Storm phobia in dogs
Is your dog anxious and distressed during a storm? They might experience storm phobia, a very common anxiety condition in dogs. It’s very upsetting to see storm phobia in an otherwise peaceful pet. Even before a storm has begun, your dog may show the common symptoms of storm phobia include;
- Anxious pacing
- Clingy behaviour
- Drooling and heavy panting
- Whining and/or howling
- Tail between their legs, ears down and pulled back
- Trembling
- Involuntary urinating
- Hiding
- Destructive behaviours associated with this anxiety; trying to escape, clawing and biting through doors or walls, chewing through carpets and flooring, jumping out of windows, jumping over fences
It’s hard to relieve the pet that gets too worked up and help ease their fears until well after a storm has passed. The phobia usually begins in the dog’s early years, between one and two years of age. It’s important to try and kerb the behaviours of storm phobia as soon as they show so they don’t set in and exacerbate over time. Some herding breeds are said to be predisposed, such as Border Collies.
Triggers
Dogs with this phobia are set off by one or a combination of triggers when a storm is near or approaching. Triggers can include;
- heavy wind
- thunder
- sudden drop in barometric pressure
- thunderclaps and low frequency rumbles
- static electricity that precedes a storm
- a change in smell even
- lightning
- heavy rain
- Loud noises such as fireworks and gunshots may also set off a dog that associates loud noises with a storm
Triggers are often too sensitive for human senses to detect or feel compared to dogs, that’s because a dog’s senses are far more sensitive than human senses. There is theory that dogs may even feel painful shocks from the static build-up in storms. A storm related panic attack in your dog is real and the pet shouldn’t be chastised or ignored as it will only make the panic and anxiety worse for them, instead it is best to go by the current veterinary recommended treatment schedule.
Treatment:
Unfortunately, there is no ‘cure’ for storm phobia in dogs but rather a course of treatments. The sooner the condition is detected and treated in a dog the better their outcomes, because if left untreated it can set in and increase over time. Veterinarians recommend a combination of 1. behaviour modifications; 2. desensitizing the dog from the fear before a storm sets in, 3. providing support for the dog if/when they begin to develop signs including environmental changes, and 4. medication when you know a big storm is on the way.
What Owners Can Do:
You can help your dog cope during or before a storm by
- Providing a safe space inside. A hard crate is very useful during storms. Try covering it with a sheet or a towel. Otherwise, consider a safe room, a small bathroom or laundry, with their bedding. Make sure you close all blinds and curtains, so the dog can’t see outside. If in a crate or room, give your dog the opportunity to move in and out of that space (into another room in the house) because being confined to one small space can give dogs another reason to panic. No one wants a big hole freshly scratched through the bathroom door.
- Create distraction: Play soothing and familiar music to drown out the storm noise. If they are able, consider playing inside with your dog and reward them for positive calm behaviours with a treat and their favourite toys. Remember to reward calm behaviour all the time, too (not just during storms). One behaviouralist recommends having the dog’s leash put on inside the house and allow the dog to sit beside their owner, with praise and rewards for calm behaviour.
- Try a compression garment. There are tight-fitting vests/suits for dogs on the market which are said to alleviate anxious pets by applying pressure to their body, just like swaddling a baby. You can try to make one for your pet at home by using an old shirt that is a few sizes small on them, ensuring it fits snug on their torso.
- Medication. Not all dogs that experience storm phobia need medication, however some experience such high anxiety that not giving them medical support is just cruel. If a pet is extremely distressed by storms, talking with your veterinarian about prescribing medication is a sensible solution. It is easier to soothe a pet and keep them safe if they are medicated, in these instances.
- Desensitization; in between storms, it’s recommended to desensitize anxious dogs from some of the triggers of storms. You can download thunderstorm and rain sounds from the internet (e.g., YouTube). Rewarding the dog with treats and playing games whilst the music is on very gently, whilst slowly making the sound louder over weeks and months. Unfortunately, desensitizing techniques are limited, as they won’t replicate the other sensory triggers of storms (like barometric pressure drop, wind and smell), ideally some of the sounds associated with storms will become less frightening in your dog and diminish panic. This approach will take time and patience.
Although it seems natural to us, try not to console a frightened/alarmed pet during a storm, as this will interpret as reward to them and encourage the anxious and clingy behaviour. Neither should you chastise or punish their anxious behaviour. Instead, simply provide a safe and secure space for them to ride out the storm, supporting them with whatever is recommended by their vet (and stay calm, too!); be it a crate, a safe room, thunder-vest, desensitizing music, and/or medication. Ultimately, there is no quick-fix or cure for storm phobia in dogs. The current worldwide professional veterinary consensus for treating storm phobias is a combination of behaviour modification, altering the animal’s environment, medication if needed, and a calm and patient owner.
Mittagong Veterinary Hospital © 2022
Image: iStock Photography
Published 6th December 2022