Factors influencing the development of canine fear of thunder

Abstract

Fear of thunder in dogs is notably prevalent worldwide. When the symptoms are severe, it becomes a notable stressor for dogs, not only shortening the dog's lifespan but also becoming a significant burden for the owner. Therefore, identifying the risk factors is crucial. Through previous research, some factors influencing the fear of thunder are known, but the impact of living environments and pet owners remains poorly understood. In this study, an online questionnaire was conducted to explore the risk factors for fear of thunder. The questionnaire included questions about fear of thunder, demographic features of dogs, and information regarding living environments, as well as the symptoms of fear of thunder, owner reactions, the age of onset or remission of symptoms, and the triggers associated with the onset or remission. A total of 1326 valid responses were obtained. According to the owners' reports, 43.6% of dogs exhibit fear of thunder. The symptoms obtained from the questionnaire indicated typical fear-related behaviors in dogs. Vocalization was independent of other symptoms. Those who have never been fearful of thunder were younger compared to those who have experienced fear of thunder. The results revealed that the prevalence rate increased with age but decreased in the elderly. Miniature Dachshunds and Toy Poodles were less fearful compared to other breeds. Dogs living in houses exhibited higher fear of thunder compared to dogs living in apartments. We also showed that dogs were significantly more fearful of thunder when their owners were afraid of it. The probability of fear of thunder increased when risk factors were stacked. The frequency of thunder in the region and the frequency of thunder during the dog's socialization period were not found to be significantly associated with fear of thunder. These findings suggest that a dog's fear of thunder is influenced not only by previously reported factors but also by the owner and living environment. We expect that this study contributes to the prevention, treatment, and management of the fear of thunder ultimately leading to the improvement of the well-being of dogs and their owners.