13 Ways To Help Keep Your Dog Calm During A Storm

Fear of storms is a common problem for dogs. If your dog gets nervous, anxious, panicky, or inconsolable during a storm, they suffer from storm anxiety. This fear of storms is called astraphobia, which is an extreme fear of thunder and lightning.

Each dog reacts to storms differently. Some may get a little nervous while others can suffer from extreme storm phobia. These dogs are often so storm sensitive that they’ll start getting nervous as soon as they sense a storm coming, detect changes in the barometric pressure, sense the increase in humidity, or smell rain in the distance.

For dogs that are scared of storms, storm season can be very stressful. Their anxiety over storms can interfere with their well-being and they can manifest their fear in varying degrees by:

• Panting
• Restlessness
• Shaking
• Drooling
• Hiding
• Trying to escape
• Chewing themselves
• Engaging in destructive behavior
• Panicking
• Vomiting
• Urinating or defecating indoors
• Aggression, in extreme cases

It’s important to realize that if your dog is scared of storms, they are reacting to the stress and anxiety the storm is causing them. They can’t help their response, no matter how irrational it may seem.

However, there are some things you can do to prevent or help elevate storm anxiety. And, since phobias can get worse if they go unchecked and as dogs get older, it’s best to try to get their anxiety under control before it escalates.

Here are some tips to help keep your dog calm during a storm:

1. Anticipate the storm

If you know a storm is coming, try to distract your dog by playing the television or radio, playing their favorite games, practicing fun tricks, or grooming them to help counter-condition them. Keep their environment upbeat and fun during the storm. Break out their all-time favorite toys or games. Reward them with extra yummy treats for their calm behavior or offer them a special chew to show them that life is still good, even when there is a storm outside.

2. Set the example

Try to stay relaxed and stick to your normal routine, no matter what is going on outside. Your dog is always reading your body language and looking to you for signals on how they should react and feel. They can and will mirror your stress and anxiety. Stay calm and confident to show them they have nothing to fear.

3. Don’t nurture fearful behavior

Sure, you want to be there to reassure your dog during a storm. But don’t inadvertently teach them that they should be fearful by rewarding or nurturing fearful behavior. Keep your voice upbeat and confident. Give them a reassuring pat and go about your business. If you’re relaxing, continue to look at your phone, read, or watch television while they sit next to you. Show them they have nothing to be afraid of by not fussing over them too much, thus inadvertently sending them the message that, yes-you should be terrified.

4. Close doors and windows

Help keep scary sights and sounds out of their safe space by closing doors, windows, and drapes. Move to an inner room or basement, if possible so they can’t see the flashes of lightning.

5. Give them a safe space

If your dog prefers to hide and ride out the storm, create a safe, comfortable space for them to hang out in. This could be their crate, laundry room, closet-anyplace that helps them feel secure. Include their bed and favorite chew toy. You can even consider hanging out with them. If you live where there are tornados, a safe space in your safe place is also a great idea.

6. Stay home or hire a sitter

If possible, stay home with your dog. If you can’t stay home and know a storm will be coming, be sure to keep your dog inside in a safe area that they can’t escape from or harm themselves. If this isn’t possible, consider asking a neighbor or friend to check in on your dog and keep them company during a storm.

7. Try an anti-anxiety shirt

Some dogs like the comfort and security an anti-anxiety shirt offers. For the best results, put their shirt on before the storm. But you’ll have to monitor how your dog feels about their shirt because some smart dogs will begin to recognize their shirt means a storm is coming and the shirt can turn into an anxiety trigger. Meanwhile, other dogs welcome the sight of their shirt because they know a storm is on the way long before we do.

8. Consider an anti-static shirt

Dogs are very sensitive to changes in the atmosphere. They can also sense the static charge in the air before a thunderstorm. Some dogs will even try to ground themselves before a storm by hiding behind objects, like a toilet or in a shower. For these dogs, an anti-static shirt or cape may help them feel more protected from lightning.

9. Calming supplements

There are many calming supplements on the market, such as CBD oil and chews, and products like Purina Calming Care. Since they are safe for most dogs, it’s worth a shot to see if they can help your pet.

10. Behavior modification

If none of this works, you may want to consult with a trainer or behaviorist to improve the quality of your dog’s life. A behaviorist can help you identify what is causing your dog’s fear so that you can develop an individual training or behavior modification program.

11. Electromagnetic Field Therapy

A product called Calmer Canine was designed to help dogs with separation anxiety but may also help some dogs with storm phobia. “Calmer Canine is a highly innovative, gentle, effective, safe, and drug-free treatment system for canine separation anxiety. The Calmer Canine device delivers targeted pulsed electromagnetic field (tPEMF) signals to the area of the brain responsible for causing the symptoms of anxiety, effectively returning the anxious brain to a more balanced emotional state – with long-lasting effects.”

12. Desensitization

It helps to do this before your dog has storm anxiety, but you can also help desensitize your dog once it starts to develop. The idea is that you expose them to a little bit of what is causing their fear in a controlled environment. So, you might softly play the sound of a thunderstorm (while it’s not storming) to help get them used to the sound. As long as they stay happy and relaxed, reward them for their good response. Over time, gradually increase the sound and continue to reward them thus creating a positive association with the sound. While this background noise can never replicate a real storm, it may help them be calmer overall.

13. Medication

You don’t want to medicate your dog if you don’t have to. But, in extreme cases, it may be a kinder approach. If your dog harms themselves, you, or other animals because they are panicked, it’s a good idea to talk to your vet about what medications may help.

We hope you find these tips helpful, and you and your dog ride out the next storm stress-free. As always, please feel free to share with your friends.

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