Noise Anxiety: How Common Household Sounds Could be Affecting Your Doggo

According to a recent study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, it appears that individuals may not always be aware of when their furry companion is feeling stressed in response to common household noises.

According to a new study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, it has been established that sudden loud noises, like fireworks or thunderstorms, can often cause anxiety in dogs. But the study has also revealed that even everyday household sounds like a vacuum cleaner or microwave can also be triggers for our furry friends.

A recent study has found that certain types of noise may be more likely to cause anxiety in dogs. The research discovered that high-frequency, intermittent noises, such as the sound of a smoke detector's battery warning, are more likely to cause stress in dogs than low-frequency, continuous noise.

“We know that there are a lot of dogs that have noise sensitivities, but we underestimate their fearfulness to noise we consider normal because many dog owners can’t read body language,” said lead author Emma Grigg, a research associate and lecturer at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

It's important for pet owners to be aware of their dog's behavior, especially when it comes to stress and anxiety. Some common signs of a dog's anxiety include cringing, trembling, or retreating, but sometimes, the signs can be more subtle. For example, a stressed dog may pant, lick their lips, turn their head away, or even stiffen their body. Their ears may also turn back, and their head may lower below their shoulders. To better understand and care for their furry friends, Grigg suggests that owners educate themselves on anxiety-related behavior in dogs.

A recent study conducted by researchers aimed to gain more insight into how dogs respond to household sounds. The study surveyed 386 dog owners and analyzed 62 videos of recorded dog behaviors and human reactions available online. The findings of the study indicate that the majority of dog owners underestimate their dog's fearfulness and that the majority of people in the videos responded with amusement instead of concern for their dog's welfare.

“There is a mismatch between owners’ perceptions of fearfulness and the amount of fearful behavior actually present. Some react with amusement rather than concern,” Grigg said. “We hope this study gets people to think about the sources of sound that might be causing their dog stress, so they can take steps to minimize their dog’s exposure to it.”

Grigg highlights that since dogs have a wider range of hearing, some noises that may be harmless to humans can be potentially painful to a dog's ears, such as very loud or high-frequency sounds.

Grigg suggests that minimizing exposure to such sounds can be as simple as taking small steps like changing batteries more frequently in smoke detectors or removing a dog from a room where loud noises might occur. By taking these small steps, pet owners can ensure that their furry friends are comfortable and safe in their environment.