Plan ahead for your pet’s storm anxiety

By Dr. Beth Leermakers

Pacing. Panting. Trembling. Whining or barking. Hiding. Clinging to you. Destroying walls or furniture. If your dog hunkers down in the closet or hides under your bed before the thunder even starts, you know what I’m talking about. Many dogs (and some cats) have thunderstorm phobia — a persistent and exaggerated fear of storms or the stimuli associated with storms. This phobia is complicated and sometimes difficult to manage because it involves physiologic, emotional and behavioral components.

This past week has been extremely stressful for my foster dog, who experiences mild storm anxiety. He paces, pants, barks and won’t settle down. Recently treated for heartworm disease, Koal needs to stay calm, without an elevated heart rate, during his recovery period. Unfortunately one of the physiological responses of anxiety is an increase in heart rate. Uh oh …

What triggers 

storm anxiety?

Veterinarians don’t know all the triggers but suspect that fearful dogs react to some combination of wind, thunder, lightning, barometric pressure changes, static electricity and low-frequency rumbles preceding a storm that humans can’t hear. According to one theory, dogs experience painful shocks from static buildup before the storm.

Although storm anxiety is difficult to cure, you can take several steps to manage it. Many of these tips also apply to cats, although kitties may need different medications. Talk with your veterinarian.

Create a relaxing environment. Think day spa for your dog.

Play relaxing music or white noise to mask the thunder. I played spa music to soothe Koal. It calmed me down even if it didn’t help the dog. 

Create a safe haven. Let your dog hang out in a safe place in an interior room without windows — with you in the room, when possible. Watch where your dog goes when the storm is brewing, and make that place comfortable. Put a dog bed in your pup’s favorite closet, and leave the door open. Your dog may prefer to retreat to her crate, with the door open. Feeling confined can increase anxiety and lead to destroying crates or drywall to escape, so avoid locking your dog in her crate or in a room by herself.

Distract your pooch with a puzzle or chew toy. I gave Koal a Kong filled with biscuit pieces and smeared with peanut butter. Licking something can be calming, so a Lick Mat may help. You can use a plastic or silicone ice cube tray or a silicone baking sheet. Just spread peanut butter (or natural yogurt or wet dog food) on the “mat” and let your dog lick it. Freezing it will make it last longer. 

Try anxiety vest/shirt/cape. The Thundershirt and Anxiety Wrap apply gentle pressure to the dog’s torso, reducing fear by maintaining “swaddling” pressure and applying acupressure. The Storm Defender cape has a metallic lining that reduces dogs’ anxiety by shielding them from static charge buildup. 

Although research regarding their effectiveness is limited, these calming garments may work for some dogs. In one 2013 study of 18 dogs, after using the Anxiety Wrap five times, 89 percent of the dog owners reported that the Anxiety Wrap was at least partially effective in treating their dog’s thunderstorm phobia. A 2009 study of the Storm Defender found a statistically insignificant trend toward the cape performing better than a placebo cape. These garments won’t hurt your dog, and all three products come with a money-back guarantee, so it can’t hurt to try one. Get your dog used to wearing one before a thunderstorm hits. 

Behavior modification. Classical conditioning — pairing a fear-triggering stimulus (dark sky, rain, thunder) with a favorite treat and/or toy — can work well. This creates a positive association, such as dark sky = cheese or thunder = hot dogs, so  your pup looks forward to something very special when the storm develops, instead of reacting in fear. Ideally, you should start classical conditioning when your dog is a puppy, so she learns that the outcome of the storm is something positive. 

“What often times begins with a noise sensitivity/phobia to the sound of thunder, can very quickly develop into a more severe storm anxiety,” warns Tiffany Baker, the owner of Boss Babe Dog Training in Dallas. Baker, who’s a Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA) specializing in behavior modification, particularly with fearful and aggressive dogs, says: “The dog feels the barometric pressure change, the sky grow dark, the light drizzle, and is in a state of distress simply anticipating the scary sounds, startling vibration and sudden flash of light. Even if it starts with mild barking or whining (which it often does), it’s very important to begin behavior modification as well as management and potential medication sooner rather than later to prevent worsening anxiety. A certified professional behavior consultant, such as myself, or a Veterinary Behaviorist can assist you with a plan of action to help your dog feel safe again.”

Dog-appeasing pheromones. Calming pheromones like those included in Adaptil diffusers, collars and sprays may be helpful. Like with the pressure garments, there’s limited research support for the effectiveness of pheromones in reducing noise anxiety. 

Prescription medications. If your dog experiences severe storm anxiety, he may need anti-anxiety medication. Several classes of medications may be helpful, including Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) (e.g., fluoxetine/Prozac), Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., clomipramine/Clomicalm), benzodiazepines (e.g., Clonazepam/Klonopin), and Serotonin Antagonist Reuptake Inhibitors (e.g., Trazodone). Talk with your veterinarian about what medication(s) are right for your anxious dog. 

The best approach to managing storm anxiety is a combination of environmental management, behavior modification and (in severe cases) prescription medication.

Armed with these strategies, you can help your dog weather the next storm with less stress for everyone.