Did You Know These Common Household Noises Can Cause Anxiety To Your Dogs?

University of California, Davis, researchers have discovered that owners may not detect agitation from their dogs when exposed to normal household noises. There are common household noises that can cause anxiety to your dogs.

In the past, it was well accepted that dogs are prone to anxiety when they hear sudden loud noises, such as fireworks or thunder. Still, now a new study suggests that even everyday noises, such as vacuuming and microwave use, can cause a dog to become anxious. Frontiers in Veterinary Science published an article on these findings online.

Common Household Noises That Cause Anxiety To Dogs

If you are a dog owner, it will surprise you to know that common household noises cause anxiety to your pet dogs. According to the study, dogs are more likely to become agitated by high-frequency, intermittent noises. 

Stress and anxiety in dogs can be caused by everyday home noises.
(photo source: Canva Pro)

One example of this is the battery warning of a smoke detector, than they are by low-frequency, continuous noise. UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine research associate and lecturer Emma Grigg stated that people are aware that many dogs have noise sensitivity. Still, because many dog owners can't interpret body language, we underestimate their anxiety of noises we deem normal. 

Sounds That Causes Anxiety To Dogs

According to Grigg, some noises, such as high-frequency or deafening noises, could be uncomfortable to a dog's ears. It is because of their wide range of hearing.

This could be as basic as replacing the batteries in smoke alarms more frequently. Or you could also take your dog out of the room where loud noises are likely to occur.

Grigg asserted that dogs communicate primarily through body language rather than vocalization. And that humans should be attentive to this. As guardians, we have a responsibility to make sure they are well cared for, fed, housed, and loved.

How To Determine Your Dogs Have Anxiety?

It is normal to see dogs show signs of dread or worry when they are trembling. But, owners may be less aware of these subtle signs if they are less noticeable.

In addition to panting and licking, anxious dogs may sometimes tilt their heads away from you or tighten their body. Their ears may droop, and their head may dip below the level of their shoulders from time to time. Grigg recommends that pet owners learn more about anxiety-related behavior.

For this study, researchers interviewed 386 dog owners and analyzed 62 web videos of dogs behaving in response to home noises. More than half of the people in the videos felt amused rather than concerned about their dog's safety. The study revealed the data.

There is a discrepancy between owners' estimates of how afraid their pets are and the actual level of dread they exhibit. According to Grigg, some people reacted with fun rather than alarm.

She added that this study aims to encourage dog owners to consider the possible sources of common household noises that cause anxiety to the dogs. Much more, to take actions to reduce their dog's exposure to that stressor.