Weather Worries

Here in Colorado Springs, we have many afternoon thunderstorms in the summer. These storms can be very scary and difficult for certain pets (as can fireworks). It's always sad when we see an animal at the pet hospital who got injured from trying to hide or escape from their yard during a thunderstorm. They just don't understand what's going on.

Do any of you have pets that are scared of certain types of weather? Any fears about other sounds (such as the sound of the vacuum)? How do you help your pet in these situations? (photo from dreamstime.com)

--Dana

Comments

[Chris]

Our dog Katie gets scared of thunder and lightning. Typically she just has to snuggle real close to us when it's going on. Sometimes she'll also hide under the bed. Fortunately we are able to stay home with her when we need to so we can avoid leaving her at home when there are storms. It's funny that she gets so worried and our other dog Freddie seems like he could care less.

[Tammy]

We have four cats - only one of them is scared of thunder. Miss Girl and I always cuddle up together when it is storming. (I am afraid of thunder too!) The boys just come and check on us because they know we're scared!

Interestingly the vacuum doesn't bother Miss Girl. (she is scared of brooms though - we think in her past life she may have been whacked with one. She was abused until we rescued her.)

[Laurel]

Yep, my 120-pound male Chessie is a wimp when it comes to thunder. He's been really clingy lately, very keyed up. He won't go out the back door unless I go out first. In fact, he gets behind me and uses his nose to sort of push me out the door. Inside, he sticks so close to me that every time I turn around, I trip over him.

I feel bad for him. I think he picks up on the electricity and heightened energy in the air when there is a storm and he just doesn't know what to do with his anxiety.

I know many people have dogs who are really destructive during storms and that would be harder to handle. Any tips on thunder fear from our behaviorists readers?

[Ingrid]

My cat Amber hates thunderstorms - she hides in the downstairs bathroom behind the shower curtain during storms. I've found that Rescue Remedy helps a little bit.

I recently posted an article titled "Thunderstorm Anxiety in Your Pets" on The Conscious Cat, maybe it'll help some of your readers. Here's the link:

http://consciouscat.net/2009/06/11/thunderstorm-anxiety-in-your-pets/

[Dana]

Ingrid, thanks for this informative link for helping pets during thunderstorms! I'll be sure to visit it.

Our old german shepherd mix just HATES the thunder as well...she tries to wedge herself behind the couch, other chairs, or any other tight space she can find (much like Chris's dog Katie). I finally realized that maybe being inside her dog crate would calm her anxiety. It works pretty well. Now when she hears the thunder starting, she immediately runs to her crate. It seems to offer her some peace and sense of safety.

Laurel...knowing your sweet Chessie, I can see how difficult it would be when he gets scared...it's no fun tripping over a large dog like he is. Tammy, it sounds to me that you can relate to the fear of thunder. It makes sense when you think about it. Loud sounds like that can evoke such as visceral response in all of us. Thanks for sharing!