Did you know weather can affect your dog
Have you ever had a dog that is afraid of thunderstorm? Or became depressed during the long nights of winter? Or maybe they stopped eating during the hot summer months. Maybe you should think about the weather can affect your dog.
That really isn’t unusual. All sorts of weather can affect your dog
Thunderstorms, heat and even changes in barometric pressure can have a definite impact on a dog’s behavior.
Thunderstorms, often called a phobia or anxiety, are a fairly common problem weather phenomenon that can affect dogs. 
If a thunderstorm is brewing, they often become extremely frantic and overwhelmed with fear. Many times the dog will know the thunderstorm is headed their way long before their owner knows about it. If you see your dog acting strangely, remember weather can affect your dog.
Many dogs are afraid of thunder because they don’t understand what it is. They hear a loud noise and perceive it as something threatening. Sometimes they try to go under tables, get in bathtubs, or other places that make them feel secure. If that’s what makes them feel better, It’s ok to let them to do it.
Even though it may feel like the right thing to do, it’s important not to try to soothe the dog too much. This can encourage his fear if he senses any insecurity in your voice.
During a thunderstorm, try to provide a background noise, such as TV or radio. Sometimes this helps drown out the sound of the thunder. Try to get your dog’s mind off the storm by playing with him.
If his fear is really bad, a dog may require sedation during a storm. Consult your veterinarian so that they can prescribe something to calm your dog. If is hasn’t been prescribed specifically for your dog, it could be harmful.
Signs of thunderstorm phobia include panting, whimpering or barking, and hiding. According to a study conducted by Penn State University researchers, some dogs experience a rapid increase of a stress hormone called cortisol during thunderstorms. When researchers tested the saliva of thunder-phobic dogs, they found the production of cortisol to be 200 percent higher than that of dogs who aren’t afraid of thunder.
Thunderstorms aren’t the only weather that can have an effect on dogs. Wind, heat, gray skies, lightening and a change in barometric pressure all can all affect a dog’s behavior and mood. And some dogs, like people, can have their own unique quirks when it comes to reacting to weather.
Some dogs don’t mind the dark winter months while others can appear depressed and lethargic. The same is true of other weather phenomena
Changes in barometric pressure can affect dogs’ behavior significantly, according to the American Animal Hospital Association. Dogs might become agitated or he might become overexcited and curious, ready to pick up scents in the air and go exploring. If you’ve ever seen your dog sniffing the air as a storm approaches, he might be monitoring incoming weather change. As pressure in the air gets lower and the way odors travel changes. your dog can notice these changes when you can’t.
Dogs are more perceptive to changes in the weather than people. They feel changes in the static electric field that occurs in the air, especially as a strong storm approaches. That’s why they know a storm is coming before you do.
Hot weather also can affect your dog’s behavior. For example, some dogs eat less and become less active when it’s hot. They prefer to lie down on cool tile or near a source of airflow. Some dogs, just like people, get cranky and unwilling to go for walks or do any exercise when the temperature is high.
Dogs can even get the “Winter Blues” Also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), this is a form of depression that occurs during months when sunshine is scarce and daytime light levels are low. In humans, SAD symptoms include listlessness, depression, lack of interest in social activities, and fatigue. The PDSA (The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) found that about 40% of dog parents noticed significant changes in their pet’s moods during dark winter months. Dogs also were reported to have slept longer and their general activities levels were lower during winter months.
Researchers speculate that these changes are caused by the effect that light has on melatonin–a hormone that helps regulate sleep cycles. The major effects of melatonin include causing a person to relax and get sleepy and lethargic. The pineal gland produces and secretes melatonin in darkness—and stops when light hits the retina. So, during the winter more melatonin is produced. This probably causes the classic SAD symptoms in both humans and canines.