BY: SAMANTHA BARTLETT, DVM
A new study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Medicine in November 2021 shows that common household noises may be causing more anxiety in dogs than pet owners think. Most people notice when sudden loud noises such as fireworks or thunderstorms cause fear in their dogs, but many do not realize that their dogs are facing fear daily from other “normal” noises found in the home.
The research team at the University of California, Davis found that noises from the vacuum, microwave or even a smoke detector with a low battery can trigger fear and anxiety. Many owners do not realize this because they do not know how to interpret their dog’s body language.
Dogs commonly show anxiety by cringing, trembling or hiding. Less obvious signs include panting, licking lips, turning the head away or lowering their head below their shoulders. Turning the ears back and stiffening the body can also be signs of anxiety.
The study surveyed 386 dog owners and 62 videos of recorded dog behaviors and their owner’s reactions online. They found that most people were amused with their dog’s behavioral response to noises rather than concerned indicating the owners were not accurately translating their dogs’ behaviors.
High frequency, intermittent noises (HFI) such as the low battery warning on a smoke detector, seem to cause more anxiety than low-frequency, continuous noises (LFC). Extreme reactions are associated with loud, unpredictable noises where the dog cannot control his exposure to the sound. Dogs have more sensitivity to high frequency sounds and therefore show greater physiologic distress at those frequencies. Smoke alarms that may be loud to humans may be painfully loud to dogs. Another source of significant distress to dogs are ultrasonic frequencies such as those emitted by electronic pest repellants and some household appliances.
This study illustrates the need for education of pet owners on how to interpret their pet’s body language and the potential effects that “normal” sounds can have on their pets. The researchers also concluded that more in-depth study on specific sounds within the household and their potential impact on indoor pets.
