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Canine companionship 'reduces stress'
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21 December 2005 Canine companionship 'reduces stress'
Sympathetic owners cannot help lower the levels of stress in dogs that are afraid of thunder storms, according to a recent study. Researchers from the College of Agricultural Studies in the US found that although owners can provide care for their animals with pet insurance, food and shelter, it is other dogs which ultimately provide the most comfort.
Living in a multi-dog household was found to help lower the levels of cortisol, a hormone released during moments of stress, in storm-phobic dogs.
Symptoms experienced by the dogs include classic signs of fear such as pacing, whining and hiding.
"Thunderstorm anxiety in dogs is a very common problem with reports of 15 to 30 percent of pet dogs affected," commented Dr Nancy Dreschel, lead author of the report.
"The prevalence likely varies depending on location and the frequency and intensity of storms."
Dr Dreschel advised that although it is possible to de-sensitise dogs to storms it does not always work and care should be taken to reduce the levels of anxiety.
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