Keep the Tail Wagging is supported by pet parents. I occasionally earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) when you click through an affiliate link to one of my favorite products. Thank you for your support. Read More
When it comes to dogs and thunderstorms, we have mixed reactions. Most of our dogs don't seem to notice the storm, but Rodrigo acts as if the world is coming to an end. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we have storms in the spring and fall – thunderstorms and windstorms. They don't last very long and they don't do a lot of damage where we live, but there is no convincing my dog that he's going to be okay. So I've been dealing with calming my dog for years and it's still a chore.
And, then, one day I figured out how to calm my dog during a storm.
How I Prepare My Dogs for a Thunderstorm
Although I have a list of things to do during a thunderstorm that helps Rodrigo, I've found that it's best to take steps to prepare for the storm if I have a heads up.
1 – Reach for the prescription medication. I know that this isn't the most popular solution, but when nothing else works (or works well enough) then I reach for the prescription medication. I worked with our vet to find the medication that is the best fit for Rodrigo and give him a small dose when I know a storm in coming. Not all dogs need medication, but after years of watching him struggle, I asked our veterinarian for help.
2 – If I have a heads up, get plenty of exercise. A tired dog is a well behaved dog. A tired dog might also find it easier to sleep through a storm. Sadly, I don't pay enough attention to the weather so I'm rarely so lucky to do this step, but there are other steps.
3 – Reach for the CBD oil. CBD oil has always been hit or miss with my dogs until I found the right brands that consistently work for my dogs. On a stormy day, I add CBD oil capsules to Rodrigo's meals or I put CBD oil on his gums two or three times that day. And, yes, I do this along with prescription medication. Using CBD oil means that I use less of the prescription meds. The three brands that work for my dogs are:
How I Calm My Dogs During Thunderstorms
Because I don't watch the news or monitor the weather the way I should, I'm often caught off guard, learning about the storm when I see a lightning strike or Rodrigo is unusually anxious. Whether I'm caught off guard or I'm prepared, the following steps work to keep my dogs calm.
1 – Turn up the television or music to drown out the noise. This does help a small amount, especially when I watch a loud movie. But dogs have keener hearing than humans, plus, the air is charged during a storm and dogs can feel the difference through their skin and coat. The noise is a good distraction for some dogs though.
2 – Pass out bully sticks or another healthy chew. I like having Monster Bully Sticks on hand because they're perfect during a thunderstorm. Rodrigo can power through a regular bully stick in less than 10 minutes, but he'll work on a Monster bully stick for more than 30 minutes. And afterward, he's a lot more relaxed. There's something about the act of chewing that calms him down.
- Monster Bully Sticks
- Monster Himalayan Chews
- Order the monthly chew subscription box from Real
.Dog (worth it)
3 – Diffuse essential oils in the room. The second I hear the first crack of thunder, I reach for essential oils. I have a few favorites from Plant Therapy or Simply Earth that I diffuse and I apply Calm-a-Mile by animalEO to each dog. A few of my favorite essential oils for calming include Clary Sage, Sleep Tight (a blend by Plant Therapy), and Warmth (a blend by animalEO).
Fearful of thunderstorms – fireworks – loud noises
Thank you so much for sharing that story, Elle – I love that you were able to work with your dog. Our dog, Rodrigo, is doing a lot better with thunderstorms. We finally got him a Thunder Jacket and only had one small thunder storm and he was fine. We’ll keep it just in case 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!!!
Kimberly
When our rescue boy first came to live with us almost 12 months ago, he was terrified of thunder storms, absolutely terrified. Given that we live in a subtropical area that is prone to some very wild weather, it was awful to see him so frightened.
One huge thunderstorm he even bit me, just out of fear.
It was so difficult, but we worked really hard at not giving him love and hugs during a storm, which is the thing we wanted to do most in the world!
But it worked, instead of being a shaking, whimpering ball of fear when there is a storm, he’s now as calm & sweet as he is the rest of the time.
It’s hard to do, but it was so worth it! We’re still working on other loud noises (such as smoke alarms), but hey, we’re all a work in progress!
Thanks, Cindy
I’d never heard of these products until I started researching for this post. I love that there’s something to give our dogs some peace
Kimberly
I recommend the original patented Anxiety Wrap to my clients with fearful or anxious dogs. The unique design provides a superior therapeutic effect and it’s effectiveness is backed by research. To read more about how the Anxiety Wrap compares to other similar products on the market, see this article: http://dubuquedogtrainer.hubpages.com/hub/dog_anxiety_wrap