Max and the Thunderstorm Problem in Bang Kapi

Max is nine now, a female Thai Bangkaew who has been brave about everything except thunder. In Bang Kapi we get storms most afternoons in the rainy season, and for years she would pace the flat, pant, and try to squeeze under the bed frame until she could barely settle.

A few things have made a real difference. First, we stopped making big fuss and cuddles when the sky rumbled, because she read our worry as a sign that something was wrong. Now I keep the telly at a normal volume and give her a chew she only gets during storms. Second, we close the curtains as soon as the forecast turns, and a fan runs in the bedroom for white noise.

New Year fireworks from the soi are still hard, so I start the calm routine about an hour before the first bangs. For really bad nights, ask your vet what they suggest. For us, consistency mattered more than any single trick. Max still hides under the table sometimes, and that is fine.