With widespread rain showers in the forecast from late Monday through the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 30, dog owners might want to ensure their beloved pets stay safe.
Multiple rounds of rain could bring totals of up to 4 inches across the region, according to the National Weather Service. The storms are headed to El Paso, as Hurricane Polo is forecast to move northeastward toward New Mexico and far West Texas after making landfall along Mexico's Pacific coast.
Julieanne Newbold, public affairs coordinator for El Paso Animal Services, said dogs are more likely to get scared and run away during thunderstorms.
"Thunderstorms are just similar to fireworks. They're really loud noises that can definitely cause anxiety and stress in any of your pets.
It's really important to be conscious of any inclement weather that might be coming in and to prepare your pets," she said.
Newbold said the first thing to do is to ensure they can come indoors and have a safe space at home. Layer the space with a familiar blanket and/or an item of your worn clothing
"Bring them indoors if they need to have a safe, quiet room where you can put on some quiet music to kind of calm them down with some of their favorite toys, maybe even some calming treats. That way they're more prepared for any sort of noises that could frighten them," she added.
Newbold said it's the crackling of thunderstorms and loud lightning strikes that scare dogs.
"They don't know what's going on, essentially like children. For some pets, it can be very triggering," she said.
Physical signs of storm anxiety in dogs
Recognizing anxiety early gives you more time to intervene. Common signs include:
- Pacing, whining or trembling
- Freezing or refusing to move, low body posture, tucked tail, flattened ears
- Drooling or panting excessively
- Destructive behavior such as chewing furniture or scratching doors
- Attempting to escape through windows, fences or crates
- Urinary or bowel incontinence
What to do for pet during storm
Simple environmental adjustments can meaningfully reduce what your dog experiences:
- Close windows and doors to reduce the sound of thunder and prevent escape
- Draw curtains or blinds to block lightning flashes that trigger startle responses
- Turn off the television to avoid adding extra audio stimulation
- Play calming music at a low volume. Classical music has been found to increase resting behavior.
- Stay calm yourself. Dogs read human body language closely and anxious hovering can signal to your dog that their fear is justified.
- If night-time storm anxiety is causing significant sleep disruption, speak to your vet about trazodone administered in the evening as a short-term situational option.
Source:petful.com
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @eptmaria.bsky.social on Bluesky, and @eptmariacg on TikTok
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: How to keep your dog calm, safe as storms move into El Paso
