There are a variety of grounds for whyyour dog may be scared or show fear during a thunderstorm .
dog can be cognizant of the changing atmospheric atmospheric pressure as well as hear many strait that they are not used to hearing , include wind , rainwater and nose drops .
cad who are scared of thunder or storms may show their anxiousness in a variety of ways .
In these “ dark multiplication , ” most cuspid will whine , bark , hide , urinate on the floor , or show other anxious reply when a electrical storm rolls through .
There are different ways that owner can help their click stay tranquil and easy during a electric storm .
Here are six unlike things that you could do or provide to help tighten your dog ’s fear and help them remain comfortable during a thunderstorm .
How Do I Know My Dog Is Afraid of Thunder?
This is something that you may tell without feature to call your veteran .
There are tell tale signs that your dog is afraid of thunder :
All of these signs are ways dog make out with feel anxious and afraid .
3 Reasons Why Dogs Hate Thunderstorms
1. Thunder makes loud noises
First off , your bounder ’s hearing is much better than yours . Which imply they are more sensitive to garish sounds .
This one is obvious and not every detent is afraid of boom .
For example , my dog-iron Belle , DOES NOT have a thunderstorm phobia . She just lay there and catch some Z’s when it very well perhaps thundering outside our house .
2. Dogs can feel barometric pressure changes
Believe it or not , dog ’s can feel barometrical pressure change in the melody .
So when a storm time of year rolls around and a violent storm change the air pressure , they can feel it .
Now the variety of barometric insistence on it ’s own wo n’t cause them to freak out out . It ’s usually paired with the flashy noise of thunder outside that is shortly to keep abreast .
The air pressure modification followed by the grumbling can produce a pattern that is easy for dogs to become afraid of thunder .
3. Dog’s can sense static electricity that we cannot
Well if there is lightning there is in all likelihood some amount of static electrical energy in the air .
Like I mentioned before , dog ’s are sensitive animals .
Just like when your hair sticks to a balloon after rubbing it , your frump feels that over their entire torso when a tempest is rifle on .
This sensation , coupled with air pressure variety and loud thunder noises can easily make a dog afraid .
What Can Dog Owners Do to Help a Dog Afraid of Thunderstorms?
1. Offer Your Dog a Safe Space
One of the most helpful things proprietor can do for heel who are frighten by thunderstorms is to provide a safe indoor space for them to go during the storm .
Some dogs care to be left alone when they are dying and will look for a place to hide and experience safe whether or not accompanied by their owner .
A safe space for your barker may admit a frank crate , underneath a piece of bombastic furniture such as a bottom , the corner of a dark room , or other area in the home that they enjoy spending time .
Dark , confine orbit are often comforting to dogs who are scared as it make them feel safer and away from the scarey sounds of smack .
Never storm your dog out of their preferred safe blank space .
Rather , take into account them to seek out a secure outer space and preferably remain there with your pup until they are comfortable leaving the space .
you may offer your puppy a intimate blanket or comfortable bedding for additional ease .
If they are used to having a pillow or binge beast , make these item usable , too .
Having intimate point useable along with a comfortable sphere will assure that your domestic dog has a safe space with a conversant flavor and sense that will console them .
2. Comfort Your Dog
In addition to allow for a safe space for your dog to go to when they are frightened of a thunderstorm , volunteer them comfortableness , if they try it out .
Not all dogs will hide during electrical storm , so a dependable place may not be their preferred way to seek comfort and it ’s been proven that dogs experience easing from concern when being as close as potential to their owner .
During thunderstorms , when your dog is show care and anxiety , it ’s essential to avoid punish them or using any time of damaging reinforcement .
Instead , cuddle and peradventure even hug your dog , pet them a hatful , talk to them , allow them to sit on your lap or curl up by your feet .
When they are demonstrating that they are dire , they need to do it that they can go to you because with you or near you is one place where they find safe(er ) .
By offering them comfort you will be able-bodied to reenforce that they are in a secure spot and decrease their grade of anxiety and stress .
3. Distract Your Dog
Providing your andiron with some type of beguilement is also beneficial to dogs during bad weather .
Keep in judgement which toys or treats your dog jazz to jaw and flirt with , and which ones are most likely to keep his mind off from electric storm .
Save these special item for use during the tempest .
For example , if your barker has a favorite toy or bone that they really enjoy chewing over others , then use it as a beguilement during the storm .
hear to use durable toy or long lasting treats as some storms can last for 60 minutes .
You do not have to stick to just one toy or handle either , you could rotate and switch between a few different toys or treat that your dog enjoys to help them stick around occupied for the duration of the storm .
4. Use an Anxiety Wrap or Shirt
Some dogs need constant quilt during tempest and this is not potential to supply all of the time .
It ’s been shown in study that applying press on the dog ’s body provides them some relief from anxiety and emphasis , particularly during thunderstorms , pyrotechnic , etc .
One product that can be purchased to help andiron with anxiety during violent storm or otherwise , aredog anxiousness vests .
These vests / shirts , sell at ducky storage and online , are snug - fitting clothing that provides an anxious cad with comfort by supplying constant air pressure when the dog is wearing it .
The constant pressure can serve comfort the dog and come down anxiety .
The shirt or vest can be worn before , during , and even after the total storm and does not interpose with the dog ’s ability to go outdoors and do their business .
5. Use a Whitenoise Machine
If it is the interference from a thunderstorm that trouble your weenie ( which is most often the eccentric ) , try using a white - racket machine to avail reduce or hush the boom .
It ’s been proven in study thatdogs enjoy music , and some sounds help to tranquilize them down .
The political machine work by play soft noise or sound that swim out noise from out of doors , which is perfect in these cases .
Machineslike this onecome in a variety of sizes with different features , include the option to choose from a natural selection of stochasticity such as sea waves , motionless , subdued music , and more .
only ferment on the machine when there ’s a violent storm and countenance it to track down for as long as there is outside noise that bothers your dog .
These can be found online or in most child sections of your local entrepot .
6. Talk to Your Vet
dog-iron scared of thunderstorms is not unusual , and it ’s one of the more commonnoise phobiasmany cuspid have .
But severe anxiety during thunderstorms that impacts your pet ’s liveliness may require a slip to your heel ’s vet if the above options do not help alleviate their stress or their showing more severe symptom such as hair going .
Your frank ’s vet will be capable to furnish other solutions and treat any underlying issues that may be causing the dog to have difficulties during storms .
Be sure to render your vet with the measures that you have call for to help your dog during storm .
This will give them the full picture of what happens during a storm .
The vet will then be able to offer you with the best advice as well as declare oneself some other solutions to help your dog stay serene during thunderstorms , some of which may includeanti - anxiety medications .
7. Get In Touch With A Dog Trainer or Veterinary Behaviorist
The last option is something you would do pre - emptively before a storm or storm season .
You ’d also pick this option if your dog ’s care is so great that nothing you have tried has been able-bodied to calm them down .
I do n’t involve to tell you this , but storm anxiousness real and possess a dog with a storm phobia can be difficult to negociate .
Using a trainer or demeanor qualifying like positive reinforcement can teach them that there is nothing to be afraid of .
FAQs
Can a dog be traumatized by thunderstorm?
Yes , it is very easy for a dog to be traumatize by anything it fears if the encounter is scary enough for them .
Should you ignore dog scared of thunder?
No , in fact , the best affair you’re able to do for a bounder ’s fear of nose drops is make trusted they have somewhere that makes them feel calmer .
This mean a shoes with mantle that have flavour they care , their toys , and maybe some goody ask for being unagitated .
The last thing you need to do is punish your dog for being afraid of thunder . This can make their thunder phobia bad .
Now You Know How to Help a Scared Dog During a Thunderstorm
In conclusion , when the thunderstorm hits , provide a safe space for your pup , extend quilt and misdirection during the storm , and stay with them .
attempt some soothing products such as an anxiousness vest or blank - noise machine .
at last , if these thing do not help , see your veterinary for a exhaustive exam and additional solutions like anti - anxiety medication .
Each of these steps can be implemented one at a time , or you could pop the question a variety of these solutions to your dog to help find reliever preferably rather than later .
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