Why do pets behave strangely before a storm?

You’re sitting on the couch when suddenly, your pup gets up and starts panting and pacing. Are they hungry? Do they need to use the bathroom? Are they searching for their favorite toy? Then, the sky opens up and it becomes clear — they were acting oddly because of the storm. Our pets act so strangely when there’s a storm on the horizon, and many pet owners have no idea why. Thankfully, there’s a logical reason behind many of these unusual behaviors. Here’s why our furry friends behave in such an odd manner when it’s about to rain.

Why Pets Act This Way

Cats, dogs, birds, and other common pets are more sensitive to changes in barometric pressure than humans. This sensitivity is a significant part of the reason why they act so odd during major storms. When a storm is approaching, the barometric pressure can drop drastically as far as 24 hours before it starts raining or snowing. As a good rule of thumb, a more substantial drop means a stronger storm plus a more panicked pet.

These odd behaviors also have to do with the elevated senses of hearing and smell that our pets have. Cats and dogs have excellent hearing, in particular, and can detect the rumble of storm clouds long before any human. Those noises may be rather jarring, and the pet may assume it’s in imminent danger even if it isn’t. Many pets can also detect the metallic smell of rain, which may throw them out of whack further. Pets are also extremely sensitive to the electrostatic changes during a thunderstorm and are likely to be affected by the static electricity forming on their fur.

Common Behaviors

Each pet behaves differently in the leadup to a storm. Some pets simply don’t care and can’t be bothered to move from their comfy bed. Most pets, however, will react in a way that leaves you scratching your chin. Unfortunately, these behaviors are often rooted in the fact that they feel stressed out and scared about what’s to come.

Some pets start running around in a frenzied panic, and others may hide in a safe space behind a couch or under the covers. Others may whine, pace, pant, and make various other stress signals, such as digging up the yard. All of these are common responses to an impending storm, and they vary case by case. The good news is there are ways to help your pet relax during these tense moments.

Help Your Pet Relax

There are plenty of ways that we, as pet owners, can help our fur babies relax during a storm. One of the best things to do is act normal and behave as a calming presence, as pets can react negatively if their owners also exude fear. Try to distract your pet by throwing a ball around, rubbing its belly, or other similar actions that can put it at ease. While rubbing its belly, consider using an unscented dryer sheet to help remove some of the static electricity from its fur, which may be causing the pet to act strange.

White Noise

Another method is to drown out the noise of rolling thunder by using a relaxing white noise machine. The sound of calming waves or a tranquil rainforest can help mask the sounds of thunder that may be sending your pet into a tizzy.

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

Get a ThunderShirt

You should also consider purchasing a ThunderShirt, an excellent tool for anxious pets. ThunderShirts apply a gentle, calming amount of pressure to the animal, much like giving it a big hug. This can help put the pet at ease and help it feel safe.