The return of Spring also marks the return of thunderstorms. For some dogs, storms can be an incredibly stress-inducing experience. Here we explain why your dog is scared of thunder, how to tell if they’re anxious during a storm, and most importantly what you can do to help keep them calm.
Why some dogs are scared of thunder
Many pet parents believe the loud noises during storms are solely responsible for making their dog anxious, and while that certainly is a big part of it, there are several other factors at play too.
Here’s your fun fact for the spring: your dog can actually sense when a storm is coming. Thanks to their ability to hear sounds four times further away than humans, dogs are likely able to hear low-frequency thunder rumblings long before we can.
YES! According to National Geographic, dogs sense dropping barometric pressure, which alerts them to seek shelter. Dogs can also build up static electricity in their fur — the same feeling when we walk across a carpet and touch a metal door handle — and the feeling of it makes them uncomfortable and nervous.
Even though they can sense a thunderstorm from a mile away (literally), storms are still a big unknown to dogs…they have no idea what they are and have trouble getting used to them because of their unpredictable nature. The flashes of lightning and scent of rain can be enough to send some into a tailspin. Storms also put a wrench in a dog’s daily routine, adding to the stress. Dogs like predictability and consistency, everything storms are not.
Every dog is different and has their own way of expressing fear. It’s important to know what to look for so you know how to help your dog. One of the clearest signs a dog is stressed during a storm is if they seek out a hiding place, often in the grounded areas of a home like the basement or a bathtub (which, believe it or not, can protect them against the electric shocks). In extreme cases, dogs become so scared that their behavior turns dangerous and destructive, such as clawing through walls or jumping through window screens.
Common signs of stress you should be looking for before and during a storm include trembling, panting, hiding, cowering, pacing, urination, and even destructive behaviors.
Making it through a storm can be challenging for pet parents too. If you’ve ever witnessed your dog during a storm, you probably know all too well how upsetting it can be to watch them tremble with fear and how frustrating it can be trying to figure out ways to calm them down in the moment.
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to help your dog. Knowing that storms are a big stress-trigger for dogs, we put together an easy five-step calming recipe for you to follow with the dark clouds start to appear.
With an extra boost of CBD, Kradle® Melts are formulated to work quickly and are perfect for “surprise” stressful situations. If a storm comes up out of the blue, and you haven’t already given your dog a different Kradle® product earlier in the day, Melts should be your go-to. As we note in our Ultimate Guide to CBD Dosage for Dogs, on the days that you know a storm is coming, consider upping your dog’s dosage to two Chews instead of one.
All Kradle® products are designed to work naturally with your dog's endocannabinoid system to help calm from the inside out.
Start shopping for our Chews, Chillers, Bliss Bars, and Melts now to be prepared for the storm season before that next big storm...and big stress moment...hits. All of our products are portable and easy-to-use, so wherever you are when a storm arises...in the car, at home, or elsewhere...you’ll be able to give your dog the calm they need.
Kradle products contain just the right amount of CBD to work naturally with your dog's endocannabinoid system to help calm and comfort.
Our proven and patent-pending BotaniTek™ formulation combines CBD from broad-spectrum hemp extract with other premium active ingredients.
We created Kradle to care for the dogs we love. We use quality ingredients, exacting practices and stringent protocols – and give you full access to our Certificates of Analyses so that you can have complete confidence in sharing our solutions.
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