Thunderstorm phobia is common in dogs and causes significant acute suffering, with multiple sensory stimuli including static electricity, pressure changes and sound all potentially contributing.
Dogs with thunderstorm phobia undergo genuine panic during storms with all the physiological and emotional components of extreme fear. Unlike fireworks, storms cannot be anticipated precisely, meaning dogs may panic in apparently normal situations as a storm approaches. The condition typically worsens over years without intervention. Untreated thunderstorm phobia causes significant welfare compromise during a predictable recurring event.