Cold Outside: Can Dogs Detect Weather Changes?
Research indicates that dogs become restless and seek shelter as winter weather approaches. Does your dog start barking just before it rains?
(Photo: shutterstock)If your dog does not stop barking just before the thunder arrives, there is a good reason for it: studies show that dogs have sharp senses that allow them to detect changes in their environment, including weather changes. Research conducted in recent years shows that dogs can sense drops in air pressure, temperature changes, and subtle scents in the air, often preceding stormy weather. Researchers believe this ability is related to their acute hearing, allowing them to detect low-frequency sounds, like distant thunder, before they are audible to the human ear.
Many dogs respond clearly to changes associated with winter weather. Phenomena such as restlessness, excessive movement, and even attempts to hide were documented in studies examining their reactions to storms. This ability is not only due to their physical senses but also to instinctive behavior that allows them to recognize dangerous situations and prepare accordingly.
A 2021 study, recently published in the journal Scientific Reports, examined the cognitive abilities of over 1,000 dogs from 13 different breeds using ten different tasks. The results showed differences among the breeds, with the Belgian Shepherd (Malinois) ranked as the most intelligent breed, followed by the Border Collie. The study highlighted the complexity of assessing intelligence, as there are different types of intelligence even among dogs.
Scientific studies show that dogs can sense electrostatic changes in the air, which often occur before a thunderstorm. In addition, their developed sense of smell allows them to detect scents carried by the wind before stormy weather arrives. Some dogs even exhibit behavioral changes shortly before changes in the weather, a trait attributed to their natural sensitivity to environmental changes.
