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From Sunshine to Snowflakes: Here's How Dogs React to Weather
As climate changes trigger intense weather events under the form of violent thunderstorms, severe downpours and intense heat, it's inevitable for humans and their pets to be affected in one way or another.
From changes to routines, to the onset of new fears and phobias, severe weather events could potentially aggravate pre-existing behavioral problems in certain dogs.
Being aware of how the weather impacts dogs can make you a better dog owner as you can be prepared and maybe even play a proactive role in preventing potential problems from arising.
Let's discover more about how the weather impacts dogs along with some tips to make your dog's life better in the face of violent weather events.
How Does the Wind Impact Dogs?
Wind can surely stir up a whirlwind of emotions in our canine companions. Your dog's response may vary based on your dog's personality. From the sheer excitement for the adventurous pup, to profound anxiety for the timid canine. Let's take a closer look at how wind may impact your dog.
Wind Triggers Dogs to Play
If your puppy or dog is quite confident and playful, wind may play an invigorating role considering that it brings stationary objects alive. With leaves and debris skittering across the ground, these dogs will be happy to chase them around and play similar to a child trying to catch a butterfly.
Even adult dogs may cherish the wind as the wind acts as a carrier of a smorgasbord of scent particles which are delivered straight to your dog’s nose.
Wind Prompts Dogs to Investigate
Depending on the wind’s direction and intensity, scents may be either concentrated or scattered. Since a strong wind gust can carry the smell of a distant animal or person, your dog may respond to the scent by following the invisible trail of molecules in the air.
In a nutshell, it can be said that the wind brings "olfactory stories" from faraway making dogs active "listeners" courtesy of their extraordinary noses.
Wind Elicits Fear in Dogs
Wind isn't all fun and games—for some dogs it can be quite unsettling. Being invisible and not understanding the concept behind it, wind can cause some dogs to feel startled or frightened by it.
Branches snapping, leaves rustling, and objects being tossed around can all trigger a dog to feel anxious during a windstorm.
Additionally, dogs may be scared of things flying around, such as debris, trash cans, or lawn furniture, as they may not understand what is happening.
Overall, the unpredictability and intensity of the wind can make it an unsettling experience for sensitive dogs. If you own a very fearful dog, it may be best to skip walks on very windy days.
If your dog is frightened by outdoor noises due to strong winds when at home, he/she can be helped by using some type of "white noise" such as keeping the TV or radio on to help buffer the sounds.
Wind Causes Dogs Discomfort
We must also consider that, since the wind carries flying dirt and debris, it can irritate a dog's eyes causing discomfort or even the risk for a potential corneal scratch.
Keep a watchful eye on your dog’s reaction to the wind. If you notice him squinting or keeping his eyes closed, suspect some dust or debris in his eyes.
Wind can turn dogs into a playful mode
How Does the Rain Impact Dogs?
Rain, from a dog's perspective, is more than just droplets falling from the sky. Rain can impact dogs on so many different levels! Here are several ways rain may impact dogs.
Rain Makes Dogs Sniff More
You're not imagining things if your dog seems to be more into smelling around after it rains. Here's the thing: moisture amplifies smells.
Basically, what happens is that humid air traps smells causing them to linger around much longer than they normally do.
What does this mean to our dogs? It means that, when it rains, dogs are blessed with a potpourri of smells that are more intense than usual, increasing their desire to go on a fun "sniffari."
The fact that rain helps amplify smells is well known by the folks training dogs for search and rescue. Indeed, search dogs are often worked when it's drizzling and damp, since scent needs moisture to survive, explains Kat Albrecht, in the book: "Detective Dogs."
However, while a drizzle during a damp day may increase smells, a heavy downpour may have the opposite effect. When it rains on concrete, for instance, scent is diluted and is more likely to become dispersed, making it difficult for the dog to follow a trail.
Rain Makes Dogs Restless or Relaxed
It all boils down to the type of dog you have. If you own a dog who is very outdoorsy and walks are his biggest perk of their day, staying cooped up due to wet weather can cause them to feel restless and frustrated.
If your dog is like this and you're planning to stay dry, make sure to entertain him with some indoor rainy day activities such as brain games, food puzzles and training.
If, on the other paw, your dog is a couch potato, or his activity levels tend to match yours, he may be drawn to staying indoors and spending time with you as he remains happy and dry.
With nothing to hunt or chase, dogs may therefore go into snooze mode and opt for cozy naps—especially if you're doing the same, cup of cocoa in hand.
Rain Makes Dogs Anxious
If your dog fears thunderstorms, the sound of raindrops can be a big trigger. Add to the mix some wind and dark clouds, and you've got a recipe for a worried doggie who’s ready to hide under the bed.
On top of this, some dogs are fearful of the sound of rain, especially when it's really pouring and you have a metal roof.
Some dogs may dislike rain so much that they'll even go on a potty strike. Who can blame them though? Nobody likes to get drenched and walk into puddles when it's pouring outside. Several dogs would rather "hold it" and wait for better weather.
Rain Makes Dogs More "Romantic"
Love is literally in the air when it drizzles for some free-ranging dogs in India. Why is that?
According to a study, it's likely a matter of chemistry. Living in an urban environment, Indian dogs are exposed to a lot of "olfactory noise," and this seems to interfere with the dog's ability to discriminate against the pheromones of female dogs in heat.
When it rains though, increased humidity levels intensifies those pheromone signals leading to more frequent mating. A drizzle-fueled date, anyone?
Changes in daily routines due to inclement weather can cause anxiety in dogs
How Does Snow Impact Dogs?
As it happens with humans, some dogs are built for the cold, while others are built for the heat. For example, the Pharaoh Hound is meant to survive in the scorching heat of desert climates, while the Siberian husky is equipped to survive frigid temperatures. How dogs react to snow may vary from one dog and another.
Snow Makes Dogs Playful
For some dogs, a blanket of snow is the perfect backdrop for a play session. They find the snow to be a source of novelty and excitement. This is especially true for breeds like Huskies or Malamutes, bred for colder climates.
The fluffy landscape entices them to romp around, dig and play chase with other dogs. Some dogs may exhibit a bout of zoomies (sudden bursts of energy) leading to back and forth pouncing.
Snow Makes Dogs Wary
For some shy or suspicious dogs, the unfamiliar change in scenery accompanied by the whiteness, may induce wariness.
Some dogs may even refuse to go walk over the snow to go potty. They might not like the crisp, cold sensation under their paws and may find it uncomfortable.
These dogs might require gradual exposure and positive reinforcement to feel comfortable. You may need to shovel a path for these dogs to encourage them to do their business.
Some small dogs or short-haired dogs may be more sensitive to cold. They may start shivering or may lift their paws off the snow.
Snow May Confuse Dogs
Because snow can potentially dampen scents or bury familiar markers, this may confuse dogs who rely on their scent and sight for navigation.
Many dogs love snow!
z75217, Pixabay
How Do Temperatures Impact Dogs?
The goal of the body is to maintain homeostasis, and therefore temperature extremes will cause dogs to behave differently.
According to a study conducted in Italy, a dog's play and activity levels increased with cold weather, especially in response to sudden temperature drops. Their appetite was reported to increase too.
This is in contrast with a dog's sluggish demeanor and decreased appetite associated with the scorching hot temperatures so common during the summer. Older dogs and brachycephalic dogs are particularly vulnerable to the impact of heatwaves leading to indoor confinement and changes in their routines.
When it comes to sleeping, dogs were found to sleep more both when the temperatures increased (66.6 percent) and when they dropped (58.2 percent).
The Bottom Line
In summary, the weather can evoke a range of behavioral responses in dogs. Their responses may vary based on several individual factors such as their breed, temperament, and prior experiences.
If your dog reacts to wind, snow or rain in a fearful way, you will need to help them by making the experience safe and enjoyable through positive reinforcement and gradual exposure.
How does weather impact your dog?
References:
- Sen Majumder S, Bhadra A. When Love Is in the Air: Understanding Why Dogs Tend to Mate when It Rains. PLoS One. 2015 Dec 2
- Palestrini C, Minozzi G, Mazzola SM, Lopez A, Cannas S. Do intense weather events influence dogs' and cats' behavior? Analysis of owner reported data in Italy. Front Vet Sci. 2022 Sep
Disclaimer: this article is not meant to be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice or behavioral advice. If your dog is acting sick or aggressive please consult with a qualified professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
