Can dogs sense rain?

GREENVILLE, N. C. When I’m walking my dog Radar, every now and then I’ll notice him lift his nose straight up to the sky and take a deep breath of the air.

I only recently learned that Radar could predict the weather using his nose. Now, despite his name, Radar is not the only dog that has the ability to predict the weather; your dog can also detect changes in the weather.

Dogs have a heightened sense of smell and hearing. Dogs’ enhanced sense of smell allows them to detect changes in barometric pressure, which fluctuates according to the weather. Scents will either move faster or slower with changing pressure, so dogs can detect pressure changes.

Dogs are aware of pressure changes, but they are unable to communicate this to you. Dogs will occasionally change their behavior to alert their owners to pressure changes, including growling, barking, guarding, cowering, alertness, panting, and occasionally stiffening back hair.

Dogs are able to detect changes in the electric field as well as changes in pressure. With an approaching thunderstorm, electric charges shift. Like pressure, dogs can sense an impending storm long before people can.

A thunderstorm is likely to be approaching if your dog is trying to find shelter. Dogs exhibit this by abruptly running inside if they are outside, hiding under a bed, lying down in their crates, and occasionally seeking solace by curled up in your lap.

You can be certain that you’ll be keeping a close eye on your pet to see if he or she detects an impending change in the weather.

Are Certain Dogs More Likely to Be Afraid of Storms?

Dog storm anxiety can affect any dog, but some breeds are more susceptible than others. Australian Shepherds and Border Collies, two herding breeds, appear to have a genetic predisposition to noise phobia for unknown reasons.

Not only herding breeds are dogs more susceptible to storm anxiety Larger, long-haired, or double-coated dogs are more likely to be impacted by static electricity and may become more prone to developing a phobia of storms.

Even if your puppy doesn’t exhibit symptoms of storm anxiety now, that doesn’t guarantee they won’t in the future. In fact, after a year or even later, the majority of dogs who react to thunderstorms experience problems. As storms approach, always keep a close eye out to see how your dog is doing.

Last but not least, dogs who have a natural fear of storms may experience problems. It’s more likely that your dog will become afraid of storms if they already display other fearful behaviors, such as separation anxiety or hesitation around people.

Breeds That Are Really Sensitive To Storm

Herding breeds are sound sensitive. They need to be because they have to be able to hear their owners whistle even if they are far away. They may be sensitive to loud thunder too, so if you find your dog a little anxious during a thunderstorm, first figure out if he is a herding dog breed or a mix of a herding dog breed.

Since retrievers and hunter dog breeds are bred to be around guns, they are not as affected by thunder, according to one of the forums I visited. Dogs bred as guard dogs, however, can be sensitive to loud noises. Herding dog breeds are known to experience dog storm anxiety, including German Shepherds, Border Collies, Rottweilers, Corgis, and Poodles.

However, it is crucial to note that a dog’s behavior is greatly influenced by upbringing. You should be aware that most rescue dogs either have little to no socialization experiences or have lived their entire lives in fear and are already experiencing separation anxiety. They can be difficult, and loud noises like thunder can make people nervous.

Dogs with storm anxiety exhibit different symptoms. You must be able to recognize them and avoid them in order to take the proper action to ease your dog’s discomfort.

Here are a few symptoms to spot:

Pacing – this is a mild agitated symptom that can be easily spotted but it might be hard to determine if the pacing is due to anxiety or excitement.

Panting – Dogs pant a lot when they are excited, anxious, afraid, and agitated.

Trembling or shaking – This is a sure sign that your dog is suffering from storm anxiety.

Drooling – excessive saliva is another sign that your dog is in distress.

Howling, whining, and barking – You’ll easily determine the differences in whines, bark, and howl of your dog. You can hear the emotion coursing through it just by listening.

Wide eyes and flat ears – This is not a sign of submission but a sign that your dog is feeling discomfort right at the moment.

Digging or clawing – This is an extreme anxiety reaction as this can lead to harm to both you and your dog. This is a “fight or flight” dog reaction. The storm is too big so he finds a way to shelter and hunker down, prompting him to claw or dig.

If your dog exhibits several of these signs during a storm, there’s a good chance that your dog is experiencing anxiety. The experts call this canine storm anxiety or storm-phobia. The steps you can take to help your dog cope with their storm anxiety are provided in the following section of this article.

Keep in mind that your dogs’ condition is serious. Dogs who are afraid of storms will probably seek refuge in places without static electricity. You might find your dog during a thunderstorm in bathtubs, behind the toilet, sinks, and shower enclosures, to name a few places. Also, the condition worsens as time goes by. The condition is serious because your dog may not be displaying the same symptoms as he did the previous year.

When a storm is coming, it is heartbreaking to watch our cherished dogs become agitated, perplexed, and tremble in terror.

According to studies, anxiety attacks worsen as the season progresses and thunderstorms occur more frequently. The following steps, according to dog experts, can help your dogs overcome their anxiety.

The constant reward for calm behavior – the dog will associate that feeling of something good when they are calm if this is practiced. Make sure that you do this calm behavior reward 365 days a year.

A place to hide – have a space where your dogs can batten down and hide out while the storm pelts. This will help your dog feel secure and safe during the storm. Choose s place he usually goes to during storms. Set it up with blankets, a water bowl, and some background music that will drown out the sound of the thunder.

Bundle your dog up – putting your dog in a snug shirt or wrapping them snugly in a blanket can reduce the static electricity on their coat. This can help your fur baby calm down. Try using a Thundershirt or a Storm Defender to reduce static better.

Desensitize your dog – get your dog used to the sound of a thunderstorm by playing a thunderstorm sound on a low volume that your dog finds tolerable. Engage in a game with your dog during these times and then as the days go by, increase the volume of the sound little by little. This exercise can only work if your dog is more afraid of loud sounds because desensitization cannot deal with the changes in the atmosphere and static in the air.

Medication – if the symptoms are getting worse and you have tried all other methods then maybe medication needs to be administered. Talk to your vet and discuss if this is the case. He can give you the proper diagnosis and prescribe the correct medication for your dog.

It’s also important to note that most dogs who dislike thunder will also dislike other loud noises. Therefore, celebrations such as the Fourth of July and others that may feature fireworks may cause the same anxiety reactions. Loud motorcycles, chainsaws, and drills can also be a trigger.

Never chastise or punish your dog when they are experiencing anxiety attacks because this will only increase the fear that they are already feeling. Keep in mind that because he is so tuned into you, your dog can sense emotions, especially yours. Your dog can sense when you’re upset or angry, and you give that energy to him. Therefore, if you exhibit anxiety or anger during an episode, you are only adding to your dog’s stress.

Reassuring your dog might not work in this case too. Your dog might believe that being petted is a reward for his anxiety. It’s as if you’re telling him that his actions are admirable, and any cooing or other displays of affection will only serve to support that notion.

If your dog is still responsive, it is preferable to distract him or to just leave him alone until the episode passes. You can use a game or some music to divert your dog’s attention. To calm your dog down, use those anxiety wraps that reduce static.

Call your veterinarian if the attack is severe so they can administer some medication. Medication should be the last recourse and not the first. To prevent any issues for your furry child, make sure that all medications are administered by a licensed veterinarian.

Dogs Can Smell 20 Times Better Than Humans

Humans can detect rain a few minutes in advance. Now that our dogs can smell 20 times better than we can, you can bet that they can detect rain just by smelling the air.

Even if the storm is only a few miles away and won’t reach your home for 15 or 20 minutes, your dog can still smell the rain through the air. That is how powerful the dog’s nose is.

When a dog smells something, their nose twitches a lot, and when they hear something, their ears perk up. A tornado, hurricane, or thunderstorm may be headed your way if they are acting in this way and then show signs of anxiety.

FAQ

Do dogs act weird when a storm is coming?

Some dogs are terrified of the noise from storms. You might also notice them panting or pacing. These are only a few of the actions that stressed dogs might take. They may also start barking or running around your house.

How do dogs detect rain?

Dogs are capable of detecting low frequency noises, variations in the atmosphere’s electrostatic charges, and changes in barometric pressure. Before we even know a thunderstorm is coming, to a dog it is like a little environmental catastrophe!

How far away can a dog sense a storm?

Dogs have a four to five times greater hearing range than humans do. That means dogs can hear thunder, fireworks, or a whistle much earlier than we can. On a clear day, under ideal circumstances, dogs can detect thunder up to 40 miles away.

Can dogs sense weather?

Dogs can detect changes in the static electric field and a drop in barometric pressure. Unfavorable weather can be detected by changes in air pressure and electricity. In addition to this, dogs are adept at picking up storm sounds before humans can.