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My dog is terrified of storms. What's the best way to comfort him?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Dachshund | Male | unneutered | 7 years and 3 months old

How to comfort dog scared of storms

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on April 5th, 2017

Poor Manny! If he is scared of storms, you can try giving him an extra special long-lasting treat to chew on, such as a Kong stuffed with peanut butter - this often helps to distract from the scary thunder and lightning, and over time can also teach him to associate good things with storms which should lessen his fear. Some dogs also feel more secure in a crate, closet, or small room such as a bathroom during storms - so if it helps Manny to be someplace like this, that's fine too. You may also want to try a DAP pheromone collar, a Thundershirt, and/or a natural calming supplement such as Zylkene or Composure to help reduce his anxiety during storms. If needed, your veterinarian can also prescribe short-acting anti-anxiety medication that can be very helpful for this purpose.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Karly Macon, DVM, MS, CVA Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Investigate a "thunder shirt" as I hear this work great for some dogs--for now, some dogs feel better when you hold them in you lap with pressure like a gentle hug. Long-term you should visit your vet for a prescription for anti-anxiety meds--in my hands Lorazepam (off-label) works really well for these situations.

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