Calming the Anxious Pet When Thunder Rolls

                                                       

Reflecting back, my first memory of a family pet was when I was six years old and we had a collie mix named Dusty.  My next recollection is returning home one dark, stormy night to find Dusty pacing liking a caged lion on the patio roof of our garage.  When we departed that evening, Dusty was in the house.  How and why was he on the roof when we returned?

Fast forward more decades than I care to admit, and I now know how and why Dusty was on the roof. Dusty had storm anxiety, a phobia that many pets experience.  In my current pet family, Border Collie “Jimmy James Jones” has grown more than a little anxious when the wind picks up and thunder rolls.

If we are in bed when the weather turns ominous, we are certain to be body-slammed by a 50 pound sheep dog that plants himself on us in Marmaduke fashion, eyes wild with fear, tongue hanging from his mouth, panting mercilessly.  If a storm strikes during waking hours, Jimmy nosedives under a bed, or assumes the best fetal position he can in the most secluded spot in the house. Sound familiar??

Not only is Jimmy storm-phobic, he also has a fear of loud sounds. Fireworks are never a joy for him and our neighbor’s target shooting always sends him scurrying to the door to get back inside.  And, as is the case in my own family, other pets in the household may pick up on the anxious pet’s behavior and take on the phobia as well.  Jimmy’s Corgi sister, “Betsy Louise,” now displays mild anxiety as well when thunder rumbles.

So, what can you do if your pet is afraid of storms or has a fear of loud sounds? As always, prevention is best.  If at all possible, expose your pet to loud sounds it may encounter as an adult, during its socialization period (9 to 16 weeks of age for dogs, and 2-12 weeks for cats). 

If your pet is acting fearful during its socialization period when it hears loud sounds, use what I call a “jolly up routine.”  Lighten your tone of voice as soon as your pet shows any sign of anxiety and act silly!  With your squirrelly-girlie voice and a smile on your face say “Isn’t this fun! We’re having a good time! Yeah!” Act as playful as you can to change your pet’s focus.  As soon as it’s apparent that your pet is transitioning from anxiety to play, reward it with a treat, petting, or by playing with a favorite toy.

When your pet shows a hint of storm anxiety, you should try the same “jolly up” approach, being careful not to reinforce the fearful behavior by coddling your pet with excessive verbal or physical reassurance.  In fact, ignoring the anxiety behavior entirely is often the best approach. 

Bear in mind your pet will often know a storm is approaching before you do, either because it senses a change in barometric pressure, the smell of rain or the sound of thunder. If you know bad weather is in the forecast, consider employing the following comfort measures well BEFORE the storm arrives:

1)      Place your pet in a familiar room that lacks windows. Turn on a radio or television to provide white noise that is louder than the thunder.

2)      Consider using a compression shirt (“Thunder Shirt”) for cats and dogs to ease your pet’s anxiety. The pressure of the shirt elicits a calming effect, much like swaddling a baby.

3)      Apply a dog-appeasing pheromone called DAP, first found in lactating females, that is available in collar and spray form.  A similar pheromone called Feliway is based on catnip and may work for anxious cats.  Feliway is available as a spray, diffuser, or wipe.  Both pheromones may provide a calming effect for your pet.

Please discuss your pet’s behavioral issues and phobias with your veterinarian. She can give you a treatment plan to help you and your pet cope. This plan may include calming drug therapy initially while you begin behavior modifications that will be more natural and enduring.

As for Dusty who chewed and scratched his way out of the house to where he thought he would be safe from the storm, his was a rude awakening when he was actually out in the middle of the storm. On the other hand, Jimmy, the smart Border Collie, figured out that seeking a hiding spot that blocks out sound and lightning is a better way to go.  


By Dr. Bonnie Jones