My dog is afraid of thunderstorms—how can I help him?

First, a strong wind heralds the storm, then everything happens very quickly: heavy rain, loud thunder, bright flashes of lightning—the thunderstorm is here. How nice it is not to be out and about right now, but to be lying comfortably on the couch with your faithful four-legged friend close by your side.

But for many dogs, a thunderstorm is pure stress—even inside their own home. They suffer from severe thunderstorm anxiety. Find out here where this fear comes from and what you can do to help your dog overcome its fear of thunderstorms!

Why are many dogs afraid of thunderstorms?

It is natural for animals to shy away from the unknown—especially when it involves threatening stimuli that trigger strong emotions such as fear. Just as many dogs panic on New Year’s Eve because of the loud fireworks, they often feel intense fear during thunderstorms as well. 

Especially when they experience a thunderstorm for the first time, they may not fully understand the unpredictable, loud noises and the bright flashes of lightning. This makes it difficult for them to recognize the actual danger or assess whether there is any danger at all. This can lead to deep-seated anxieties that cause significant stress and distress.

The tricky part is this: each new experience with a thunderstorm doesn’t automatically lead to your dog getting used to it, but rather to increased sensitivity. So instead of calming down, in the worst-case scenario, your dog will become even more fearful with every thunderstorm.

What behaviors are typical in dogs that are afraid of thunderstorms?

Many dogs that suffer from thunderstorm anxiety don’t just react to obvious signs like thunder and lightning. They show clear changes in behavior as soon as the first “signs” of a storm appear. Dogs have much more sensitive hearing than we humans do. They can also detect fluctuations in air pressure that signal an approaching thunderstorm and become anxious even before we notice anything. It is only when thunder rumbles or lightning flashes across the sky that the cause of their fear becomes clear to us.

In addition, their fur can become electrically charged. Dogs that are already nervous and then get a shock from their wet nose may be startled even more as a result.

Typical signs that a dog is afraid of thunderstorms include

• Withdraw, for example, to the bathroom or another dark place
• Severe tremors
• Panting
• Refusal to eat
• Inability to relax
• Pacing nervously 
• dilated pupils

How can I calm my dog if he's afraid of thunderstorms?

As mentioned earlier, many dogs tend to become even more fearful with every new thunderstorm. That’s why it’s important to break this vicious cycle early on and take active steps to address their fear. 

The following three tips have proven helpful for many dogs that are afraid of thunderstorms:

1. Help your dog feel safe during thunderstorms

If a thunderstorm is approaching and you’re outside, go home as quickly as possible. Create a calm, safe environment for your dog once you’re inside. For example, close the curtains so he can’t see the flashes of lightning, and play soft music or turn on the TV to help drown out the thunder. Also, provide your dog with a safe haven where he can feel secure—this could be a cozy corner or his dog crate. 

Since dogs are highly sensitive to their owners’ moods, you should also try to project calmness and normalcy through your own behavior. If your dog is up for it, you can try distracting him by playing or cuddling together. Also, don’t leave your dog alone during a thunderstorm.

2. Work with your dog to help him overcome his fear of thunderstorms

A proven method for alleviating your dog’s fear of thunderstorms is a process known as desensitization. This involves repeatedly playing recordings of thunder sounds during relaxed moments, such as when cuddling or playing. Start off very quietly and gradually increase the volume. The goal is for your dog to learn to associate the sounds of a thunderstorm with positive experiences and perceive them as less threatening. 

You can also work with scents. In scent-based conditioned relaxation, for example, the dog is trained to associate certain scents with relaxation and calm. The process involves steps such as introducing the scent when the dog is already relaxed, gradually building a positive association between the scent and relaxation, and gradually generalizing the relaxation response to the scent. You can read more about exactly how this works in our blog post on conditioned relaxation. Our Relax Buddy Set is a helpful tool for this.

If your dog has already developed a full-blown phobia, you should seek help from an experienced dog trainer who can assist you in training your dog to overcome its fear of thunderstorms.

3. Use CBD for dogs that are afraid of thunderstorms

Many dog owners use CBD products for their dogs that are afraid of thunderstorms. These products can help calm the dog without sedating it.

CBD is a natural compound derived from the hemp plant that can naturally promote relaxation by calming the nervous system and reducing stress. CBD is available for dogs in various forms, such as oil or treats. Whether you choose CBD oil or treats is ultimately a matter of personal preference. However, these products can also be combined very effectively.