Helping a Dog Scared of Thunderstorms

Many dogs dread the rumble.

Thunder, darkening skies and flashes of lightning can all unsettle a dog. UK dog organisations suggest a few simple steps: prepare a den, mask the noise, act at the first signs of worry and stay calm yourself.

Updated 15 October 2026 · 4 sources

Build a den
Mask the noise
Stay calm yourself
Small things that help a worried dog

Read the signs

THE SHORT ANSWER

Prepare, notice,
stay calm.

Advice here comes from The Kennel Club
and the Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home.

PREPARE

Make a den

Cover a crate with a thick blanket and leave the door open, or make a nest in a small windowless room. The blankets absorb some of the noise.

Storm-day steps

NOTICE

Watch for early signs

Pacing, panting, yawning, tucked ears, barking or growling can show worry long before you are aware of it. Act early.

Read the signs

STAY CALM

Be the steady one

Dogs pick up on our stress. Keep your body language calm, talk normally, and never punish a dog for being afraid.

Read on

An owner seen from behind sitting calmly on the floor beside a relaxed dog wearing a snug fitted jacket, with a lamp on — AI-generated image, not a photograph of a real person or place.

FOUR STEPS FOR A STORMY DAY

Get ahead
of the thunder.

In the UK, the Met Office says the most severe thunderstorms usually come in summer, often after a couple of hot, humid, sunny days. Keep an eye on the forecast and get ready before the rumbling starts.

Walk before the rain
Take your dog out for a toilet break and a good walk before the storm, so it is relaxed when the thunder arrives.
Shut out the storm
Close windows and curtains to cut the noise and the bright flashes of lightning.
Mask the sound
Use white noise, calming music, the TV or radio to help drown out the thunder.
Practise in quiet times
Playing storm sounds very quietly and slowly raising the volume over time can help some dogs get used to them.

TWO NUMBERS WORTH KNOWING

A common fear,
and rarely just one.

From a 2020 study of 13,700 pet dogs in Finland,
published in Scientific Reports.

32%

Dogs showing noise sensitivity

Noise sensitivity was the most common anxiety-related trait in the study. Earlier studies have put it anywhere between 20% and 50%.

NOISE SENSITIVITY · SCI. REPORTS 2020

53%

Noise-fearful dogs afraid of several noises

Over half the dogs fearful of one noise were fearful of several. Noise sensitivity rose with age, especially fear of thunder.

MANY NOISES · SCI. REPORTS 2020

The authors found the most common noise fear was fireworks, and large differences between breeds, suggesting a strong genetic part.

READ THE SIGNS

What is your dog
doing right now?

Pick what you see to find a suggested response. The bar shows how urgently the advice says to act.

Based on advice from The Kennel Club and the Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home. General information, not veterinary advice.

Storm check

Choose what you seeGone under the bed or into the denComing to you for comfortPacing, panting or yawningTrying to bolt out of a door

Gone under the bed or into the denLet them be

Hiding is a way of coping. Let your dog go where it feels comfortable, and it will come back out in its own time.

Coming to you for comfortReassure calmly

It is fine to cuddle a dog that wants it. Respond calmly rather than ignoring it, and keep your own behaviour normal.

Pacing, panting or yawningAct now

These are early signs of anxiety. Close curtains, put on white noise or the radio, and offer play or a puzzle toy before the stress builds.

Trying to bolt out of a doorSecure the house

Frightened dogs can run off and get hurt. Keep doors and windows shut, and make sure collars, ID tags and microchip details are up to date.

Sources: The Kennel Club, Help your dog cope with thunderstorms; Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home, What to do when your pet is scared of thunder or fireworks.

A medium-sized dog with ears back and tail low, pacing near a door as dark storm clouds gather outside the window — AI-generated image, not a photograph of a real person or place.

STAYING CALM

Your mood
is catching.

The Kennel Club says dogs can tell when you are stressed. Try not to jump or exclaim at the lightning, and talk in a soothing voice. Play, toys and puzzles can help keep a dog's attention off the storm, with treats when it engages with you.

A snug thunder jacket comforts some dogs, but watch they do not overheat, and never leave a dog unattended in a home-made wrap. If fear of noises is a lasting problem, the Kennel Club suggests a training class or an accredited trainer.

In conversation

Questions people ask

Why are dogs scared of thunder?

The Kennel Club says a drop in air pressure, loud noises and darkening skies can all affect dogs. The Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home notes dogs can often seem worried or pace before the thunder even begins.

Should I comfort my dog during a storm?

Yes, if it wants comfort. The Kennel Club and the Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home both say it is fine to cuddle a dog that comes to you, as long as you stay calm. If it prefers to hide, let it.

Do thunder jackets work?

The Kennel Club says a tight-fitting thunder shirt has a comforting effect on some dogs. Take the weather into account so the dog does not overheat.

How common is noise fear in dogs?

In a 2020 study of 13,700 dogs in Finland, 32% showed noise sensitivity, the most common anxiety-related trait. Earlier studies reported between 20% and 50%.

When are thunderstorms most likely in the UK?

The Met Office says they can happen at any time of year, but the most severe usually come in summer, particularly after a couple of hot, humid, sunny days.

Sources

Each figure on this page comes from the sources below.

Calm before
the storm.