Taking the scare out of stormy weather

Taking the scare out of stormy weather


You’ve probably heard of dogs with thunderstorm phobias, but did you know that cats can suffer from them too?

Although we blame thunder for this gut-level type of fright, there are other stimuli too. Falling rain, strong gusts of wind, static electricity and even changes in atmospheric pressure can send a cat into a panic. Whatever the cause, a frightened cat might hide, pace, cry or lose control of bodily functions.

If your cat has a weather phobia, comforting her is fine, but be careful to avoid injury during a time of panic. Confining her could make matters worse. Keep Kitty safe, but let her do her own thing. However, if her fear seems extreme, consider talking to your veterinarian about desensitization, a treatment that slowly accustoms a frightened feline to these scary scenarios.

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