Thunderstorms!

With the recent storms we have had in Middle Tennessee the last few weeks, I thought I would do a quick post about thunderstorm anxiety in dogs. This is a common fear in dogs (and rarely cats). It is very important to understand and manage your pet’s thunderstorm fear. All too often, pets can get frightened and panic and end up running away or hurting themselves or your home. Dogs can sense the barometric pressure changing before a storm rolls in and can develop anxiety before the storm can be heard.

The first thing to do with all pets, and especially pets prone to panicking and bolting away from their home, is ensure they have proper identification. ID tags on the collar AND a microchip are very important in case your pet gets lost. All too often people report found dogs that have lost their collar and therefore their only identification. With a microchip, most shelters and veterinary clinics have a scanner that can identify the ID number and then get the owner’s contact information associated with that number. This is an invaluable resource, and I strongly believe all dogs, whether inside or out, should be micro-chipped.

Ok, so your pet has proper identification. Now what? First off, provide your dog with a “safe place.” Inside, that is typically a kennel or a bed in a corner. For an outside dog, a doghouse or pen that is covered (to limit their visual stimulation from the lightening) is ideal. When storms are coming, make sure your dog knows where their safe place is and take them there. If possible, stay with your dog and try to distract them with petting, brushing or playing. Dogs can sense your anxiety or nervousness, so make sure you stay calm as well!

If your dog becomes destructive when anxious, then a crate is your best bet. That really limits the trouble your pup can get into while stressed during the storms. If you are not crating your dog, keep all doors closed and draw the curtains on all the windows. Turning on the TV or music can help distract your dog from the thunder. Unfortunately, some dogs may urinate (or defecate) when extremely anxious and nervous. This is a normal response to fear, and your dog should not be punished for this behavior.

If you have followed these guidelines and tried to modify the environment to help your dog, and they still have extreme anxiety during storms, you may need to take additional measures. I hear nothing but good things about “Thunder Shirts” and other similar items. The concept behind these is to put a mild amount of pressure around your dog. This gentle pressure helps to calm the dog during times of anxiety. See their website for more information (I am in no way being paid to promote this product, FYI, I just think it works most of the time). Another option is to see a behaviorist and work on reconditioning. This can be time consuming but can be very beneficial for the dog. Many pet owners have found great success with behavior modification.

A final option is medication to help with thunderstorm anxiety. The most common medication used in dogs is typically diazepam (Valium). This medication can help with your dog’s thunderstorm anxiety and typically has minimal side effects. Medications should only be used as a last resort for your pet. If you think your pet has severe thunderstorm anxiety, please give us a call, and we can discuss an appropriate plan for your pet.

Thanks and Happy Thursday!

- H