We all know that our dogs do not appreciate the noises caused by fireworks or thunder. However, a new study has revealed that noises produced by common household items might be causing your pet just as much pain.
According to a research published by the University of California, Davis, common household noises such as vacuums and microwaves could be stressing out your furry friend.
High frequency and intermittent noises such as those produced by microwaves and smoke detectors can trigger a dog’s anxiety. However, continuous low frequency noises have less of an effect.
A lot of dogs are very sensitive to noises. However, dog owners tend to underestimate their dog’s reaction to common noises as most dog owners are unable to read the dog’s body language.
Common Behavioural Responses
Common behavioural responses by dogs to uncomfortable noises can include hiding, cowering, barking, shaking, and retreating to their owners. However, less noticeable reactions include panting, stiffening of their bodies, lowering their body posture, and turning back their ears.
Emma Griggs, a lecturer at the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis suggests that owners should make an effort to learn their dog’s anxiety related behaviour.
Hiding is a common reaction by dogs when they’re stressed or anxious.
A large effort
The researchers from UC Davis surveyed a total of 386 dog owners on their dogs’ responses to common household noises. They also analysed 62 videos of dogs reacting to common household noises which were shared on an online platform.
The researchers discovered that the majority of dog owners tend to underestimate their dog’s fearfulness to the noises. What is even more worrying is the fact that nearly half of the owners reacted to their dogs’ anxiety with laughter.
There is quite a big difference between the dog’s actual level of fearfulness and the owner’s perceived perceptions. Rather than concern, some dog owners react with amusement to their dog’s anxiety driven behaviours.
Hopefully, this study has caused the owners to think differently the next time their dogs are showing anxious behaviours.
Some sounds more painful than others.
As dogs have a wider range of hearing than humans, some noises undetectable to us could be damaging your dog’s ears, especially those with high frequencies.
Stress associated with fear and anxiety can negatively impact your dog’s health, welfare, and even lifespan. So it’s important that we respond better to their anxiety.
The best way to reduce their dog’s stress is to simply remove the source of the sound that might be causing it. You can do this by simply replacing the batteries more often in smoke detectors, and removing the dog from the room when you’re vacuuming.
