Keep The Noise Down! – The Effects of Noise On Dogs.
We know that many dogs can be affected by loud noises such as fireworks and thunder, but there are many other household noises that dogs can become stressed with. The effect environmental noise can have on pet dogs may well be underestimated. Read our Holidays4Dogs article to find out more about the effects of noise on dogs.
Some of us are quite hypersensitive to noise. If you’ve ever walked into a busy café, where there’s music playing and perhaps, the odd shrieking child – you will know what we mean.
Most of us are subjected to noise all the time, even if we live in quiet places – tractors, mowers and aeroplanes spring to mind. However, there’s a lot of noise in everyone’s homes – much of it, you wouldn’t think would affect dogs. But, does it?
Many of us live busy lives, with all the hubbub that goes with it – television, passing traffic, visitors, the rumble of wheely bins down the street – and, dare we say it violin, or drum practice? This is not to mention hairdryers, hoovers and washing machines. Then there’s the ever steady hum of fridges and freezers and the background noise of children screaming at the tops of their voices – perhaps in an attempt to be heard over the ever increasing decibels of a modern world.
The effect of noise on human health as been well documented. Environmental noise can impact on sleep and performance. Long term exposure to constant noise can even impact on the cardiovascular system.
How sensitive is a dog’s hearing?
In short, it’s very sensitive. Up to four times more sensitive than ours. That’s why the environmental soundscape for dogs could be even more irritating for them, than it is for us. There’s nothing to say that environmental noise can’t have similar detrimental effects on canine health. This is particularly so, when you consider dogs have far superior hearing capabilities to humans. Dogs can recognize sounds ranging in frequency from 40Hz to 50kHz. Whereas humans can hear only up to 20kHz.
Can you hear that?
In fact, dogs are capable of hearing high pitched sounds, that humans can’t hear at all. This is all due to evolution. In the wild, predators like dogs, need to have excellent hearing. This is how they listen for small prey, like mice and voles. The trouble is, everyday noises that might sound bearable to people – can be deafening for dogs. In addition, exposure to unexpected loud noises, like doors slamming or thunder, can exacerbate noise sensitivity.
Auditory stress in kennelled dogs.
Auditory stress in kennel environments, such as rescue centres, has long been a welfare concern. Excessive noise in kennel establishments is known to have a negative effect on resident dogs – as well as people. Decibels (d b) measure sound intensity. For humans, anything over 85 decibels is considered to potentially damage hearing permanently. This is why employees must provide ear protection for workers exposed to 85 decibels plus.
However, sound levels in kennels range from 85 – 100 decibels. Since dogs have much more sensitive hearing, experts belief the safe level of sound intensity for dogs, should be much lower.
At Holidays4Dogs – we never kennel dogs. All our canine guests are looked after in loving family homes.
Many sounds are louder than you might think – here are some examples.
Fridge 50 d b Normal conversation 60 d b Hair dryer 60 – 95 d b Alarm 70 d b Doorbell 80 d b Coffee grinder 80 d b Traffic 85 d b Heavy traffic/busy restaurant 85 d b Lawnmower 95 d b Electric drill 95 d b Shouting/baby crying 110 d b Nosy squeaky toys 135 d b Balloon popping 150 d b.
Many electric devices emit ultrasonic noise that can only be heard by dogs – this includes anything that’s plugged in (but switched off) – like a television. These are subject to power draws which create a vibration of the components in the electric circuit which can be heard by dogs.
How noisy/quiet is your home? Ways to reduce noise pollution.
Our homes are noisier than we think and dogs are subjected to much higher levels of noise, given their much more sensitive hearing. Who would have thought that electrical devices, even when they’re not in use, could cause noise pollution which impacts on the pets in our home?
Reducing environmental noise can help reduce potential stress in dogs and there are few steps you can take to achieve this.
Provide your dog with a quiet space away from the hub of family noise. This may mean keeping doors open so they can get away from the television. Ideally, create a quiet room where there are no electrical items plugged in – (alarm clocks, LED lights)
Consider turning off appliances at the wall, where possible. Even an LED bulb in a table lamp can create ultrasound.
If you live in an area where there is heavy traffic/street noise, consider choosing quieter routes/quieter times to walk your dog.
Consider leaving your dog indoors when mowing the lawn, or using power tools. Likewise, remove your dog as far away as possible when using vacuums/hairdryers etc.
Sound pollution is just one aspect of life that can impact on dogs, as well as human’s, in negative ways. While we can decide to keep the noise down, speak more quietly, turn off the television – dogs don’t have this choice. It’s worth having a think and seeing if we can reduce some of the noise pollution that dogs are subjected to. It can only be beneficial for their health – and possibly their sanity!
