Thunderstorm phobia affects many dogs and involves responses to multiple sensory inputs including sound, lightning, barometric pressure changes, and static electricity, requiring multifaceted management approaches.
Storm-phobic dogs experience genuine terror during thunderstorms, with elevated heart rate, cortisol release, and full panic responses. The anticipatory period - when pressure changes signal an approaching storm - extends the welfare impact beyond the storm itself. Dogs may injure themselves attempting to escape, destroy property, and become aggressive when cornered by fear. The inadequacy of simple desensitisation approaches for this complex phobia means many dogs remain undertreated. Anxiety wraps, anti-static jackets, safe room provision, and medication combinations may be needed alongside behaviour modification.