Treating thunderstorm anxiety

Does your pup cower in the corner at the first sight of a storm? It is common for dogs to go into panic mode due to the extremely loud sounds of thunder. The hearing ability of a dog is substantially greater than that of a human, making their ears very sensitive to noise. As your pup begins to age and hearing loss occurs, they may become even more fearful because they are no longer used to hearing low frequency sounds.

dogs scared and afraid of thunder

Thunderstorm panic ranges in severity from dog to dog. You will know that your dog is experiencing storm anxiety if he displays any of the following:

shaking and trembling
whimpering hysterically
hiding
bolting fitfully around the house

Do not fear if you detect any of these symptoms in your dog, there are ways to comfort them. The best way is to find a peaceful place where your fur child can wait out the storm. This could be a quiet room in your house or the home of your dog minder. Many owners have also had success pairing this technique with soothing music. There are also natural calming remedies available for dogs that can be given as soon as you anticipate a storm.

If none of these methods manage to reassure your pup, we recommend seeking the attention of your local vet for further advice.

Published by

Felicity Thompson

My name is Felicity Thompson and I grew up on a farm in Swan Hill. As a child, I loved animals and spent most of my free time caring for them. From horses to cats, dogs to sheep, they were all part of my life. My horse was named Sunshine and she was so gentle and kind – even as a young girl she could carry me around with ease! My dog was Max, a loyal and faithful companion who always had my back. I now write articles for pet blogs and websites. I'm passionate about helping people care for their animals in the best way possible – from providing proper nutrition to offering emotional support.