Released May 2, 2008
STILLWATER, Okla. -- When the sky darkens, the lightning strikes and the thunder begins to roll, many Oklahomans get a little nervous about the impending storm. However, humans are not the only ones whose heart rates elevate.
Fifi and Fido may also be feeling some storm anxiety, said Dr. Carolynn MacAllister, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service veterinarian.
“It’s very common for dogs to be scared of storms. They may whine, hide and tremble because of their fear. For some pets though, thunderstorm phobia can be very severe where the panicked pets display destructive behaviors such as chewing furniture to breaking windows and screened doors,” MacAllister said. “There are several aspects of the storm that may cause the anxiety such as the sound of the thunder, the flashes of lightning, the sound of rain hitting the pet’s home or the sound of wind blowing in trees.”
Some pets will start to show signs of anxiety prior to when the storm actually hits. She said some veterinary behaviorists believe the pet’s actions could be stimulated by the electrical charge in the air or even by the drop in barometric pressure that can occur before a storm.
There is research that indicates some breeds of dogs such as collies, German shepherds, beagles and basset hounds may be more likely to suffer with storm phobia. There also is a higher incidence of storm phobia behavior in dogs adopted from animal shelters and rescue operations.
“It’s possible that the rescue or shelter animals are more likely to have had frightening experiences in their lives and these animals may not be as well socialized,” MacAllister said. “Therefore, these animals are more likely to suffer with anxiety related behavior issues such as storm phobia.”
There are several things a pet owner can do to help Fido or Fifi conquer their fear of storms. MacAllister suggests consulting your pet’s veterinarian to determine which steps are best for the animal.
Desensitization is a behavior modification technique that can be used to gradually retrain the animal to not be afraid of storms. This method exposes the pet to stimuli similar to a storm such as an audio recording of thunder and pet owners reward the pet with treats and positive attention if they remain calm.
“Gradually increase the loudness or strength of the stimuli as therapy progress,” she said. “However, only provide reward if the pet exhibits peaceful behavior. This type of behavior modification should be administered only under the supervision of a veterinarian because if the treatment isn’t given properly, it could intensify the phobia.”
MacAllister said some veterinarians may prescribe medications that can be used to help relax and calm a pet during a storm.
No matter what type of treatment is given, it is vital to provide a safe place for a storm phobic pet to seek refuge when a storm does occur. In addition, make sure the safe place is available in the event pet owners are not home during a storm.
“Always try to provide a quiet, soothing environment for a storm phobic pet,” MacAllister said. “Don’t give your pet extra attention for being scared of a storm because they might associate a reward with scared behavior. Handle the pet in a quiet, soothing way and provide a place where it can feel secure.”
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http://www2.dasnr.okstate.edu/Members/trisha.gedon-40okstate.edu/pets-can-suffer-from-storm-anxiety
Contact: Trisha Gedon, (405) 744-3625, trisha.gedon@okstate.edu
