Why are Dogs Afraid of Thunder?
Your dog might be able to feel static electricity from a thunderstorm buildup in its coat even before the first clap of thunder, causing them to react in an anxious or fearful manner. Noise trauma during storms may be stressful for both owners and dogs.
Thankfully there are a number of options for calming a dog scared of thunder. Keep reading to learn more about how natural remedies, like extra snuggles and CBD, can ease your dog’s stress.
What Does Thunderstorm Stress in a Dog Look Like?
It is not uncommon for dogs to express storm nervousness in a variety of ways and to varying degrees of severity. Before thunder gets rolling, they may have already jammed themselves behind the toilet tank or had an accident indoors. In worse scenarios, dogs may express their panic through destructive behavior such as clawing through drywall, carpets, or even escaping through window screens.
Common signs of uneasiness from storms for dogs include:
- Trembling
- Panting
- Whimpering/Howling
- Pacing
- Aggression
- Having accidents in the house (when usually they are well-trained)
- Destructive behavior
While it may be distressing to watch our canine companions acting out because of storm-induced stress, there are ways you can help. Observing your dog’s behavior during a storm to better accommodate its individual needs is a good place to start.
Try These Tips for Dogs Scared of Thunder:
Reward calm behavior
If your dog can remain calm during a storm, providing a distraction can be an easy remedy. You can use playing fetch, petting, a favorite toy, or treats as a simple fix, but only if your dog is in a calm state. Prepare by practicing the “settle” command with your dog often and praise them when they comply and lay calmly at your feet. Ideally, this will enable your dog to listen to you calmly during a storm.
Give your dog a safe place to go during a storm
Many owners may ask, “What can I give my dog for nervousness during thunderstorms?” The answer is simple: a sense of calm. When dogs are scared of thunder, they may hide themselves away in strange spaces, or they may cling to their owners. Observe if your dog wants to go into a certain room or space and make that space accessible to them. Make sure that they can come and go when they choose. Confinement may exacerbate their stress level.
Comfort your dog
Start by maintaining a calm demeanor during a storm, as your pet is likely to react to your agitation. Try manually calming your dog with a gentle massage. Snug garments that are especially designed to calm dogs can also be an asset. The idea is that the garment works in a similar way to bundling a crying baby.
CBD for your dog
If you have exhausted these and/or other remedies, it may be time to examine a plant-based approach.
Scientific studies have shown that CBD can have a calming impact on humans and rats used in laboratory research. Since dogs have an endocannabinoid system as we and rodents do, it follows that CBD may have a soothing potential for your best buddy.*
In mammals, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) creates chemicals called cannabinoids independently of whether we have ever used cannabis. Scientists have learned that the ECS helps keep our bodies’ internal processes in an optimal, stable state when faced with everyday stresses and challenges.* For this reason, CBD can impart a calming influence on your pet when they experience noise trauma during a thunderstorm.*
What Should You Know About CBD for Your Dog?
Additional information about CBD
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is extracted from both hemp plants and marijuana plants. It is most often associated with hemp because higher concentrations of CBD can be found in hemp plants. Hemp not only has higher concentrations of CBD, but is legally allowed a maximum of 0.3% THC, (the intoxicating chemical found in marijuana plants that is associated with cannabis). CBD is non-intoxicating and does not alter perception.
The Benefits Of CBD For Dogs
Some drops and chews include a full-spectrum hemp extract with CBD. This means that they offer the benefits of CBD along with many other cannabinoids and beneficial compounds thus far identified in hemp. This gives your pet an optimal experience of both CBD’s natural soothing benefits, along with the benefits of all of hemp’s additional naturally derived compounds.
What Kind of CBD Should You Use?
So what CBD for dogs is best for your furry friend? For how to calm your dog during a storm, you could consider two options for how to calm your dog during a storm, and details about administering them to your pet.
Full-spectrum hemp extract drops for dogs
Our canine friends absorb CBD a bit differently than us, and they are more sensitive to its benefits than we are. Try to administer drops orally and remember to always start at a low serving size and work up from there based on your dog’s reaction. CBD drops often come in delicious flavors that pups love.
Calming chews for dogs
Chews, like drops, come in delicious flavors. In addition to naturally occurring CBD, the chews often incorporate a blend of valerian root, passionflower extract, and chamomile to promote a sense of calm for your dog.
Calming Your Dog During a Thunderstorm
Our dogs are our family, and we are dedicated to this ancient interspecies connection. If you think your dog has nervousness from thunderstorms, it is natural to want to help ease their fear. There are many remedies for dogs afraid of thunder and they are not one-size-fits-all. We know that your best friend is unique and it may take time to find the best solution, but we are here to help along the way.
An expansive line of hemp-derived full spectrum extract with naturally occurring CBD for dogs accommodates your best friend in a way that works for their individual palate.
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