It is common for dogs to be afraid of thunder and lightning. If you have a dog scared of thunderstorms, you might know it because they might hide under a bed, cower in their pen, or find shelter somewhere when there is a thunderstorm. If a dog becomes anxious and fearful, it can injure itself or exhibit anxious behaviors, such as excessive grooming, or become destructive, damaging property or items within the home.
In this article, we take a look at why dogs are scared of thunder and what you can do to help calm them down. There are lots of ways to help a dog that is stressed or anxious, especially during a thunderstorm.
If you’re wondering, ‘Why is my dog scared of thunder?’ then it’s key to understand why your dog is behaving the way they are during a thunderstorm. One of the key issues is that thunder is very sensory, and the noise and sights of a thunderstorm can overwhelm your dog's senses. Dogs have a greater range of hearing than humans and can detect very low frequencies of thunder and vibrations in the ground that we can't detect. If the dog doesn’t understand what thunder and lightning are, and due to the infrequency of thunderstorms, it can be a scary experience.
If your dog has already been scared by thunder before, then it is likely that they will react negatively in the future. They might have been frightened by thunder and now associate the weather with fear and have developed anxiety around it. This might be more likely if your dog has been left alone during a thunderstorm and got very scared.
Some breeds are more nervous than others; sensitive breeds like German Shepherds and Border Collies are more likely to be fearful.
If you’ve identified this as an issue for your dog, you will want to know what to do when your dog is scared of thunder. How do you calm a dog down in a thunderstorm? Dogs do respond differently, so if one calming technique doesn't work for your dog, don’t give up; try something else instead.
First of all, ensure your dog has a quiet, safe space to relax during a storm. Include their favourite blanket, their favourite toys, and a comfy spot. You can make the space cosy, it could be a corner, a pen, or a crate. You can include some of their favourite treats! This is a space for your dog when they are afraid or feeling anxious.
Many dogs enjoy music; you might find that playing your dog's favourite music while there is a thunderstorm is a distraction for them. You can use soundtracks of relaxing music for dogs! If your dog is distracted by watching TV, then you could see if TV helps.
You can purchase items to help reduce your dog's anxiety during a thunderstorm, for example, you can get thunder shirts that apply a therapeutic pressure that can have a calming effect. You can also buy a variety of calming chews or treats, CBD products, or herbal products such as chamomile or lavender. Be cautious of some of these products if your dog has any health issues.
When your dog manages to react to thunder without fear, give them a treat and reward the calm behaviour with positive reinforcement. You can also distract your dog by rewarding them with fun games so they can redirect nervous energy. Puzzles and treat-dispensing toys are an idea for distracting your dog during a thunderstorm.
Dogs that respond enthusiastically to obedience training, like Border collies and German Shepherds, may really enjoy the distraction of learning new tricks or commands.
It’s really important that you stay calm and relaxed around your dog. It can be distressing for you to see your dog so scared and anxious, but you will only increase their stress if you get worried. Take a deep breath and remember why your dog might be afraid of thunder. Be calm, speak calmly, and offer gentle affection to reassure your dog. You can gently hug or sit next to your dog or pat them, or give them a tummy rub to reassure them.
If you are really struggling, you can seek advice from a dog behavioural specialist or your veterinarian. Some medications can be prescribed to help nervous or anxious dogs. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on the best course of action for your dog; this might be medication. They may also want to make sure your dog doesn’t have any underlying health issues.
Many dogs are scared of thunder, and if this is a problem for your dog, then you must know how to calm a dog scared of thunder. First of all, it's key to understand why your dog is afraid of thunder, and there are many reasons why this might be the case. Perhaps they have had a previous bad experience, or they are sensitive to the low noises from thunder. You will know that they are afraid of thunder if they hide away, are destructive, or start anxious behaviors like excessive grooming.
If you provide a calm and relaxing environment and make sure your dog is not alone during a thunderstorm. There are calming products you can use and ways to just help your dog feel more secure, and once they manage to get out of the cycle of fear from thunderstorms, they will be able to cope with thunder with much greater ease.
If your dog is really struggling during a thunderstorm and you have tried a few strategies, you can reach out to your veterinarian or a dog behavioural specialist. If you remain calm, then you can help your dog cope with thunderstorms!
17 September, 2025