Sometimes you just have to leave your beloved dog alone during a thunderstorm. You can’t be in two places at once and you can’t always take your dog with you. Even if you wanted to and that’s okay. There’s a lot of different things we can do to ease some anxiety in dogs when it comes to thunderstorms.
Let’s first look at a few key senses of dogs that affect how they experience thunderstorms.
Can dogs sense when it’s going to storm?
Dogs have the same five senses as humans but more highly developed. Dog’s sense of smell is by far immensely better than humans. That’s why they are trained to track missing persons, digging underground, and helping with ways that humans can’t.
Not all dogs’ noses are the same, however. If we would look at the nose and senses of a german shepherd and a pug, there would be a big difference. You wouldn’t choose a pug to engage in tracing. Rather as a furry friend to watch TV with and go for walks.
Some breeds have better hearing than others. All dogs can also detect noises well beyond the range of the human ear.
According to Encyclopedia Britannica dogs are able to register sounds of 35,000 vibrations per second, compared with 20,000 per second in humans. Dogs also can shut off their inner ear in order to filter out distracting sounds. Because of their excellent hearing, dogs are able to hear thunder or storm before we can.
Some researchers do think that animals can sense early warnings, like subtle tremors before larger earthquakes, before humans. By picking up these cues, they might just flee the area and run to the forest for instance. It’s instinctual to an animal looking for cover. In other words, no sixth sense necessary.
Kelly Ballyntyne, clinical assistant professor of Veterinary Medicine, says our canines’ incredible noses may predict a storm is coming just by smelling changes in the environment.
Are dogs afraid of thunder and lightning?
Some dogs get anxious when the thunderstorm is on. “The signs of anxiousness in dogs are: ears back, tails down, eyes wide, panting, lip-licking and yawning,” says Terry Curtis, a clinical behaviorist at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. Sometimes dog’s panic escalates to dangerous levels during thunderstorms and they can do some serious damage in the house.
Not all dogs are the same of course. I know dogs that have slept and snored through thunderstorms and fireworks. And others may have a canine noise aversion, a fearful response when there’s a loud sound in the environment.
How to calm your dog during a thunderstorm
According to veterinary behaviorists there’s a lot of different things we can do to ease our dog’s anxiety when it comes to thunderstorms.
#TIP 1. ANTI-STATIC JACKET OR THUNDERSHIRT FOR DOGS
Nicholas Dodman, a veterinary behaviorist at the Center for Canine Behavior Studies, says that large dogs and those with long or double coats can easily build up static electricity. Just like when we wear a sweater and get a shock from the car door.
“A dog already nervous during storms may get another shock when touching its nose to a metal object. Then mild discomfort could escalate to full-on phobia.”
Nicholas Dodman
Dodman also noticed that many dogs seek out hiding places grounded against electric shocks, such as bathtubs, jacuzzis, or behind the toilet tank. He wanted to know more and asked several dog owners where their dogs hide and half of them said the bathroom.
After this, he and other veterinary behaviorists started to recommend owners buy an anti-static jacket to keep the dogs calm. Dodman adds that snug-fitting wraps can also be comforting. For example a thunder shirt jacket for dogs that applies gentle, constant pressure to calm anxiety and fear. There’s also a full-body thunder jacket for dogs with anti-static fleece.
# TIP 2. & 3. LET YOUR DOG DECIDE WHERE IT FEELS SAFE AND MAKE IT COMFORTABLE
Ballyntyne also advises letting the dog decide where it feels safe and then making that area more comfortable. It could be just by adding white-noise machines to buffer the noise of thunder or other soundproofing methods.
According to Dr. Ragen McGowan, Behavior Research Scientist at Purina, recommends to:
“Scope out a calm place in your home where you can set up your dog’s bed during the thunderstorm. Consider giving him a treat-stuffed toy to make the occasion positive. Close the blinds or curtains so he can’t see outside.”
Ragen McGowan
The place your dog feels most comfortable during thunderstorms might not be the usual place your dog likes to sleep. The next tip comes in handy if you’re not sure where your dog likes to be during thunderstorms.
# TIP 4. RECORD THE BEHAVIOR
Ballyntyne suggests that dog owners videotape their dog while they are left alone in the house. Just to see signs of anxiety such as pacing, panting, and restlessness.
You don’t have to set up big equipment or even buy those treat-throwing pet cameras to record your doggo. There’s a lot of different options that work perfectly. You can search for “camera for pet/baby/nanny” and have a lot to choose from.
I recommend buying those cameras that have 360 views like an HP pet camera with night vision. That way you can see every angle when your dog moves. All cameras should have clear two-way audio by now, so you are able to talk to your dog.
Some of the cameras even have a sensor that you can adjust. When there’s movement in your home, the app will notify you right away. When you want to know what’s going on at home, you go to the app with your own secret password. You can move the camera easily and hit ‘record’ if you want.
Are pet cameras safe?
When you think about cameras in your home and get an uncomfortable feeling, I get it. There are some unsecured cameras out there that can be viewed by anyone with an internet connection. Most of those Wi-Fi cameras don’t have built-in security features or password protection so take note of that when you shop.
Make sure your Wi-Fi password and camera password are also strong. Including different symbols like “@” or “$”, keep the software up to date and cover the camera’s lens when you’re not using it.
When you know how your dog is reacting, you can adjust the surroundings to make your dog feel even more comfortable next time.
# TIP 5. MEDICATION
All the experts, found during this research, agreed that a veterinarian can prescribe medication if needed. “If the dog is panicked, anti-anxiety medication will go a long way to improve the dog’s quality of life,” Ballantyne says.
Always consult your vet if you are not sure what is best for your dog and if you think medication could help.
# BONUSTIP – DESENSITIZING
Dr. Ragen McGowan also suggests desensitizing your dog to the sounds of thunder. This means that you can play that thunder sounds softly in the background when something positive is happening like dinner or playtime.
Dogs’ memory is wired differently than ours and dogs remember things through associations rather than what happened five minutes ago. For example, if your friend gives your dog a lot of treats and playtime, that association is strong and positive.
When you do positive things with your dog every time you play those thunder sounds, it can make a big difference and build positive associations.
Dr. Ragen McGowan
Conclusion
Dog’s sense of smell is by far immensely better than humans and they can shut off their inner ear in order to filter out distracting sounds. Because of their excellent hearing and noses, dogs are able to hear thunder or storm before we can and may predict a storm is coming just by smelling changes in the environment.
Not all dogs are the same of course. Some will sleep and snore through thunderstorms and others may have a fearful response when there’s a loud sound in the environment.
According to veterinary behaviorists, we can ease our dog’s anxiety when it comes to thunderstorms by thunder shirt jacket, safe and comfortable place that dog chooses and soundproofing it, recording the behavior to know more, medication, and desensitizing our dog to the sounds of thunder.