| Few people are happy to endure the the sounds of a | | | | thunderstorm anxiety? |
| severe thunderstorm, complete with darkening skies, | | | | - Probably the best treatment is avoidance. If there's a |
| strong winds, flashes of lightning and crashing thunder. | | | | place where your pet feels safe, be it a kennel or |
| Some become extremely anxious, and for some, the | | | | crate or a finished basement that is relatively light and |
| fear of thunderstorms turns into a full-blown phobia. | | | | sound proof, you can have your pet ride out the storm |
| Some pets, especially dogs, are also affected by | | | | in his safe place.Another option is desensitization. This |
| thunderstorm anxiety to varying degrees. While some | | | | approach gradually retrains your pet by exposing her |
| pets may tremble, whine, pace or hide under the bed | | | | to gentle reminders of a thunderstorm such as a |
| during storms, in more severe cases, panicking dogs | | | | recording of distant thunder, and rewarding her for |
| have been known to destroy furniture, jump through | | | | staying calm. The idea is that over time, the response |
| windows or otherwise harm themselves during storms. | | | | to the stimulus decreases. |
| In either case, this type of behavior is the sign of a | | | | - There are a number of natural remedies that work |
| very unhappy pet. | | | | well for mild cases of thunderstorm anxiety. My |
| Fear is a normal response to a fear-inducing situation, | | | | favorite is Rescue Remedy, a Bach Flower Essence |
| whereas phobias are irrational, extreme reactions in | | | | blend. There are other natural calming aids available, |
| which the fearful response is magnified to the point of | | | | Holistic Pet Info offers a good selection along with |
| dysfunction. Behaviorists are not sure which part of | | | | some good advice on how to handle situations that |
| the storm frightens pets the most - the lightning flashes | | | | cause stress for your pet. |
| and thunder, the winds blowing around the house or | | | | - It is important that you remain calm when your pet is |
| the sound of rain hitting the roof. Some dogs even | | | | afraid. Our pets pick up on our emotions, and if we're |
| show signs of anxiety an hour or more before a | | | | anxious, they'll be anxious as well. While it's tempting to |
| storm hits, leading to the theory that they are reacting | | | | cuddle and comfort your pet during a storm, in your |
| to changes in barometric pressure. | | | | pet's mind, this rewards the fearful behavior. It's much |
| Many cats become nervous during storms and | | | | better to provide your pet with a safe, familiar place |
| generally hide from the disturbance under beds or in | | | | where he can ride out the storm. |
| dark, quiet corners. Unlike dogs, they tend to not | | | | - In severe cases, a visit to your veterinarian is in order. |
| progress to the phobic stage - they simply wait out the | | | | Your veterinarian can prescribe anti-anxiety or |
| storm in their safe place and come out of hiding when | | | | anti-depressant medication to help keep your pet calm |
| the storm has passed. | | | | during storms. |
| So what can you do to help your pet deal with | | | | |