Dogs have better hearing. My dog pretty much hates when a thunderstorm comes through. if you were using the vacuum cleaner, and went towards him, you would bump his feet and he would look at what you did then stare up at you with the look of "wait till your ass goes to sleep.". If the presence of the behavior becomes persistent or excessive then it is considered a phobia. Many dogs have a general noise phobia. Why are cats scared of thunder? report. For many dogs, thunderstorms mean fear and trembling -- for the unluckiest dogs, they mean outright panic. Here’s your storm cookie!” Couple this with happy requests for simple obedience commands your dog knows well, such as sit. To stop this behavior if the dog is frightened to take a damp towel and damp the dogs fur down with the towel that has been soaked in water. Probably the best treatment is avoidance. During future storms, the cat hunkered down, hair coat raised, tail bushy and hissed and spit. For example, thunder is accompanied by changes in barometric pressure, lightening and rain, and your dog’s fearful response may be to the combination of these things and not just the thunder. Thunderstorm phobia occurs in both dogs and cats, but dogs are often more susceptible to this type of fear. Vets call it storm phobia. It is usually conducted with simultaneous counterconditioning. It can be related to a fear of other loud noises, such as fireworks. my last cat didnt let anything get to him. I know dobes as a breed don't like loud noises, but she gets frightened even when the thunder is distant and not that loud. With every crack of thunder, respond, “Whoopee! Fears of People, Places, and Noises. save. Somebody hasn't met many dogs or cats. It would be funny since she's a 90 pound dobe, except that when i find her, her entire body is shaking and she's clearly terrified. Why are dogs afraid of thunder and fireworks? The cats slept through it. Cats usually prefer to hide rather than pace, so trouble is minimized. Some dogs are afraid of thunder due to the electromagnetic electricity in the air. Why Your Dog is Afraid of Thunder and What to Do. Dogs have jumped through windows, bitten when handled or eaten through walls. Well, due to dog’s keen senses they may experience a variety of things during a thunderstorm that go virtually undetected by us humans. Not all dogs are afraid of fireworks, but it’s important to remember your dog will take cues from you. But, the question remains, why are dogs afraid of thunder in the first place? It makes no noise, but he always looks at it when he is in the room and if someone turns it on while he is looking at it he runs. Some theories include the loud sound of the thunder, the flashes of light from the strikes of lightning, the change in the air pressure or even just the change in daily routine (an afternoon storm means no walk). Dogs with astraphobia may or may not be afraid of other loud noises. To circumvent this obstacle to training it should be arranged that the cat is hungry prior to the storm arriving (the weather channel is helpful here) and, in addition, only delicious, practically irresistible food treats should be used. Few species – including humans – are happy to endure the sounds of a full-blown thunderstorm, complete with darkened skies, lightning and crashing thunder. If you would like to learn more about how this condition affects dogs, please visit this page in the petMD health library. I'm in southeastern MD and we also had a wicked thunderstorm move through here this evening, and she hid under the bed the entire time. It got to the point that all I had to do was push the Eject button on the CD player and just the sound of the tray sliding open was enough to settle her down. A theory that dogs suffer painful shocks of electricity caused by a build up of static before a storm hits. Cats are a lot easier than dogs as far as anxieties such as separation anxiety. But then some have a sudden exacerbation of their fear a few years later for no apparent reason. Not all dogs are afraid of thunder and other noises. But when an animal gets completely distraught at the first roll of thunder and harms himself to avoid the perceived mortal threat, then we are talking about phobia. Why does my routing go to New York then Montreal? Good question, I never really thought of it but I think they are.They just don’t show it as much. By Daphne Sashin. Find out what causes thunderstorm phobia in dogs and learn how to manag… Cats are far less destructive than dogs when I go out to the store or to work. If we're outside on a walk though, he doesn't seem to care much. What to do if you have a dog with storm phobia. We have articles and information, pet store, free petsites, ask the vet, contests, breeds and breeders, bulletin board, dog parks, lost and found, pet cemetery and more. A dog afraid of thunder can have a variety of reactions, from mild to extreme. Dogs and cattle often demonstrate this phobia. Why are dogs afraid of thunder but not cats? They hide; the storm passes; they emerge unscathed. Keep giving them the special treat. Noise phobias can include fear of thunderstorms, fireworks, gunshots, and even the sound of birds. Dogs develop fear responses for a number of reasons. Why are dogs afraid of thunder but not cats? Shockingly, the answer isn’t as straightforward as you might assume. Common noise phobias are in reaction to thunder, fireworks, hot air balloons, trash trucks or construction equipment. Our summary Opinion is: CBD for dogs scared of thunder Convinced, why itself a Attempt determines should be worth. Microsoft is working on a 'sweeping visual rejuvenation' for Windows. All dogs can experience and exhibit signs of fear. Nobody is 100% sure of all the factors, but it’s fairly safe to assume it is a product of evolution, that for survival it makes sense to fear and to escape an approaching storm. This aversive event confirms and magnifies their suspicions of the malevolence and danger implicit in storms. Thunderstorm phobia is really uncommon in cats, but it does sometimes occur under unusual circumstances. Just like people, every single dog is a weird dog in their own way. I don't get it, and he won't talk about it. is a good ploy, but stress may make food unappetizing to your cat. 50% Upvoted. Perhaps you adopted your dog from a rescue shelter, and you don't know much about his past, but he flips out anytime he hears loud noises, like books falling off shelves or doors slamming. Some dogs afraid of thunder are actually exhibiting fear of the environmental changes that they experience prior to a storm’s arrival. Sit! Many cats, quite sensibly, tend to become nervous during storms and may remove themselves from the fray by hiding under a bed or in a cupboard. A dog afraid of thunder can have a variety of reactions, from mild to extreme. Is your dog scared of thunder and storms? Some confirmation of this is provided by the fact that large thick-coated dogs are most commonly affected by severe thunderstorm phobia. Once a dog has developed a full-blown phobia, however, fear of storms can be dangerous to all. Dogs may pant, whine, bark, hide, tremble, pace, spin, scratch and/or paw at windows and doors, and may become extremely destructive and panicked to the point of hurting themselves. First is the issue about the intelligence of dogs and cats. The dog was a mess. We need to try to understand why they may hide under the bed or in the bathroom. Dogs that eventually become phobic often show fear of storms in the first year or two of life, but this fear is mild to moderate in intensity. Cats are also easier to train and will even train themselves. Some of them might be unavoidable, so we'll also show you how to can reduce their fear in certain situations. The IHC Group. If these techniques aren’t used correctly, they won’t be successful and can even make the problem worse. Owners who see their dogs experiencing this fear usually feel helpless and frustrated. Cattle that become spooked and stampede off a cliff or dogs that hurl themselves from third story windows during a storm make the case. All Rights Reserved, Usually mild – large pupils, hiding, anti-social behavior. Their fear can come from the combination of loud sounds, bright flashes of light, and changes in the pressure and static electricity in the air. My dog hates my theater unless there's a thunderstorm. Noise phobias can include fear of thunderstorms, fireworks, gunshots, and even the sound of birds. Symptoms and Types. Thunderstorm phobia occurs in both dogs and cats, but dogs are often more susceptible to this type of fear. To live and witness our beloved dog going into a full blown panic attack with each rumble, truly is devastating. Some confirmation of this is provided by the fact that large thick-coated dogs are most commonly affected by severe thunderstorm phobia. They are individuals, some are afraid, some aren't. Fear of thunderstorms is made worse for some pets because their people mishandle the early signs of fear either by soothing the pets or punishing them. For example, if your dog develops a fear of thunder, she may also become afraid of dark thunderclouds, and windy conditions which usually precede thunder and lightning. Cats are aware that they’re predators and also prey. It is reasonable and biologically sensible to be a little uneasy during a lightning storm – to avoid open spaces and seek cover. Some dogs eventually learn to stay in one safe place during storms, too, but often not until after the fact. Raise the volume slowly, over several days. Shes in the basement right now in fact b/c it's thundering here. They usually display by hiding. Since pet parents aren’t always aware that the signs they are seeing are an indication of fear, or that they could be treated medically, they may not even realize they should bring the topic up with their veterinarian. Not every dog is afraid of thunderstorms, but for those that are, it’s seriously scary. However, this doesn't mean cats aren't sensitive to smell. You get to work with a lot of different breeds of dogs which have many different temperament and have developed individual and unique character. There are a number of dogs who get the shivers when the thunder starts to rumble in the sky. Nothing personal 'cos I think they are beautiful, majestic dogs too, but I don't agree with clipping their ears and tails either. When Your Dog Is Afraid of Storms. Why thunderstorm phobia? Dogs generally develop a fear for loud sounds. Usually, those quirks are some kind of ridiculously funny phobias. The most obvious reason is due to the loud noise of the thunder. Using food to train the cat to respond to some voice cues (Come here! off the floor attached by a rod to a vaulted ceiling. There are probably multiple reasons for thunderstorm phobia, and the reasons vary from dog to dog. There is no way to know for certain what causes a dog to become afraid of thunderstorms. Dogs with thunderstorm phobia become extremely frantic and overwhelmed with fear during storms. Dogs that find these changes particularly disturbing may associate the unsettling sensations with the thunder that is sure to follow. This self-preservation response qualifies as a fear. Forum discussion: We had quite a nasty storm blow through today, with lots of lightening, thunder, strong gusting rains and even hail. Experts aren't sure exactly why dogs are scared of thunderstorms. What this means is encouraging the cat to do something pleasurable and distracting during the storm so that he associates storms with fun times instead of fear. Though vets aren’t sure what all the triggers are, they do suspect that a full-blown storm phobia is caused by some combination of barometric pressure changes, static electricity, wind, thunder, lightning, and low-frequency rumbles that come ahead of a storm. But when an animal gets completely distraught at the first roll of thunder and harms himself to avoid the perceived mortal threat, then we are talking about phobia. Astraphobia is the technical term for this: the fear of thunder and lightning. Noise phobias can include fear of thunderstorms, fireworks, gunshots, and even the sound of birds. Why Are Pets Afraid of Thunder and Lightning? Stimuli that elicit fear include rain, lightning thunder, strong winds, and possibly changes in barometric pressure and static electricity. Symptoms and Types I had a cat that was an outside cat when I adopted him. They don't do that in Europe, and the dogs are just fine..... Cats and dogs both know that when they hear thunder, another dog was killed by God. Then it becomes a safe spot. This stops the electromagnetic charge they feel on their fur. For a few years he slept in my garage at night. Distant, low-frequency rumbles of thunder that are beyond human hearing but are loud to the sensitive hearing of a dog. Sort by. Why Do Dogs Hate Thunderstorms? hide. Is this normal? Google Adsense---> Dog Behavior, Scared Dog, Fearful Dog Training Treating A Thunder Phobic Dog or Dog Afraid of Thunder and Noise Treating A Dog Scared Of Thunder Storms Thunderstorm phobia in dogs can be one of the most stressful behavior problems to overcome. Even beeping from the microwave, or the vacuum cleaner sounds scare my dog because it's hurting her ears. Anxiety-reducing pharmacological treatment. It hurts the shit out of their ears when it thunders. The way to a cat's heart is through his stomach and that maxim applies just as well when his knees are shaking as it does at other times. The following is an excerpt from the Petfinder Blog.. Dr. Lauren Brickman writes a pet health and care column for Petside.com. Desensitization. There are two roads I could go down here. Whenever she'd start to get out of line (and not respond to commands--she was pretty well-trained but had a blindspot or two) I'd pop a sound effects CD in and play a blast of thunder and Unruly Dog Behavior would end instantly. if all that's left are cats and roaches, the cats will kill the roaches. A: Many dogs are afraid of thunder simply because they do not understand what it is. Apart from this, dogs are also afraid of thunder due to Astraphobia. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. 10/22/2016 0 Comments Lightening and Thunder. My Border Collie was afraid of thunder and we were able to use this to our advantage. E-mail client alternatives to Thunderbird. That was a fun one! For your relief, dog scared of thunder is a common behavior in dogs. If you would like to learn more about how this condition affects dogs, please visit this page in the petMD health library. My cat runs upstairs and hides under the beds when she hears thunder. Dogs hear this loud noise and perceive it as something threatening. Dogs can be afraid of a wide variety of things, including thunder. A: Many dogs are afraid of thunder simply because they do not understand what it is. Dogs may pant, whine, bark, hide, tremble, pace, spin, scratch and/or paw at windows and doors, and may become extremely destructive and panicked to the point of hurting themselves. Cats and small dogs may be somewhat immune to such static shocks. Come spring, many dog parents find themselves asking: why are dogs afraid of thunderstorms? The noise and flashing lights are just a couple of the many reasons why dogs are scared of fireworks. When you understand the reason for your dog’s fear, it’s easier to find ways to help him stay calm. Dog Behavior Quiz : Cat Behavior Quiz : Common Behavior Problems . If the cat can be brought to an area of the house, like a finished basement, that is relatively sound and light proof the problem can be averted and contained. Some become extremely fearful to the point where they show a full-blown phobia. Cats and small dogs may be somewhat immune to such static shocks. My dog is terrified of thunderstorms. They will often go to the bathtub or shower at such a time. Dogs and Cats Pet Care and Advice plus Wild Animals. My last cat could care less. Fireworks and thunderstorms freak out some dogs. While dog experts may not know the exact triggers that set a dog’s storm phobias off, research has shown that it’s actually a combination of things, including (of course) thunder, lightning, wind, static electricity, low-frequency sounds following a storm that are inaudible to humans, and even changes in the barometric pressure. A: Many dogs are afraid of thunder simply because they do not understand what it is. Although you can simply leave scared cats alone, it is more humane to condition them out of their fear using delicious food treats. They may pace anxiously and seek their owner's company for protection. Other creatures, like cats, are probably far from comfortable, but most don't become overtly phobic – although there are exceptions. When they hear thunder sounds and can’t identify if it’s a predator chasing them, they get scared. Why are dogs afraid of thunder but not cats? lol mine did it the same.. but I will never ever forget the time a huge thunderstorm was around and I was on my bed and my dog was in the kitchen laying down.. As soon as he heard the thunder I saw his little big head peak around the corner with the "I'm scared eyes" all I had to do was pat the bed and he jumped right up and stuck his nose under my arm. Often times, when your dog is afraid of thunder, it’s because of the lack of exposure, which can cause panic and fear. Why does cats hate water, and dogs love it? Before considering the specifics of thunderstorm phobia in cats, it is worth emphasizing that fear is a normal response to a fear-inducing situation or circumstance, whereas phobias are extreme and seemingly irrational fears in which the response has been magnified to the point of dysfunction. Cats are afraid of thunder because they don’t know that the loud noise isn’t a threat. The simple answer may be that some cats do suffer from storm anxiety, but they employ different methods to cope with it. It can be heartbreaking to watch: Even before the first clap of thunder, otherwise well-behaved dogs begin to pace, pant, cling to their owners, hide in the closet, or jam themselves behind the toilet. These types of fears may develop even though your dog has had no traumatic experiences associated with the sound. This thread is archived. Cats usually prefer to hide rather than pace, so trouble is minimized. During a thunderstorm, try to provide a background noise for your dog, such as TV or radio. It would be funny since she's a 90 pound dobe, except that when i find her, her entire body is shaking and she's clearly terrified. A cat suffering from a substantial fear of loud noises may begin to display anxious behavior before the thunder begins. Many fear related problems can be resolved but if left untreated, your dog's … Specifically, some phobic dogs may become so because they receive a painful static electric shock during a particularly severe electric storm. Dogs who do not like the sound of firecrackers may become fearful of the children who have the firecrackers or may become afraid to go in the backyard, if that's where they usually hear the noise. It is unknown why some pets become afraid of noises such as thunder and fireworks; it is a common problem in dogs, but less so in cats. If you have been around dogs as much as i am. Why Are Dogs Afraid of Thunderstorms? Dogs generally develop a fear for loud sounds. Play it low enough not to bother them. Learn why and how you can help soothe your dog. Some dogs afraid of thunder are actually exhibiting fear of the environmental changes that they experience prior to a storm’s arrival. But the only reaction you'll get from my dogs is maybe a few barks when they hear the distant thunder, but they completely ignore thunder when it is close by. Rarely severe – feline affective defense response, which includes large pupils, hair coat raised, tail bushy, body hunkered down and tense, hissing and spitting. It is unknown why some pets become afraid of noises such as thunder and fireworks; it is a common problem in dogs, but less so in cats.