Stormy Weather And Dogs – 4 Things You May Have Overlooked

I have been a contributor to Forbes for several years now. My topical “swim lane” is weather, climate, and science. In the past week, a piece that I wrote about teens wearing hoodies in summer heat made a big viral splash in that lane. My colleague and noted climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe light-heartedly commented on one of my social media posts, “Now write one about how extreme weather affects dogs.” It was actually a great idea. My family has owned dogs in the past, and I am a weather geek so let’s do it. Here are four things you may have overlooked when it comes to dogs and stormy weather.

Numerous studies have documented something called “Thunderstorm phobia.” We should not mock our canine friends as many adults suffer from it too. A 2005 study in Applied Animal Behaviour Science defined that phobia as a fear level or response that is disproportionate to the actual danger. This sounds very similar to my reaction to mustard or mayonnaise (and I am serious). This phobia is heightened as the intensity of the storm, likely measured by the vigor of the lightning or decibel level of the thunder, amplifies. In that study, cortisol levels of the dogs increased 270% and remained elevated beyond 40 minutes when exposed to simulated thunderstorm activity. Cortisol is often called the “stress hormone.” Recent studies have investigated the efficacy of supplements to reduce storm-induced anxiety, and the aforementioned 2005 study found that other dogs within the same environment resulted in lower cortisol values. A 2022 study referred to the condition as Canine thunderstorm aversion (CTA) and explored, using 23 enrolled dogs, traditional Chinese veterinary medicine practices including herbal medicine, acupuncture, counterconditioning, drugs, and desensitization. Pressure vests have also been evaluated for treating canine anxiety, and several websites offer basic tips for calming dogs during storms.

Dogs can be “weather instruments” and observers too. A veterinary-focused website owned by the University of Pennsylvania notes, “Dogs who are fearful of storms look for signs like increasing wind, low barometric pressure (muggy, humid days), and darkening skies.” A 2020 study published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society revealed something that anecdotally has been noted by many people. Chronic pain is linked to weather changes. As storms approach, atmospheric pressure changes. Studies dating back to the 1920s have identified associations between such changes and responses in the human body. Some behavioral experts have believe that dogs can detect these changes too.

Steve Ackerman and Jon Martin are respected meteorology professors at the University of Wisconsin who have a long-running series called “The Weather Guys.” On their website, they discussed another way dogs “detect” storms changes. They write, “Thunder, the loud noise that accompanies lightning, gives this nimbostratus cloud the name thunderstorm. Some dogs don’t like loud sounds, whether from a thunderclap or fireworks.” However, they also noted a non-auditory reason related to static electricity. The website goes on to say, “An article in ‘Psychology Today’ suggests that some dogs’ behavior during a storm means they are seeking an electrical ground to avoid electrostatic shock….The dog becomes conditioned to expect random shocks during the storm, probably not something anyone wants to endure.”

The third thing not to overlook when it comes to dogs (or any pet) and stormy weather is what to do in (and after) extreme storm events. I always recommend that everyone develops storm plans for their households. Such plans should also consider the following actions:

1. Bring pets inside during dangerous weather. If you go in, they go in.
2. Have an emergency pet supply kit
3. Don’t leave pets behind if you need to evacuate (have a plan)
4. Be aware of pet-friendly hotels

Other advice provided on the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) website includes displaying a visible rescue alert sticker to notify first responders of the presence of pets and proper collar, tag, or microchip information.

Finally, it is crystal clear that climate is changing and humans are significantly contributing to it. Debates about that statement are relegated to the fringe corners of ideology, agendas, and science illiteracy. Impacts are now being felt in extreme weather events, agricultural productivity, the economy, public health, infrastructure, and virtually every other aspect of life. Our dogs are not immune either. Matthew Rozsa has an outstanding discussion in Salon on how climate change will affect dogs or cats. The tagline to the article says, “Heat, access to food, and human suffering will affect companion animals both owned and unowned.” By the way, a 2021 study (and others like it) are starting to hint at the possibility of increased thunderstorm activity in our warming climate system too. If so, the aforementioned factors are even more problematic.

Here’s to you Katharine Hayhoe and all the dog owners out there.