The sky darkens, and your dog is already pacing. By the first rumble they’re panting, shaking or wedged behind the sofa. Storm fear is one of the most common worries in dogs, and it’s hard to watch.
My dog Milly is one of them. When a storm rolls in, she heads for my closet and tucks herself in behind the long dresses. Here’s what’s going on for dogs like her, and what you can do to help.
Signs your dog is scared of thunderstorms
Some signs are hard to miss. Others are easy to mistake for restlessness. Watch for:
- Pacing and panting
- Shaking or trembling
- Whining or barking
- Drooling
- Hiding, or sticking close to you
- Yawning and licking their paws, which the American Kennel Club lists as signs of stress
- Chewing or scratching at doors, windows and furniture
- Trying to escape
Take escape attempts seriously. Dr Jenni Green, a veterinarian at the University of Sydney, says frightened dogs often try to get out, that many go missing, and that some are injured going through windows and doors.
Why thunderstorms frighten dogs
Noise is the obvious part. The Merck Veterinary Manual describes noise phobia as a sudden, intense reaction to sound, and names thunderstorms as the most common form. Dogs also hear far more than we do. The AKC notes they can often pick up thunder well before we can.
It may be more than noise. A trainer quoted by the AKC suggests dogs may also react to changes in air pressure and to static electricity. Nobody knows for certain, but it would explain why some dogs seem to know a storm is coming before the first rumble.
Storm fear is common. In a 2020 Finnish study of about 13,700 pet dogs, noise sensitivity was the most common anxiety trait, affecting 32% of dogs. The same study found that noise sensitivity increased with age, fear of thunder most of all.
It can also spread. Dr Green explains that dogs link events together, so a fear of storms can grow into a fear of rain alone. That’s the best reason to start helping early.
What you can try during a storm
Give your dog a safe place
Many frightened dogs look for somewhere small, dark and enclosed. Work with that. Dr Green suggests bathrooms, closets or a space under furniture, set up with a comfortable bed and some white noise. Keep it open all the time, including when you’re out, so your dog can get there whenever they need it.
Let your dog choose the spot. Milly decided on my closet.
Mask the sound and the flashes
Close the curtains and put on some steady background sound. A fan, white noise or the TV all work. The AKC says classical music is especially calming for dogs.
Quiet classical music is what I’ve found works best for Milly. Pick something gentle. Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, the one with the cannons, is a poor choice.
Stay calm and stay close
You can comfort a frightened dog. The AKC recommends long, calming strokes. Keep your own voice and movements relaxed, and carry on as normal as far as you can.
Offer a distraction
Chew toys, puzzle toys and lick mats give your dog something else to focus on. Offer them and leave it there. A dog who’s too scared to eat or play needs the safe place more than the toy.
Try a pressure wrap
Anxiety wraps and thunder shirts apply gentle, constant pressure. Dr Green compares it to swaddling a baby. They may help some dogs. Put it on for the first time on a calm day, so the wrap isn’t one more strange thing in the middle of a storm.
Between storms
Sound practice can help. The idea is to play a recording of thunder at a volume low enough that your dog stays relaxed, pair it with treats, and raise the volume over many sessions. The RSPCA recommends this approach for fireworks. A recording only copies the sound of a storm, so see it as one part of the plan.
A crate is another option, as long as your dog already sees it as a safe place. I haven’t tried crate training with Milly, so I can’t speak from experience on that one.
Our guides to fireworks and noise anxiety in dogs cover related ground.
What to avoid
Don’t punish or scold a frightened dog. The AKC says not to punish dogs for anything they do during a storm, including whining and damage.
Don’t drag your dog out of their hiding place, and don’t leave them outside. A panicking dog in a yard is a dog looking for a way out.
When to talk to your vet
Talk to your vet early if your dog panics, tries to escape or hurts themselves. Dr Green’s advice is to plan ahead with your vet instead of waiting for the next storm. Medication can lower fear enough for the other steps to work.
Mention any other worries too. Dr Green notes that storm and noise fears often go hand in hand with other anxiety conditions, such as separation anxiety.
Ask your vet before giving any supplement or herbal product. Not all of them are safe for dogs.
Common questions
Why is my dog suddenly scared of thunderstorms?
Noise fears can appear or grow as dogs get older, and one frightening storm can be enough to start one. Pain and illness can also make a dog more anxious, so a sudden change is worth a vet check.
Should I comfort my dog during a thunderstorm?
Yes. Calm company and slow, steady strokes can help your dog feel safer. Stay relaxed yourself and let your dog decide how close they want to be.
Can dogs sense a storm coming?
Many seem to. Dogs can often hear distant thunder before we can, and they may also notice changes in air pressure or static. The cause isn’t settled.
Do thunder shirts work?
They may help some dogs by applying gentle, constant pressure. Try one alongside a safe place and background sound, and introduce it on a calm day.
Is there medication for thunderstorm anxiety in dogs?
Yes. A vet can prescribe medication for dogs with severe storm fear, usually alongside training. Speak to your vet well before storm season.
Sources
- American Kennel Club: Understanding Thunderstorm Anxiety in Dogs
- University of Sydney: Dogs, thunderstorms and fireworks: the fear is real
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Behavior Problems in Dogs
- Salonen and others, Scientific Reports, 2020: Prevalence, comorbidity, and breed differences in canine anxiety in 13,700 Finnish pet dogs
- RSPCA: Pets and fireworks
