Tips to Help Keep Your Pet Comfortable & Safe During a Thunderstorm
The Do's
- Provide a safe hiding space
- Secure all exit points (windows, doors, cat flaps etc) - have your pet microchipped so that they can be identified if they escape.
- Decrease visual exposure to the thunderstorm and hail by keeping your pets indoors, away from windows, and shut the curtains
- Muffle the sounds of the storm by keeping your windows and doors closed; and turning up volume on the TV and radio
- Provide distractions - Use special toys, high-reward toys and treats and food puzzles to keep your pet occupied
- Reward calm behaviour with treats and praise
- Consider the use of calming aids that can be purchased over the counter (e.g Adaptil, Feliway, Thundershirts) to help keep your pets calm during a thunderstorm
- Try your best to be at home with your pets when the thunderstom is ongoing and be a role model for your pets. Remember to remain calm and relaxed, as if nothing bad is happening.
- Be sure to give your pet plenty of time and space to recover after the storm has passed.
- Be proactive in managing your pet's anxiety during thunderstoms - consider consulting your veterinarian to discuss starting your pet on some anti-anxiety medications to help manage their anxiety levels during a thunderstorm.
The Don'ts
- Do not punish your pet! This will make the anxiety and fear of thunderstorms worse for your pet.
- Do not overdo reassurance – this may inadvertently reinforce the anxious and fearful behaviour.
- Do not force your pet to face its fear of the thunderstorm (e.g. do not insist that your pet watches the storm from the window)
- Do not leave addressing your pet's aversion (or potential aversion) to thunderstorms to the last minute – because the fear will generally get worse over time.
Please do not hesitate to contact the clinic on (06) 3588675 if you have any questions or concerns.
