If you have a pet dog, you will surely know that dogs are very afraid of wind, rain, and thunder. Why is that? Let's find out!
Signs of fear of thunder and rain in dogs
If your dog is afraid of storms or loud noises, you may see them hiding in small, narrow spaces such as under tables, behind shelves, or in corners of the house. Many dogs show signs of trembling, barking, pacing around, or engaging in destructive behavior.
According to Terry Curtis, a clinical behaviorist at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, other symptoms of an anxious dog include "drooped ears and tail, wide eyes, dilated pupils, and panting." Many dogs who are too frightened also have muscle spasms and stop eating for days.
Why are dogs afraid of thunder?
According to science, dogs are a species with sensitive senses. A dog's hearing is four times more developed than that of normal humans. Therefore, with loud sounds like thunder, dogs will feel it is amplified 4 times louder. Because they are considered to be extremely sensitive, they can hear very small sounds and sounds with high amplitude. Humans can only distinguish 16 directions of sound while dogs can distinguish 32 directions of sound.
Therefore, with terrifying sounds like thunder, for dogs it is truly their nightmare.
Phenomenon of static shock in dogs
According to scientists, dogs are afraid of thunder because of the phenomenon of static shock. Nicholas Dodman, scientific director at the Center for Canine Behavior Studies (CCBS), said that large dogs with long and thick fur are more susceptible to static shock than short-haired dogs.
In fact, when the weather is stormy, the friction between clouds and air creates static electricity, causing static electricity to appear on the dog's fur. If dogs touch metal objects, they will get a slight electric shock. This phenomenon is similar to how humans often get electric shocks on cold, dry days and in winter. Therefore, to ensure the safety of your pet dogs during rain, wind, and thunder, you should make them a soft nest so that they can take shelter during storms. The dog's shelter must be soundproof and not designed with metal objects to avoid static electricity.