Ordinary household sounds that we often take for granted can be a significant source of stress for our pets, leading to behavioral issues and distress.
In her article, “Common household sounds are stressing out our pets, but little research has been put into giving them a happier life,” Dr. Emma K. Grigg from the University of California, Davis, notes that we still know very little about how everyday noises affect the well-being of our pets. Her research reveals that the sounds made by household appliances, which we barely notice, can cause our pets considerable discomfort.
In Grigg’s recent study, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, she and her colleagues conducted surveys of dog owners and analyzed online videos to document the reactions of dogs to various household sounds. The results were alarming, with many dogs displaying clear signs of fear, anxiety, and distress in response to sounds like the low-battery beep of smoke detectors, the high-pitched chirps of microwave ovens, and the roar of vacuum cleaners. These sounds may seem trivial to us, but dogs reacted intensely to high-frequency and intermittent sounds, such as those emitted by electronic devices, much more than to low-frequency, continuous sounds like vacuums.
Grigg says dogs often display behaviors such as pacing, trembling, hiding, or staying close to their owners when these noises occur. Unfortunately, many pet owners are unaware of the distress their pets are experiencing. In fact, Grigg found that in 45.6 per cent of the videos, the owners were amused by their pets’ reactions, and in some cases, even deliberately antagonized their dogs to get a more dramatic response. This insensitivity highlights a broader issue of misunderstanding the emotional needs of pets, particularly when it comes to how they react to seemingly mundane household sounds.
One of the critical findings of Grigg’s study is that dogs’ heightened sensitivity to high-frequency sounds makes them especially vulnerable to distress from these noises. Unlike humans, dogs can hear sounds at much higher frequencies, which means that the beeping of a smoke detector or microwave can be incredibly irritating or even painful to them. This difference in auditory perception is a crucial factor in why pets may seem disproportionately affected by noises that we can easily tune out.
This research not only sheds light on a specific problem but also underscores the lack of attention given to pet welfare in general. Grigg points out that while there has been significant progress in understanding animal behavior and welfare in recent years, much more needs to be done to educate both professionals and the general public about how to recognize signs of stress and anxiety in pets. She mentions that in veterinary education, applied behavior is often underrepresented, with many veterinary students graduating without adequate training in diagnosing and treating behavioral issues.
In fact, Grigg refers to a study by Calder et al., which found that only 26.8 per cent of graduating veterinary students in North America felt prepared to handle behavior problems in their practice. This gap in education reflects a broader issue within the veterinary field, where the behavior of companion animals is often seen as less important than the physical health of the animal. However, as Grigg argues, understanding the behavioral and emotional needs of pets is just as vital to their overall well-being.
The implications of Grigg’s research go beyond simply understanding how household sounds affect pets. She points out that many pet owners turn to outdated or uninformed sources for advice on pet care, which can lead to negative outcomes for both pets and their owners. A lack of education on how to properly care for pets, particularly when it comes to recognizing signs of stress or anxiety, can result in behavioral problems that are difficult to manage. This can lead to a strain on the human-animal bond and, in some cases, cause pets to be surrendered to shelters.
Grigg advocates for a more holistic approach to educating pet owners and professionals about animal behavior. She believes that coursework in companion animal behavior, welfare, and human-animal interactions should be more widely available in undergraduate and veterinary programs. By providing students with a deeper understanding of the needs of pets, we can improve the quality of life for both animals and humans. Grigg points out that a better understanding of pet behavior would not only reduce stress and injuries caused by aggressive or fearful animals but also alleviate the emotional toll on shelter workers and veterinarians who have to manage pets with behavioral issues.
Moreover, Grigg’s work emphasizes that the behavior of companion animals should be considered a valid and important topic within the life sciences. While many animal science programs focus on wildlife or production animals, there is a growing interest in studying the behavior and cognition of dogs and cats, as these animals play a significant role in our daily lives. Grigg calls for a shift in how we approach animal behavior studies, arguing that pets deserve the same level of attention and care as other animals in scientific research.
Grigg’s article. highlights a critical yet often overlooked aspect of pet care: how everyday household sounds can cause significant distress to our pets. Her research demonstrates the need for greater awareness and education on this issue, both for pet owners and professionals. By better understanding the emotional needs of our pets and the impact of our environment on their well-being, we can create a more harmonious and less stressful living environment for them. Grigg’s work calls for a shift in how we view and treat our pets, urging us to prioritize their mental and emotional health just as much as their physical health.
About the Author: Mariana Burgos is a freelance artist, writer, and tutor. She has been a solo parent for 17 years now because she is the wife of Jonas Burgos, a Filipino desaparecido. She and her daughter are animal lovers and are active in advocating not only human rights but the rights of animals as well.
