There are some dogs who have an extreme fear of storms. Why are dogs afraid of storms, though? Dogs who are extremely afraid of storms can sense the storm coming and even before the first sound of thunder begin to panic. Dogs afraid of storms may pace, cry or hide before a storm even arrives.
Triggers
The commonly asked question: why are dogs afraid of storms ? Experts do not yet truly know the answer of why dogs are afraid of storms. There are several dog breeds which are more apt to develop a phobia of storms according to Tufts University. Herding breeds, for example, are more prone to develop a storm phobia. Dogs who show signs of separation anxiety are also more prone to develop a storm phobia.
Treatment
The treatment for a fear of storms is a little tricky as this will vary in each individual case. This is often not an easy fix, though. There are several options available to the pet parent to help ease their dog’s anxiety. A “safe” area to escape to when a storm is coming through may be the best option for many pet parents. Find out where your dog’s safe spot is and make him some type of comfortable laying area there. To do this, watch and see where your dog prefers to run to during a storm. A calming coat may also be an option. The calming coat can be purchased at many pet specialty stores. These provide a calming effect to your dog using compression; similar to a human baby’s swaddler.
Hiring a Professional
As stated, each individual case is different and may require a different approach. Hiring our in-house pet behaviorist should assist you in determining the best solution for your dog. You can reach her today and take a look at her services here.
Amber Johnson, Animal Behaviorist
Miss Amber Johnson has many years of experience with pets and is a licensed cat and dog nutrition and behavior specialist. She currently collaborates with PetPremium where she counsels clients in pet behavior and nutrition. The statements made in this article are the personal opinions of Miss Amber Johnson and based on independent experiences and could be different from the opinions of PetPremium Pet health Insurance or any other pet health insurance provider.