Thunder can be very scary for dogs, and many dogs develop anxiety just prior to, and during a thunderstorm. It can be tough to console a dog who has thunder phobias, but there are many things you can try to help alleviate your dog’s fear the next time severe weather comes your way.
Quick tips
- Try playing the radio or the TV to help drown out the noise
- Give your pet something else to focus on: a game, a bone, a game of tag, etc
- Keep your pet in a windowless room in the center of the house, such as a closet or bathroom
- Desensitize your dog to the sounds by playing a CD of thunder on a low volume and giving your pet cookies and praise
Natural remedies
- Rescue Remedy, a natural calming flower-based supplement, can be used for some dogs
- Dog appeasing pheromones, a synthetic copy of a mother dog’s pheromones, are available as a spray, collar or diffuser that can be used during storms
Supportive clothing
- Body wraps like the ThunderShirt can help to calm and reassure your nervous dog
- Special clothing can be used to reduce the amount of electromagnetic charges in the air that your dog could be sensitive to
Consult your vet
- When other remedies don’t work, you can consult your veterinarian to discuss using prescription tranquilizers or anti-anxiety medications to ease her suffering during thunderstorms
- They can refer you to a behaviorist or trainer in your area who can work with you to desensitize your pooch to the noise
If your dog fears thunder, dark clouds in the sky can bring a feeling of dread. But if you are prepared, your pet’s next thunderstorm experience could be much more pleasant than her last.
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