# What other animals besides dogs display anxiety during thunderstorms? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 16, 2017, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076 "2017-06-16T00:34:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076/21 "2017-06-16T10:31:39Z")
Once I heard a noise outside and walked out onto my porch, seeing a dog. A moment after I stepped outside, there was a _loud_ crack of thunder, and the dog ran for dear life. Somewhere out there, there was a dog who believed that he had survived a close encounter with Thor. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076/22 "2017-06-16T12:24:26Z")
> [@Daddypants](#): > > Sorry to get a little off topic, have you tried a Thundershirt? It worked wonders for our first beagle. The Mrs. has wrapped our dog in a T shirt, which might have had some calming effect. Or just provided some hands-on mom time. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076/23 "2017-06-16T14:36:47Z")
Our cats aren’t too fond of thunder ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076/24 "2017-06-16T14:38:20Z")
> [@obbn](#): > > My God, will I ever make a post without spelling errors? I’m having a quiet giggle at the thought of a house that’s scared of thunder. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076/25 "2017-06-16T15:57:12Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > Horses, absolutely. Like dogs, you’ll see a variety of reactions, but some horses really don’t like bad weather. I had one that stood in his stall with his head down and rocked. Not his favorite thing at all. Wow, our horses all seem to _like_ storms, to the extreme of staying out in the rain and lightning and grazing contentedly. My gf sometimes runs out and brings them into the barn before the storm hits. One of our dogs is storm-phobic. She has been doing well on dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel (Sileo). It’s a gel applied to the dog’s gums, and has an effect in a minute. Only problem is it is expen$ive. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076/26 "2017-06-17T02:26:49Z")
One of our cats hides under the couch when she hears thunder. The other two don’t seem to pay any attention to it. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076/27 "2017-06-17T16:13:51Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Me: > Write and review post. > > Find a typo: edit and repost. > > Find another typo: edit and repost. > > DANG! one more issue: “Missed edit window.” Or whatever it says. I have few problems when I use a computer, but my phone and my Kindle regularly “fix” my posts by screwing them up, forcing me to go back and make multiple revisions. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076/28 "2017-06-17T16:28:07Z")
For some reason, none of our dogs (or cat) were ever noticeably alarmed by thunderstorms. I anticipated there might be a problem with our black Lab, thanks to a puppy experience one July 4th evening when I took her outdoors, only to be greeted from multiple directions by a fusillade of explosions from my thrill-seeking neighbors. Never had a problem with thunder and lightning, though she certainly noticed it. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076/29 "2017-06-17T18:20:17Z")
towards the later part of his life, my dog Sammie was scared of storms. now, **I’m** not as comfortable with them as I’d like. in fact, I used to\* enjoy \*storms. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076/30 "2017-06-18T01:33:50Z")
> [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](#): > > I’m having a quiet giggle at the thought of a house that’s scared of thunder. Here’s a house that was: [This Ole House](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nstn4Wscl1w) > [@Rosemary Clooney](#): > > . . . This old house once rang with laughter > This old house heard many shouts > Now he trembles in the darkness > When the lightnin’ walks about > > [. . .] > > This ole house is afraid of thunder > This ole house is afraid of storms > This ole house just groans and trembles > When the night wind flings its arms . . . ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076/31 "2017-06-18T01:38:27Z")
> [@Daddypants](#): > > Sorry to get a little off topic, have you tried a Thundershirt? It worked wonders for our first beagle. Thundershirt [has a line for cats too](http://www.thundershirt.com/thundershirt/thundershirt-cats.html), so I guess there’s a market for it. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076/32 "2017-06-18T02:12:29Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Thundershirt [has a line for cats too](http://www.thundershirt.com/thundershirt/thundershirt-cats.html), so I guess there’s a market for it. I got a thundershirt for my scaredy cat. There’s a huge flaw with this idea. Try catching a scared cat and wrestling her into the shirt. She’s never worn it. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Randolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Randolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randolph)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076/33 "2017-06-18T02:27:10Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > My Buffy was freaking terrified of thunderstorms. She’d always hunch really low to the floor, and then squeeze herself under the sofa. For some reason, I read this as “My _wife_ Buffy was freaking terrified of thunderstorms. She’d always hunch really low to the floor, and then squeeze herself under the sofa.” It made for comically disturbing visualization. ---
**Author:** ![Chetumal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@Chetumal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chetumal)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076/34 "2017-06-18T16:39:49Z")
> [@obbn](#): > > Carson the **Cow** /Shepherd mix. You have a half-cow, half-dog? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076/35 "2017-06-18T17:03:47Z")
> [@obbn](#): > > My God, will I ever make a post without spelling errors? I was intrigued by the cow/shepherd mix. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076/36 "2017-06-18T17:21:35Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > I was intrigued by the cow/shepherd mix. She barks all the time, isn’t really housebroken, but we need the milk. ---
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076/37 "2017-06-18T18:41:25Z")
A bit off topic but I remember reading about a facility (research I think) that had many tanks of tarantulas. A lot of them got very agitated right before an earthquake. I suppose they picked up on the vibration the same way a web spinner feels a fly. I don’t think my cat likes thunder much. I’ll have to wait for the next storm, possibly today, and see how the mice react. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076/38 "2017-06-20T16:54:10Z")
We adopted a dog, Sadie, whose x-ray for hip arthritis symptoms showed shotgun pellets in her back legs, hip and tail. Clearly she’d been shot before she found her way to us. She rightly feared thunderstorms, guns, and fireworks. You might want to try something that worked well for us. My half-baked understanding of canine psychology led me to conclude that the pack leader never initiates (and may not even permit) play when Serious Business is at hand. So I began initiating play at the first sign of thunder. I intended to convey “that’s nothing I’m worried about; everything is safe.” Pretty soon Sadie was all about playing, admittedly with some tension, while the storm raged. Eventually she seemed calmer, and for the rest of her life, every time the sky boomed and rolled, Sadie would appear, tug toy in her mouth, tail wagging wide, right beside me. The plaque on the urn containing her ashes reads: **Sadie the Brave**. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076/39 "2017-06-22T03:33:42Z")
Many years ago I rescued a kitten who had spent the weekend outside in really severe weather. She was naturally terrified of storms. I would know a storm was coming when she would suddenly hide under the couch. I always wondered if she could hear distant thunder or changes in air pressure alerted her. Sure enough, a while later the storm would hit. But she eventually faced her fears. One night I heard thunder and was surprised to see her laying on the floor. She had her paws over her face. She stayed that way during the storm. She did this during several storms before she finally decided that it wasn’t going to hurt her. After that, she never reacted to a storm again. A few years ago, I rescued another cat who had lived outside in some woods for about a year. She was terrified of rain. Every time it rained, she would get in her kitty cave. I would sit in front of the entrance to show her that I wasn’t getting wet but she wasn’t having it. It took her a few months to get over that. For a while after that she would get anxious at thunder and I would talk to her to calm her. But now she usually doesn’t bother waking up. ---
**Author:** ![miketx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ebca7d/32.png) [@miketx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miketx)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076/40 "2017-06-23T16:13:34Z")
My cats are scared of them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-animals-besides-dogs-display-anxiety-during-thunderstorms/789076.md?page=1)