Thunderstorms rolling across the sky, fireworks exploding without warning or even the sudden roar of the vacuum cleaner can be terrifying for some dogs and cats.
Noise anxiety can range from mild nervousness to overwhelming panic. One pet may simply leave the room when the vacuum starts, while another may tremble, pant, pace, hide, bark, scratch at doors or desperately try to escape.
These reactions are not attention-seeking or “bad behaviour”. A frightened pet is experiencing a genuine emotional and physical stress response. They cannot simply be told to calm down, and repeatedly exposing them to frightening noises does not necessarily teach them that the sound is safe.
The good news is that there are practical steps you can take to help your pet feel more secure. Environmental changes, reward-based training, supportive nutrition, herbal support and, when necessary, veterinary medication can all form part of an effective noise-anxiety plan.
This guide explains the signs of noise anxiety in dogs and cats, why it develops and what you can do before, during and after a noisy event.
What is noise anxiety in dogs and cats?
Noise anxiety is a fearful or anxious response to a particular sound or group of sounds.
Common noise triggers include:
- Thunderstorms
- Fireworks
- Vacuum cleaners
- Lawn mowers and leaf blowers
- Construction noise
- Power tools
- Motorbikes and trucks
- Gunshots
- Smoke alarms
- Sirens
- Kitchen appliances
- Doors slamming
- Loud music or television
- Babies crying
- Strong wind and heavy rain
Fear is a normal response to something an animal perceives as threatening. A noise phobia is more severe and may produce an intense, disproportionate response involving panic, escape attempts or prolonged distress.
Some animals become anxious before the sound has even started. A dog frightened by thunderstorms may react to dark clouds, wind, rain or changes in air pressure because they have learned that these signs predict thunder.
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, noise phobias can involve intense fear, anxiety, panic and attempts to escape. Early support is important because repeated frightening experiences can strengthen the association between the sound and danger.
What are the signs of noise anxiety in dogs?
Some signs are immediately obvious, but others can be easily missed.
Signs of noise anxiety in dogs may include:
- Trembling or shaking
- Panting when it is not hot
- Pacing
- Whining, barking or howling
- Hiding under furniture
- Trying to climb onto their owner
- Following family members constantly
- Drooling
- Lip licking or repeated yawning
- Flattened ears
- A tucked tail
- Dilated pupils
- Refusing food
- Toileting inside
- Digging at doors or walls
- Trying to escape the house or garden
- Destructive behaviour
- Becoming unusually still or “shutting down”
- Irritability or fear-related aggression
- Remaining unsettled long after the noise has stopped
A dog does not need to be barking or running around to be anxious. Freezing, refusing treats, becoming unusually quiet or sitting with a tense, lowered posture can also indicate distress.
What are the signs of noise anxiety in cats?
Cats often respond to fear by withdrawing, which means noise anxiety can be less noticeable.
A frightened cat may:
- Hide under furniture or inside cupboards
- Refuse to come out for several hours
- Flatten their ears
- Crouch close to the ground
- Have very wide or dilated pupils
- Stop eating
- Avoid the litter tray
- Urinate or defecate outside the litter tray
- Groom excessively
- Become unusually vocal
- Become irritable when approached
- Scratch or bite when someone tries to pick them up
- Attempt to escape through a door or window
- Avoid family members after the event
Allow a frightened cat to remain in a safe hiding place. Pulling them out or forcing physical contact can increase their distress and may result in defensive scratching or biting.
CAT COMFORT TIP
Give your cat several safe hiding options before a noisy event begins. A covered bed, open carrier, cardboard box or quiet cupboard can provide security. Make sure your cat still has access to water and a litter tray.
Why is my pet frightened of loud noises?
Noise anxiety does not have one single cause.
It may develop because of:
- An inherited sensitivity to sound or stress
- Limited exposure to different sounds during early development
- A previous frightening experience
- Being trapped or unable to escape during a loud event
- Repeated exposure to unpredictable noises
- Pain or an underlying medical condition
- Age-related cognitive or sensory changes
- General anxiety
- Changes within the home
- A lack of safe places to retreat
Loud, sudden and unpredictable sounds are particularly difficult because your pet cannot identify where the danger is coming from or when it will stop.
Thunderstorms are also more than a sound. They can involve flashes of light, wind, rain, vibrations, static electricity and changes in air pressure. This is one reason playing a thunder recording may help with part of the problem but may not completely resolve storm anxiety.
Any new sensitivity to sound, especially in an older pet, should be discussed with your veterinarian. Pain, cognitive changes and other health conditions can affect how an animal responds to their environment.
Can noise anxiety get worse over time?
Unfortunately, it can.
Some owners hope their pet will eventually become accustomed to fireworks, storms or household noises. However, repeatedly experiencing intense fear can cause a pet to become more sensitive rather than less sensitive.
A dog that was initially frightened only by thunder may eventually become anxious when it begins to rain. They may then react to wind, dark clouds or even a weather alert sound on a phone.
Early intervention can help prevent the fear from becoming broader and more deeply established.
EARLY-ACTION TIP
Do not wait until your pet is injuring themselves or trying to escape. If you notice trembling, hiding, panting, pacing or refusal of food during noisy events, begin a management and training plan early.
How can I prepare my pet for thunderstorms or fireworks?
Preparation should begin before the noisy event starts.
If thunderstorms are forecast or you know fireworks will be nearby:
- Exercise your dog earlier in the day
- Allow your dog to toilet before the noise begins
- Bring dogs and cats indoors
- Close doors, windows and pet flaps
- Check gates and possible escape routes
- Close curtains or blinds to reduce flashes
- Turn on music, television, a fan or white noise
- Prepare your pet’s safe space
- Make sure identification details and microchip information are current
- Have food toys, treats or calming activities ready
- Give any supplements or prescribed medication according to their directions
- Remain home with a severely anxious pet where possible
Do not leave a noise-sensitive dog outside during a thunderstorm or fireworks display. A panicking dog may climb fences, dig under gates, break through screens or injure themselves while trying to escape.
STORM AND FIREWORK PLAN
Check the weather or local event schedule early. Prepare the room, close curtains, exercise and toilet your dog, bring every pet indoors and start your chosen background sound before the first bang or rumble occurs.
How do I create a safe space for an anxious pet?
Choose the quietest practical area of your home. This may be an internal bedroom, walk-in wardrobe, bathroom or another room away from external windows.
Include:
- A familiar bed
- Soft blankets
- Water
- Favourite toys
- A covered crate or carrier if your pet already enjoys using one
- A food puzzle or licking mat
- Curtains or sound-absorbing furnishings
- Gentle background noise
- Dim lighting
Introduce the safe space on calm days. Place treats, toys or meals in the area so your pet develops a positive association with it.
The room should never be used for punishment. Your pet should be able to enter and leave freely whenever it is safe to do so.
SAFE-SPACE TIP
Build the positive association before it is needed. A frightened pet may not willingly enter an unfamiliar room or crate for the first time during a thunderstorm.
Should I put my dog in a crate during fireworks or thunderstorms?
A crate can be comforting for a dog that already chooses to rest there. However, placing a panicking dog in an unfamiliar crate can increase fear and cause injuries if the dog attempts to escape.
Use a crate only when:
- Your dog has already been positively crate trained
- They voluntarily enter and relax inside it
- The crate is large enough for them to stand and turn around
- They can be safely supervised
- The door can remain open if appropriate
Never force your dog into a crate as punishment or assume confinement will make them “get over” their fear.
Cats may feel safer inside an open carrier covered with a blanket, but they should also be introduced to the carrier positively before a noisy event.
Is it okay to comfort a frightened pet?
Yes. Calmly comforting your pet does not create or reward the emotion of fear.
If your dog approaches you for reassurance, you can sit with them, speak gently or allow them to rest beside you. If your cat wants to hide, let them remain hidden rather than forcing interaction.
Follow your pet’s preference. Some animals seek physical contact, while others need more space.
Try to remain calm and predictable. Frantic behaviour, repeated checking or forcing cuddles may make it harder for your pet to settle, but deliberately ignoring a terrified animal is unnecessary.
COMFORTING YOUR PET IS OKAY
Fear is an emotional response, not a trick your pet is performing for attention. Offer calm reassurance when they seek it, while still allowing them to move away or hide.
Can music or white noise help pets with noise anxiety?
Background sound may reduce the contrast between a quiet room and sudden external noise.
Options include:
- White, pink or brown noise
- A fan or air purifier
- Calm music
- Television or radio
- Familiar household sounds
Begin the background sound before the thunder or fireworks start. Keep the volume comfortable—loud music can become another source of stress.
Sound masking is unlikely to block every noise, particularly low thunder or nearby fireworks, but it may soften some of the sudden bangs.
Do anxiety wraps help dogs during storms?
Some dogs appear calmer when wearing a properly fitted compression wrap or close-fitting garment. Others show little change or dislike wearing one.
Introduce the wrap on a calm day and pair it with treats. It should be snug without restricting breathing or movement, and your dog should be supervised while wearing it.
Remove it if your dog freezes, scratches at it, pants more heavily or appears more distressed.
An anxiety wrap is an optional support tool rather than a complete treatment for severe noise phobia.
How can I help my dog become less frightened of noises?
Gradual desensitisation and counterconditioning can help some dogs.
Desensitisation involves playing a recording of the frightening noise at such a low volume that your dog notices it but remains relaxed.
Counterconditioning means pairing that quiet sound with something enjoyable, such as:
- High-value treats
- A favourite toy
- Gentle play
- A food puzzle
- Relaxing on a familiar mat
Keep sessions short. If your dog stops eating, freezes, pants, hides or tries to leave, the sound is too loud and the session should stop.
Increase the difficulty gradually over a period of weeks or months. Do not simply turn the volume up during every session. Vary it while keeping your dog comfortable, with only a very gradual overall increase.
This training should take place when there is no real storm or fireworks display occurring.
TRAINING RULE: STAY BELOW THE FEAR THRESHOLD
Your pet should remain relaxed enough to eat, play and respond normally. If they are frightened, the sound is too intense and the session should stop.
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends reward-based methods for fear and anxiety. Punishment, intimidation and overwhelming exposure—sometimes called flooding—can increase fear and damage trust.
Because thunderstorms involve pressure changes, vibration, wind and flashes as well as sound, recordings may not completely reproduce the experience. Dogs with severe storm phobia often need environmental management and veterinary support alongside training.
How can I help a dog that is frightened of the vacuum cleaner?
The vacuum is a common trigger because it is loud, moves unpredictably and may appear to chase the dog.
Start with the vacuum switched off:
- Place it at a distance where your dog remains comfortable.
- Reward your dog for calmly looking at it.
- Move the vacuum slightly, then give another reward.
- On another day, switch it on in a distant room for one or two seconds.
- Pair the sound with high-value treats.
- Gradually reduce the distance only while your dog remains relaxed.
Always allow your dog to leave. Do not chase them with the vacuum, deliberately move it towards them or restrain them beside it.
Cats should be given access to another room before vacuuming. There is usually no need to train a cat to remain close to an appliance they can safely avoid.
VACUUM TIP
Keep your pet behind a closed door with a bed, food activity or family member while vacuuming. Management is a perfectly acceptable solution while gradual training is underway.
What should I avoid doing when my pet is frightened?
Avoid:
- Punishing barking, hiding or toileting accidents
- Shouting at your pet
- Dragging them out of a hiding place
- Forcing them to remain near the sound
- Chasing them with noisy appliances
- Leaving a frightened pet outdoors
- Confining a panicking pet in an unfamiliar crate
- Using shock collars or other aversive tools
- Giving human sedatives or anxiety medication
- Using essential oils without veterinary advice
- Assuming the behaviour is stubbornness
- Waiting until the noisy event has begun to make a plan
Punishment may suppress visible behaviour without changing the underlying fear. It can also make your pet associate the frightening event with punishment from their owner.
Can Stress Support help a dog or cat during noisy events?
Our Stress Support Herbal Tincture is formulated to provide herbal support for calm behaviour, relaxation, emotional balance and nervous-system wellbeing in dogs and cats.
The formula contains:
- Passionflower
- Skullcap
- Withania
- Bacopa
These herbs are traditionally used to support relaxation and a healthy response to everyday stress. The bacon-flavoured liquid can be incorporated into a pet’s broader noise-anxiety plan alongside environmental management and reward-based training.
For predictable triggers, it is sensible to plan ahead rather than waiting until your pet is already panicking. Always follow the product directions and individual cautions.
Stress Support is not intended to sedate your pet or replace veterinary medication when severe anxiety is present. Individual responses can vary.
PLANNING TIP
If you know a storm or fireworks event is approaching, prepare your pet’s room and follow the Stress Support label directions before the noise begins. Supplements are generally easier to incorporate before a pet becomes too frightened to accept food or treats.
What does gut health have to do with stress?
The digestive system and nervous system communicate with one another through what is often called the gut–brain axis.
Stress can coincide with physical changes such as:
- Loose stools
- Increased bowel movements
- Reduced appetite
- Nausea
- Wind
- Changes in normal digestive habits
Digestive discomfort may also make it more difficult for a sensitive pet to settle.
Our Probiotic Gut Support provides daily nutritional support for healthy digestion, regular bowel function, nutrient absorption and a balanced gut microbiome.
It contains animal-specific probiotics, prebiotic inulin, bovine colostrum, papaya, Australian beef powder and beef bone broth powder. It can be sprinkled over food or mixed with a little warm water to make a beef gravy.
Probiotic Gut Support does not treat a noise phobia. Its role is to support digestive and intestinal health as part of your pet’s broader wellbeing plan, particularly if changes in routine or stress tend to coincide with digestive upsets.
GUT-SUPPORT TIP
Introduce Probiotic Gut Support gradually and use it consistently according to the label. If your pet develops persistent vomiting, diarrhoea, blood in the stool or refuses food, arrange a veterinary examination.
Can Stress Support and Probiotic Gut Support be used together?
They provide different types of support.
Stress Support focuses on relaxation, emotional balance and nervous-system wellbeing, while Probiotic Gut Support supports digestion and a balanced gut microbiome.
They may form complementary parts of a broader wellbeing routine. Introduce new products gradually, follow the individual label directions and read all cautions.
If your pet takes medication, has a diagnosed health condition, is preparing for anaesthesia or is receiving veterinary treatment for anxiety, discuss the complete plan with your veterinarian.
When does a pet with noise anxiety need veterinary medication?
Natural support and environmental changes can be helpful, but some animals experience a level of fear that requires veterinary treatment.
Please speak with your veterinarian if your pet:
- Panics during storms or fireworks
- Tries to escape
- Injures themselves
- Damages doors, windows or walls
- Cannot eat or respond during the event
- Remains distressed for hours afterward
- Becomes aggressive when frightened
- Experiences frequent or unpredictable noise triggers
- Shows anxiety in several different situations
- Has suddenly developed noise sensitivity
- Is becoming progressively worse
A veterinarian may recommend medication for predictable events, a daily anxiety medication or a combination of medication and behaviour modification.
Medication should not be viewed as a failure or an absolute last resort. Preventing repeated panic may be the kindest option and can make behavioural training more effective. The AAHA behaviour-management guidelines recognise that medication may form part of an appropriate treatment plan for fearful and anxious pets.
Never give your pet human sleeping tablets, antidepressants, antihistamines or sedatives unless they have been specifically prescribed by a veterinarian for that animal.
Who can help with severe noise phobia?
Your first step should be a veterinary examination to rule out pain, illness, cognitive changes and other contributing conditions.
Depending on the severity, your support team may include:
- Your regular veterinarian
- A veterinarian with a special interest in behaviour
- A veterinary behaviourist
- A qualified reward-based trainer
- A suitably credentialed animal behaviour consultant
Avoid trainers who recommend punishment, shock collars, dominance techniques or forcing your pet to remain close to the frightening sound.
Ask any trainer to explain exactly which methods they use before beginning a program.
A simple noise-anxiety plan for dogs and cats
A helpful plan may include:
- Identify your pet’s noise triggers and early signs of stress.
- Prepare a quiet, secure retreat on calm days.
- Bring pets inside before storms or fireworks begin.
- Close curtains, windows and potential escape routes.
- Use comfortable background noise.
- Allow your pet to hide or seek calm reassurance.
- Provide a food toy if your pet is relaxed enough to eat.
- Consider appropriate herbal and digestive support.
- Use gradual, reward-based sound training below your pet’s fear threshold.
- Ask your veterinarian for help if your pet is panicking or getting worse.
- Arrange prescribed medication well before predictable noisy events.
- Review the plan after each event and note what helped.
Noise anxiety can be difficult for pets and upsetting for the people who love them. Your pet is not being dramatic, disobedient or difficult—they are trying to protect themselves from something that feels dangerous.
By planning ahead, creating safety and using compassionate, reward-based strategies, you can help reduce the chaos and give your dog or cat a greater sense of security.
Important: This guide provides general educational information and does not replace veterinary diagnosis, behavioural assessment or treatment. Severe or worsening anxiety, escape attempts, self-injury, aggression or sudden behavioural changes should be discussed with your veterinarian.
