space with a good book or some quiet work can be incredibly comforting and help them feel less afraid of the sound of thunder.
Pressure Wraps
Products like the Thundershirt provide gentle, constant pressure, mimicking the feeling of being held or swaddled, and often work with dogs afraid of storms. This activates calming pressure points, similar to swaddling a baby, and can help dogs with anxiety.
Some dogs find an anxiety wrap very helpful, while others don't. It’s best to introduce a Thundershirt well before a storm so your dog has time to adjust to wearing it and get used to the sounds of the storm gradually.
Important Note: Even with these strategies, some dogs may still experience significant anxiety and signs of noise phobia during a storm. If your dog is severely distressed, don't hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian or a behaviorist for further guidance, potential medication options like anti-anxiety medication, and additional support if your dog is afraid of storms.
When to Seek Professional Help
It’s important to know that some cases of storm phobia in dogs are so severe that they require professional intervention for your dog’s safety and well-being. Here are the red flags that indicate it's time to get help and consult your veterinarian:
Severe Reaction
It’s important to know that your furry friend may become extremely anxious during thunderstorms, which could prompt them to harm themselves physically. This might entail biting, frantic scratching, chewing on walls, and ultimately, shock. Needless to say, if your dog shows these signs of fear, you should seek veterinary care immediately to ensure their safety.
Some dogs become so desperate to escape the perceived threat due to their noise phobia that they’ll break through windows, bolt out of doors, or attempt to scale fences and put themselves at risk of serious injury.
If you notice your pet displaying symptoms such as uncontrollable trembling, excessive drooling, hiding, being impossible to coax out, or loss of bladder/bowel control, it is a sign that their level of distress and anxiety is beyond what you can manage alone. It is important to seek professional help from a veterinarian or an animal behaviorist to ensure your furry friend receives the proper care and attention they need.
Lack of Progress
If you’ve diligently implemented the strategies outlined in previous sections for several weeks or months yet see little to no improvement in your dog’s fear of thunderstorms, it’s time to consult a professional. There may be underlying factors that need to be addressed to help your dog manage those low-frequency rumbles.
Role of Veterinarian and Canine Behaviorist
Having a veterinarian check your dog is crucial in the event of severe storm phobia. The vet can first rule out any medical conditions that might be making anxiety worse. This can include hearing loss, thyroid issues, changes in air pressure, and other factors. They can then discuss whether anti-anxiety medication, used in combination with behavioral strategies, is appropriate for your dog’s condition.
A veterinarian who specializes in behavior or a certified dog trainer with credentials like CPDT-KA or IAABC-ACDBC can provide customized desensitization and noise aversion therapy, as well as behavior modification techniques. They can help you fine-tune your approach and offer tailored strategies for better results, ultimately making your dog feel safer.
Remember, seeking professional help is not a failure, but a way to give your furry friend the best possible chance to overcome their phobia, manage their separation anxiety, and become less afraid of storms. A veterinary behaviorist can help you with many aspects of storm phobia in dogs.