If you are going to be moving somewhere you'll experience all four seasons, learn about how weather can affect a dog's behavior. If where you live currently experiences similar weather year round, learn how the type of weather can influence your dog's mood. Does weather affect dog behavor? Yes, changes in weather conditions can affect the behavior as well as mood of a dog. When it comes to react for wind, thunder, heat and gray skies dogs have their own mannerisms to respond like humans. Some dogs may get depressed during cold weather where as some may get scared from thunder while some may do not show any kind of reaction. The information provided here under will help you know about the sensitivity of dogs with changing weather conditions.
Does Weather Affect Dog Behavior
Lightning and thunder
You may be aware of the changes in dog’s behavior during thunder storm if you have one who is scared of such events. Whimpering, panting, hiding and barking are some of the signs that show the sensitivity of a dog for thunder. According to various studies, the level of stress hormone, cortisol, increases at fast speed in the dogs who get scared of thunder storms as compared to those who remain normal in such condition. They further said that about 20-30% dogs are extremely afraid of thunder.
In low-pressure condition
According to association of American Animal Hospitals, the behavior of dogs changes considerably with the change in barometric pressure. If a dog fears of storms and wind then he can get agitated or curious and overexcited with the change in atmospheric pressure. You might have seen dogs sniffing the air before the occurrence of a storm. In fact they monitor the expected changes in the weather before its appearance, with the help of the changes in the air pressure.
Recognition of bad weather condition
Dogs are more sensitive to changing weather conditions than humans. They can recognize the coming thunder storm by sensing the changes in electric field in the air. Similarly dogs can sense about coming major storms and tornados. According to experts after sensing the changes in static air some dogs can jump into a bathtub. Though its reason is not know till date but it to be sure about their safety and comfort can be one of its reasons.
In hot weather
Hot weather can change the behavior of your dog more than extreme weather conditions including storm. During very hot season some dogs become less active as well as eat less. They prefer to keep them cool by lying near the source of air flow or on cool tiles. As the temperature increases some dogs do not want to do exercise or go for a walk like humans.
Disorders due to seasonal changes
According to some researchers, some dogs suffer from SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder, a kind of depression, during cold weather due to low daylight and scarcity of sunshine. Almost 40% dog owners have observed considerable changes in the mood and behavior of their dog during extreme winters. Similarly, in sunny days dogs usually become less active and sleep for longer time. According to researchers, this change can be due to the effect of sunlight on their hormone, melatonin, which regulates their cycle of sleeping. The pineal gland of dogs produces and discharges this hormone more in winters and less in sunny days. Less secretion of this hormone causes lethargy and sleepiness in both dogs and humans.
So, does weather affect dog behavor? While this is not a definite list, you get an overall idea of how exactly the weather in your area can influence the mood and/or behavior of your dog. This is something to keep in mind if you are moving somewhere that experiences a variety of weather patterns.
