Can My Dog Sense a Storm Coming?

Has your dog ever started acting scared out of nowhere, and hours later, it started to storm? Odds are, Fido sensed that the storm was coming! While it seems a little far-fetched, dogs can actually sense bad weather. Keep reading to find out how!

How dogs can sense storms?

Our furry friends can sense storms due to their advanced senses. Their superb sense of hearing and smells make it easy to recognize when a storm is coming. Our pooches can sense a storm coming from 100s of miles away!  Humans have notified pups of bad weather for hundreds of years. Scientists hypothesize that their storm-sensing instinct is left-over from when our sweet pooches were mighty wolves! Wild animals need to be able to sense changing weather patterns to survive, and our dogs have evolved to still have that instinct.

How dogs act before storms

Before storms, our furry friends can sometimes act uncharacteristically anxious. Our pups can sometimes shake, pant, pace, and bark uncontrollably. While these behaviors might seem harmless, some dogs can display destructive and dangerous behavior. Some pups can destroy furniture and household objects or become aggressive. Some furry friends can even get so scared that they try to run away.

How to calm your dog during a storm

If these harmful behaviors keep popping up, try your best to calm your dog and keep them safe.  When storms come around, keep your dog in a safe and secure area. Try to limit the number of doors and windows the in the room, case Fido tries to run away. Invest in a Thundershirt or a weighted blanket to calm your pup.

While our dog’s sudden anxious behavior can upset us as dog owners, it’s important we know why they act the way they do. By understanding our furry friends, we can help them feel more safe and secure in our homes.