Veterinarians Show Consoling Dogs Does Not Relieve Their Panic
If you have a dog with thunderstorm phobia there are some homeopathic things you can try to help — Rescue Remedy helps, as do Scullcap, Valerian, and other herbals. The Bach Flower Essences, in general, are very good and you should read up on them or check with a holistic veterinary practitioner. Some people like to use melatonin for their dogs which will make them drowsy or help them sleep through thunderstorms. Others will use peppermint oil on their dogs' paws — the oil and scent are soothing and they do help some dogs.
Personally, I have social anxiety disorder and I have used many of the homeopathic solutions for my own anxiety problems. They have helped me so I know they can help in dealing with anxiety problems.
However, some dogs need more help than homeopathy can offer. I have seen snug-fitting clothing recommended — I think there's a special pullover that's sold for dogs with thunderstorm phobia that is supposed to soothe dogs. I know people who use tight-fitting tube tops and t-shirts on their dogs with the same effect. The people who use them swear they work. And, if nothing else works, you may need to consult your vet. He or she can prescribe a sedative for your dog to help him through thunderstorms.
The problem with many of these solutions is that thunderstorms often spring up and frighten your dog before you have a chance to administer any medication, homeopathic or otherwise. No matter what you plan to give your dog it usually takes a little while to take effect. By that time your dog may be hiding under the bed, a total basket case. Try to pay attention to your dog's behavior. I know with my Beau, my dog with thunderstorm phobia, he will usually seek me out and start looking for reassurance several minutes before the weather turns bad. He can sense a storm coming so he gives me some warning and I can do something to help him. In his case I usually give him a couple of capsules of Valerian and put him up in bed with me. The bed is his safe place, so he feels better there, and the Valerian calms him a little. He doesn't go to sleep, but he is more relaxed. I usually do have another dog or two up on the bed with us, which seems to corroborate the findings in the story below.
From Science Daily.
Veterinarians Show Consoling Dogs Does Not Relieve Their Panic
A study shows that dogs can get very upset during thunderstorms, whether or not their owner holds them. The study measured the stress hormone cortisol to be up to three times normal levels while the dogs heard recordings of a thunderstorm. The company of other dogs did help, though vets say medications may be more effective.
PHILADELPHIA–Do thunderstorms make your dog tremble with fear with every rumble?
Thunderstorm anxiety is common among dogs, sending frightened pooches shuddering under beds or even tearing up furniture. What's really behind this pet panic?
All it takes is one rumble from a thunderstorm and Patty Nordstrom's dog, Iko, is a nervous wreck.
"Iko starts shaking and panting and pacing and is very nervous and upset," Nordstrom says. Many sympathetic owners like her try comforting pooches with thunderstorm anxiety. Now, a new study shows consoling your pet may not help.
"One thing that the study showed was their dogs got really upset whether they held them, whether they left them alone," says Nancy Dreschel, a veterinarian at Pennsylvania State University in Philadelphia, tells DBIS.
During the study, veterinarians sampled the dogs' saliva from a chewed cotton rope after they listened to a thunderstorm recording. Vets then measured the stress hormone cortisol and found its levels increased an average of 200 percent during a storm!
Dr. Dreschel says, "Physiologically, they're definitely responding — their body's responding — to this stress."
So how do you help Fido cope? Researchers say having other dogs around may help lower stress levels. "In dogs that lived in households with other dogs, their response was not as high and seemed to come back to normal more quickly," Dr. Dreschel says. But don't run out and get another dog just yet. She says talk to your vet first.
While Nordstrom figures out the best way to calm Iko, she's lucky thunderstorm season doesn't last forever. "It only really happens a few months out of the year. We try to work with him the best we can." Working to help man's best friend weather the next storm.
Researchers point out that having a multiple-dog household won't cure your pet of storm phobia. If you have a dog with severe storm phobia, discuss behavior options, like medications, with your veterinarian.
