Stormy Weather & Sensitive Dogs: What Can you do to Help

Thunder, lightning, and heavy rain can overwhelm many dogs - especially sensitive or overseas rescues. Here are practical ways to ease their stress

We were on storm watch here today. Tramp never used to be bothered by thunderstorms when he was younger - but as he’s gotten older, he’s started to become quite anxious whenever a storm hits, or even when one is approaching.

Did you know your dog can sense a storm long before it arrives?

Many Dogs can be incredibly sensitive to changes in barometric (atmospheric) pressure - the pressure in the air that drops when a storm is approaching – so you may find if you have a sensitive or anxious dog, they will start to act unsettled, clingy, or restless long before you hear or see any visible signs of a storm.

This pressure change can cause physical sensations - like ear discomfort, joint pain, or even nausea - and for dogs with past negative experiences, it can signal that something scary (like a storm or fireworks) is on the way.

So, if like my boy Tramp, your dog seems uneasy even when the skies are clear, they might just be picking up on what’s coming in the air. Literally.

Lightening Tracker Apps

One thing I do to remain aware of what may be happening around us, is to have a lightening tracker app on my phone.

There have been many occasions where the app has told me there is lightening not too far away, but we never actually see a storm – this helps me to understand what may be going on for my boy if I see him looking unsettled/anxious but can’t figure out why.

Becoming more sensitive to noise, storms, fireworks etc. is something that often develops as dogs move into their senior years (although dogs of any age can of course struggle).

My big beautiful sensitive boy is very well supported when his anxiety kicks in, so I wanted to share how we handle thunderstorms here at DogsPOV HQ - in case it helps you support your own sensitive soul.

Recommendations to Help Your Storm Sensitive Dog:

Reassure your dog if that’s what they need or look for – it’s absolutely fine to stroke or cuddle them if that’s what they want.
Let them choose where to go – many dogs naturally seek out a safe space. Tramp has always liked ‘den’ spaces, and I’ve created more of these for him as he’s aged and become generally more anxious.
Create ‘safe spaces’ that are always available – these could be open crates, tables (you can quickly pop a blanket over) desks or even just space behind sofa's or in between chairs.
Don’t overdo the attention – try to avoid fussing or repeatedly offering food/treats. Just keep an eye on them, offer support, and appreciate they may want space instead.
Rescue Remedy - goes into their water bowl, and I use music throughout the storm cycle.
- Before the storm: I play calming music as soon as Tramp shows signs of unease – which can be many hours before hand (it’s even been the night before on occasions – barometric pressure)
- During the storm: I switch to music with a heavier beat or rhythmic bass to help mask the sound of thunder.
- After the storm: Back to calming music again to help him rebalance.
White noise from appliances – If the storm is especially loud or your dog is particularly sensitive, you could also try running the washing machine or tumble dryer (as long as those don’t worry your dog).
Battery-powered speaker on standby – I always make sure my little wireless speaker is fully charged (along with my phone) so we can keep music going even if the power gets knocked out.

Walks

If you have a dog that is ok to miss a walk, you could take the day off from walks if storms are likely, to avoid getting caught out in it. Replace your usual walk time with other activities & exercise - training games, scavenger hunt trails or even a game of hide & seek - whatever your dog enjoys doing.

If you have a dog that really needs to go for at least a short walk (like mine) obviously aim to time it so you don't get caught out in the actual storm, have a shorter walk and stick to a familiar route, ideally close to home so you can quickly get back to safety if needs be.

Other things that might help:
🐕Thundershirt/anxiety wraps
🐕Weighted blanket
🐕Pheromone diffusers (pet remedy)
🐕TTouch/massage if your dog likes to be touched
🐕Staying home if storms are predicted

If you have a dog that gets seriously stressed or panicked by storms and bad weather - Speak to your Vet about the options available for prescribing some fast acting, short lasting medication that might help them ❤️

Categories: : Fearful Romanian Dogs, Living with Romanian Rescue Dogs