Can a dog be front-sensitive?

Just as even a healthy human can be affected by weather changes and fronts, so can dogs.

Let’s see what a front-sensitive dog experiences and how changes in atmospheric pressure and fronts affect your dog’s mood and well-being.

What is front?

The atmospheric front, simply called front, in meteorology refers to a boundary region formed at the meeting of two air masses that differ in terms of pressure and humidity. These fronts can extend for hundreds or even thousands of kilometres, with around 100 such fronts passing over our country every year. As well as causing changes in the weather (the passage of a front is usually accompanied by winds), they also affect living organisms.

These mechanisms force the body – which is part of nature – to undergo mostly neural and hormonal changes. The frontal effect can take different forms for everyone, but we already know that it has a greater impact on stressed, unstable, frail, older or sick bodies.

Changes in atmospheric pressure and dog behaviour

An average dog can sense changes in atmospheric pressure, and thus detects changes in the weather before they occur. This is due to the fact that its sophisticated antenna can capture the displacement of static electric fields, like a barometer. It’s no exaggeration to say that dogs can predict what the weather is going to be like, as true weathermen. Changes in atmospheric pressure are caused by changes in the atmosphere, which are often small things that we as humans don’t even notice; we sense only the end result of that influence. Lightning, for example, causes the air to heat up and expand, causing it to collide with the surrounding air masses, which makes a big boom – called thunder. Stormy weather therefore usually causes a drop in pressure.

As the pressure in the air rises, the way odours spread changes, and the super-noses detect this immediately. When your pet is often looking up and sniffing the air, you can be almost certain that the weather is about to turn. So this means that even if your four-legged friend is not sensitive to fronts, it can still sense changes in the weather or the presence of fronts.

Effects of the cold and warm fronts

When a cold or warm front arrives in the area, many dogs’ behaviour can change. Generally speaking, they may be more restless and agitated, and may be upset by things that usually don’t really bother them. Fear is also a typical emotion, which can make the dog cuddle up to the owner and demand more companionship. Many four-legged friends perceive danger in this situation and can be particularly protective of their family.

They may also have physical symptoms. Their joints may become stiff (this is especially a problem if the dog has arthritis), meaning they move less or not as nimbly and easily, but it is also common for their airways to become stuffy due to a drop in air pressure, causing a runny nose or wheezing. (This is particularly true for breeds with a flat face.)

When a warm front arrives, we can experience its effects hours before. Temperature, humidity and air pressure also rise, which lowers blood pressure and raises heart rate. It is no wonder that depressive symptoms can occur and glaucoma can become more difficult to cope with.

Symptoms of a cold front are more likely to be felt after the front has moved through. Temperatures and humidity drop and air pressure rises. This period is not good for dogs with heart disease. They may have a heart attack, asthmatic and rheumatic issues and symptoms of digestive disorders may be exacerbated. Certain nervous system symptoms during both frontal effects are observed. Sleep disturbances are common, concentration may be reduced, and both dogs and humans may become more irritable and restless.

Unfortunately, the Central European region is characterised by double frontal effects, which can lead to a combination of the symptoms described above.

How can you help your pet?

The first and most important thing to remember is that you should never punish the dog in such cases! It is not easy for it to endure these mental and physical changes, and it does not even understand why things are happening.

If you already have a proven way to reduce its stress levels or provide it with a peaceful rest, do so! Spend as much time with it as possible. If the dog is prone to running away, it is worth intensifying the efforts to provide all possible escape routes.

If your dog suffers from any of the above chronic conditions and you notice that it is under considerable pressure from the fronts, it is worth checking with your vet what they recommend in such cases.