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Monsoon Safety Awareness Week is happening now, June 13th-19th, and the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) wants to help keep pets safe this monsoon season, as a pet’s increased sensitivity to storms can result in an exaggerated fear of storms, storm phobia, and potentially running away.
Storm phobia may be caused by a change in barometric pressure or an increase in static electricity in the air. A pet may be fearful of visual cues such as lightning or blowing leaves and dirt. Auditory cues such as rain and thunder may create anxiety for a pet, as well. Storm phobia is one of the most common phobias in dogs and may present as general anxiety, whining and barking, house soiling or destructive behavior.
Address storm phobias in pets by not punishing them for showing fearful or anxious behavior and creating positive associations with storms by giving treats, toys and verbal praise for appropriate behavior during a storm. Obedience classes and daily interactions with pets also help reduce phobias and anxiety in pets who are more sensitive to storms.
One way to desensitize pets to storms is to play a CD or music track that has thunderstorms in the background. Specialized items such as a Thundershirt (pictured) or Dog Appeasing Pheromones can also be used to give your pet a greater sense of security. AHS also recommends consulting with your veterinarian or a vet behaviorist, if needed.
AHS offers in-person, private and virtual behavior training courses, for more information visit azhumane.org/training.
If your pet goes missing this summer or you find a lost pet, visit azhumane.org/lostpet for tips to help get them back home.
- In The Media
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3TV: Monsoon Pet Safety Tips from AHS Veterinarian, Dr. Bemmerl
06/2022The Arizona Humane Society (AHS) wants to help keep pets safe this monsoon season, as a pet’s increased sensitivity to storms can result in an exaggerated fear of storms, storm phobia and potentially running away.
Storm phobia may be caused by a change in barometric pressure or an increase in static electricity in the air. A pet may be fearful of visual cues such as lightning or blowing leaves and dirt. Auditory cues such as rain and thunder may create anxiety for a pet, as well. Storm phobia is one of the most common phobias in dogs and may present as general anxiety, whining and barking, house soiling or destructive behavior.
Address storm phobias in pets by not punishing them for showing fearful or anxious behavior and creating positive associations with storms by giving treats, toys and verbal praise for appropriate behavior during a storm. Obedience classes and daily interactions with pets also help reduce phobias and anxiety in pets who are more sensitive to storms.
One way to desensitize pets to storms is to play a CD or music track that has thunderstorms in the background. Specialized items such as a Thundershirt (pictured) or Dog Appeasing Pheromones can also be used to give your pet a greater sense of security. AHS also recommends consulting with your veterinarian or a vet behaviorist, if needed.
AHS offers in-person, private and virtual behavior training courses, for more information visit azhumane.org/training.
If your pet goes missing this summer or you find a lost pet, visit azhumane.org/lostpet for tips to help get them back home.
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