Thunderstorm phobia is a panic disorder commonly seen in adult dogs which is generally triggered by a storm. The panic lasts the duration of the storm and often continues from 30 minutes to days. Dogs often anticipate the storm before it hits.
Source: Firstline, May/June 2017, page 32.
Dr. E’Lise Christensen, DACVB, offers at-home behavior modification strategies veterinarians and team members can offer to clients. She says the disorder can be managed with a multimodal approach, including:
- Proper medication
- Behavior modification in the home such as:
- Create a storm bunker
- Develop a non-storm routine
- Add-in supplements and adjunctive therapies