16/04/2024
Cessna Lifeline Tip for the Week
DID YOU KNOW: Both dogs and cats have more sensitive hearing than humans? Dogs can hear at higher frequencies and detect sounds from a greater distance, while cats have an even broader range of hearing than dogs.
This heightened sensitivity means that sounds which might be merely loud to us can be startling and overwhelming to them.
Sounds include firecrackers, thunder and other loud noises.
Loud noises may trigger the "fight or flight" response in many animals. Since the source of the noise is not visible and thus can't be fought off, flight—or showing fear and anxiety—becomes the primary response. Hiding, shaking, or seeking comfort from owners are common reactions in pets experiencing this fear.
To help pets manage this stress, pet owners can take several proactive steps:
* Providing a safe, quiet space for their pet during known noisy events like fireworks or storms.
* Using soundproofing or white noise to mask the disturbing sounds.
* Desensitisation training over time to reduce their pet’s reaction to loud noises.
* Consultation with a veterinarian or a pet behaviourist for severe cases, which may require anxiety-reducing medications or specific behavioural therapies.
What do you do to keep your pets comfortable at home during times when noises are too loud? Tell us in the comments section.
Stay tuned for more such tips!
