Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Thunderstorm Phobia: Evidence-Based Management

Fear of thunderstorms is one of the most common anxiety disorders in dogs, causing significant distress and requiring multi-modal management strategies.

Key Facts

Welfare Considerations

Dogs suffering severe storm phobia experience acute fear responses that are genuinely distressing. Without treatment, phobias tend to generalise and intensify. A combination of behaviour modification (counter-conditioning), safe space provision, anti-anxiety wraps and veterinary medication provides the best outcomes for severely affected dogs.

What You Can Do