LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – For today’s Good Question, Bev asks: I have a greyhound that is extremely sensitive to weather changes, whether it’s rain, snow, or a weak front passing through. Can you tell me why that happens?
Dogs are much more sensitive to changes in the atmosphere than humans are. And their other senses alert them to coming storms. So, if they are afraid of storms, they may get anxious way before we can tell a storm is arriving.
The animal hospital LeadER says not only can they feel changes in barometric pressure, they may also feel changes in the static electric field, and their hearing is sensitive enough that they can hear thunder from approaching storms that we can’t perceive.
The American Kennel Club says there are a few steps you can take to help your pets:
- If you give them treats during storms, it could build a positive association with them.
- Some dogs respond well to pressure. A tight shirt could have a calming effect.
- You could always turn to medication. You could talk to your veterinarian or use over-the-counter products like melatonin.
- You can try putting them in a room without windows and turning on the TV. The sound of the television may act as white noise and keep them from seeing lightning.
If you have a Good Question you’d like us to try to answer, send it to goodquestion@wkyt.com.
Copyright 2025 WKYT. All rights reserved.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
