Summer is here, and so are the thunderstorms. Many dogs are terrified of storms! Read on as a Seminole, FL vet offers tips on helping your pet cope with bad weather.
A good doggy workout will help your furry friend burn off his excess energy, leaving him naturally calmer and more relaxed. When you know it’s going to storm, take Fido for a long walk before the weather gets bad. A fun play session can also tire your pooch out.
Bring Fido indoors, and put him in his crate or a back room. Make sure he has comfy bedding and some toys to occupy himself with. Puzzle toys are great, as they can keep dogs entertained for hours.
You can find a variety of pet-calming products, such as treats, collars, and sprays, in stores. These mimic the pheromones dogs produce when they are calm and happy, which can soothe nervous pups. Another thing that may help is to get Fido a calming shirt. Ask your vet for recommendations.
Static cling is one possible reason for dogs’ fear of storms. As one can imagine, this would be quite uncomfortable for them! Try running an unscented dryer sheet over Fido’s coat.
As you may know, dogs have very sensitive hearing. Fido may be reacting to subsonic sounds that we can’t hear. Turn a radio or TV on to mask the sound of the storm.
Desensitization training may also help. Download or buy a recording of storm sounds, and play it on sunny days, while offering Fido toys and treats. Gradually increase the volume to help your furry pal get used to the sounds.
If Fido has severe thunderstorm anxiety, medication may be the answer. Ask your vet for more information.
Do you have a yard for Fido to run and play in? That’s great! However, you should always bring your canine buddy inside before a storm. Otherwise, he may try to escape!
We know, it’s instinctive to want to soothe and coddle a frightened dog. However, if you give Fido too much attention, you may inadvertently reward him for his anxiety. Cuddles are fine, but don’t go overboard.
Please reach out to us, your Seminole, FL vet clinic, for all your dog’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!
