Thunderstorms and Dogs: Why Pain Can Make Noise Anxiety Worse
If your pet has been acting a little more anxious lately, you may have noticed that there has been a lot of thunder and stormy weather recently. For many pets, thunderstorms can be frightening. The loud, unpredictable noises, changes in air pressure, flashes of lightning, and vibrations can all contribute to fear and anxiety.
But did you know that pets experiencing pain or recovering from an injury may become more sensitive to loud noises?
Why Can Pain Affect Noise Sensitivity?
Think about the last time someone gave you a really good jump scare.
Your first reaction probably wasn't to calmly think about what just happened. Your body reacted automatically. You may have jumped, startled, and clenched your muscles.
Now imagine having an injury, arthritis, or another painful area of your body. If your muscles suddenly tense around an already painful area, that muscle contraction can be uncomfortable or even painful.
Our pets can experience similar reactions.
For a pet who is already experiencing pain, the sudden startle response associated with a loud noise may cause them to tense their muscles. If that tension is uncomfortable, they may begin to associate the frightening noise with an unpleasant physical sensation.
Over time, this can potentially contribute to an increasing fear response to thunderstorms and other loud or unexpected noises.
This is one reason why a pet who has never been particularly bothered by thunderstorms may suddenly become more noise-sensitive after an injury, surgery, or as they develop painful conditions such as arthritis.
Signs Your Pet May Be Struggling With Noise Anxiety
Noise sensitivity can look different from one pet to another. During a thunderstorm, you may notice:
Pacing or restlessness
Panting or trembling
Hiding
Clinging to their family
Barking or vocalizing
Trying to escape
Drooling
Destructive behaviour
Difficulty settling or relaxing
If your pet is showing these behaviours, it is worth talking with your veterinary team. There may be underlying pain or another medical concern contributing to their increased sensitivity.
Thunderstorms Aren't the Only Trigger
While thunderstorms are a common trigger, noise anxiety can occur with many different sounds.
Pets may also struggle with:
Fireworks
Construction noises
Vacuums and household appliances
Alarms
Loud vehicles
Unexpected noises around the home
If your pet becomes fearful or anxious around loud noises, there are options that may help.
At Bridge City Veterinary Rehabilitation, our veterinary team can help assess your pet to determine whether pain, mobility concerns, anxiety, or another underlying issue could be contributing to their behaviour. We can then discuss appropriate options to help your pet feel more comfortable.
An At-Home Tool to Try
There are also some simple techniques you can try at home to help your pet feel more secure during a storm.
One technique we will be demonstrating in an upcoming video is a scarf wrap. This can provide gentle, calming pressure and may help some pets feel more secure during stressful situations.
It is important to remember that every pet is different. What works wonderfully for one dog may not be comfortable or effective for another, particularly if they are experiencing pain.
We'll show you how to try this simple at-home technique in our video.
Anxiety Wrap Safety Note
This anxiety wrap is intended as a simple at-home technique that may help some pets feel more secure during stressful events such as thunderstorms or fireworks.
Never leave your pet unattended while wearing the wrap, and do not leave the wrap on for an extended period of time. This technique may not be suitable for every pet, particularly pets who are painful, injured, recovering from surgery, or uncomfortable with being handled or restrained.
Always monitor your pet closely and check with your local veterinary team for advice about anxiety and whether this technique is appropriate for your pet.
Don't Ignore a Sudden Change in Behaviour
If your pet suddenly becomes fearful of thunderstorms or other noises when they previously weren't bothered by them, it is worth paying attention.
A change in behaviour can sometimes be an important clue that something else has changed with your pet. Pain, arthritis, injury, illness, or anxiety may all play a role.
If your pet is struggling with thunderstorms, fireworks, or other loud noises, reach out to our team to book an appointment. We can assess your pet and discuss what options may be available to help manage their anxiety and improve their comfort.
Sometimes helping a noise-sensitive pet starts by asking a simple question:
“Could pain be part of the problem?”
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