Have you noticed that your dog is lately getting startled by loud noises? Are you thinking of trying out some aids to help your buddy with this issue? Well, you’ve come to the right place.
I’m presenting you with everything you need to know about noise-canceling headphones and earmuffs for dogs, as well as what you can do to protect your dog’s hearing.
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Do Dogs Have Sensitive Hearing?
If you suspect that your dog is overly sensitive to loud noises, you don’t have to worry. About half of the households have the same issue when it comes to loud sounds such as gunshots and thunder.
In addition, there are a lot of pets that are afraid of almost every unfamiliar sound. So, you and your furry friend are not alone and your problem can be solved!
Signs That Your Pet Has a Noise Aversion
In case your dog is shaking, trembling, or even trying to hide somewhere every time it hears a loud noise, you should definitely look into this behavior. In addition, other signs that your pet has an aversion to noise are being on alert and barking whenever there is an intense sound. You can even expect to see your dog following you around and looking for protection from the “danger”.
So, if your dog manifests any of these signs, it’s time to visit the vet. Furthermore, you can start searching for aids such as earmuffs. They will help your dog deal with a noisy environment better.
What Causes the Aversion and What Can You Do About It?
There isn’t a particular cause that results in a noise aversion. But, in most cases, it is inherited or developed by some kind of traumatic experience. Furthermore, dogs that are anxious and easily startled in general can become overly sensitive to noises over time.
What’s more, there isn’t a particular age or gender that is targeted the most. Furthermore, the aversion is not a sign of your bad care. Therefore, you shouldn’t be hard on yourself if your pooch suddenly starts becoming increasingly afraid of the noise.
The best thing you can do to help your pet is to take your friend to the vet as soon as you notice a negative reaction to loud sounds. A professional will help you with finding the right treatment as well as looking for ways to make your buddy’s life easier.
Can Dogs Wear Regular Human Headphones?
There have been so many videos of dogs listening and reacting to music circulating the internet. So, it’s not wrong to assume we can help our buddies’ sensitive hearing by giving them our noise-canceling earphones. But, can dogs actually wear human headphones? Let’s find that out.
Can Dogs Hear the Music?
The first topic that I want to cover is whether or not dogs can hear and react to the music from the headphones. The answer is yes, in most cases. It really depends on your friend’s interest in the music that comes from earphones, because there’s a huge chance that your pet will hear the sound and ignore it.
If you really want to check if your dog listens to the music from the headphones, there are a couple of signs that you should look for. Firstly, just like with everything else, your pup will probably be very alert and move its ears up and down trying to figure out the sound. That’s a clear indication that your pooch is listening to the music and analyzing it.
In addition, you can expect to see your pet confused, which will likely manifest by freezing its tail or even the whole body. Furthermore, in case your dog doesn’t like the music, it will show that with barking, squealing, or running away from you. Your pet might even try to remove those earphones from the head.
Either way, the moment you notice that your buddy isn’t reacting to the earphones well, you should remove them. What’s more, I don’t think that you should even try putting your headphones and playing music to your pet in any case. But, I’ll get to that part later in the article.
Will Human Headphones Fit Your Dog’s Ears?
Another question that you may have about the whole headphones on dogs situation is whether they would fit your pet. By that, I mean in a way that you don’t have to hold the earphones in order for them to stay on your buddy’s head.
Your furry buddy’s ears are different than yours. So, even though you’ll probably find headphones that will fit your pet, they won’t be able to stay in place for too long.
Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Use Human Headphones on Your Dog
As I stated before, I advise you not to use human headphones on your pooch. So, let’s go over some of the reasons why earphones can be dangerous for your best friend.
Dogs Have a More Sensitive Hearing
As we all know, dogs’ hearing is much better than ours. Their frequency range goes from about 40 to 60000 Hz, while ours goes between 20 to 20000 Hz. That means that your dog will probably be able to hear the music you play to it through your headphones.
However, this information also indicates that your pooch’s hearing is much more sensitive than yours. Therefore, loud and unpleasant sounds can seriously damage your dog’s hearing. I know that you don’t want that. So, it’s best that you keep human headphones away from your best buddy.
Dogs’ Ears and Ear Muscles Are Different
So, now we all know that turning the music on and putting the headphones on the pet is a bad idea. But, how about using noise-canceling earphones in order to protect the dog’s sensitive hearing? Well, that’s also not the best solution.
Your dog has an ear anatomy that’s different from yours. Therefore, you can not only damage its hearing but also its ears and ear muscles by putting an object such as headphones on your pup’s head. So, if you want to protect your dog’s sensitive ears, you’ll have to find a better way to do it. Luckily, I’ve found great alternatives, and I’ll gladly share them with you later in the article.
Best Noise-Canceling Headphones & Earmuffs for Dogs
We are crossing off human headphones from our list of things to try in order to protect the sensitive ears of our pets. So, what else is there?
Actually, there are two great solutions for your problem. The first one is to buy earmuffs that are specially designed for dogs. Another great idea is to buy your pet a special hoodie that will reduce the level of noise that it hears.
I know that you want only the best for your pet. That is why I’ve compiled a list of the best products out there to help you.
1. Mutt Muffs Hearing Protection for Dogs
Mutt Muffs Hearing Protection for Dogs look like headphones. They don’t have the ability to completely cancel out the noise, but they do help your pet hear sounds less loudly. So, they are a perfect choice for preventing hearing damage.
The manufacturer recommends that you train your pooch to wear Mutt Muffs in a loud environment. That way, your pet will have a better understanding of what these aids can do for its problem. You should be prepared that things might not go the way you want them to on the first try. However, your dog will probably need two or three chances to get used to the product.
Mutt Muffs are designed to fit your dog’s ears perfectly and they are comfortable to wear. The foam that they come with is actually the same resin foam that is used by the most high-quality human earphones. Thus, you can be certain that your pup is getting aids of the best quality that’s out there.
2. DerYEP DHP04 Dog Earmuffs for Hearing Protection
Talking about high-quality pet accessories, few companies are as reliable as derYEP, and its DHP04 Earmuffs are here to prove just that. Featuring a premium noise-canceling build, these earmuffs have one of the best noise-reduction rates on the market. As a result, they can protect your dog’s hearing from all sorts of loud sounds, including those caused by fireworks, thunder, motorcycles, and shooting.
Apart from their high NRR, the derYEP DHP04 earmuffs are also very comfortable. Thanks to a padded design and a wide range of sizes, they are easy to put on and won’t cause any discomfort to your beloved companion. Since these earmuffs boast a customizable headband, you can further adjust their tightness to make sure that they fit your pooch’s head at all times.
And, with multiple gorgeous colors to choose from, you can easily find one suitable to your dog’s personality!
3. K9 Hearing Protection for Dogs
The K9 Hearing Protection for Dogs is an industrial-grade product that provides passive sound reduction for your pets. These over-the-head devices are designed primarily to prevent hearing damage in noisy environments. But what makes these earmuffs so appealing is their impressive build.
Simply put, the K9 earmuffs can fit the curvature of most dogs’ heads. They are also lightweight and comfortable as they boast premium foam pads. And while they are only available in one size, you can adjust these earmuffs using the included straps. So be sure to check out these noise protectors if you want a reliable and efficient product!
4. Happy Hoodie
Besides earmuffs, you can also try to help your pooch with its noise aversion by buying a hoodie. If you are open to trying this kind of product, I recommend that you buy Happy Hoodie. It is specially designed for dogs and it will effectively reduce even the loudest sounds.
Furthermore, Happy Hoodie made of high-quality materials and you can be certain that your pet will feel comfortable wearing it. In addition, it is easy to use and fully washable. One of these will last you for years!
5. Zoni Pets, LLC Happy Hoodie
Zoni Pets, LLC’s Happy Hoodie was made to make pets calmer when being groomed. However, you can also use this product at home to reduce the level of noise that your dog hears. It will be helpful during fireworks, car rides, thunderstorms, and even vet examinations.
This hoodie also has a swaddling effect that will relax and comfort your pooch. It’s made of soft and lightweight fabric that is comfortable to wear.
Zoni Pets, LLC Happy Hoodie comes with two hoodies. There’s a larger-sized one that will fit almost any dog breed. The smaller size is great for small dogs, toy breeds, and even cats.
6. Frienda Quiet Ears for Dogs
Frienda Quiet Ears for Dogs feature an integrated full-wrap design that prevents irritating noises, like vacuum cleaners and thunder, from harming your dog’s ears. Furthermore, these earmuffs provide a comforting effect on your loyal companion, reducing anxiety and making them feel safe.
Frienda is known for putting a high emphasis on practicality, which is why its earmuffs are more than just noise protectors. In fact, they also help keep your dog warm throughout the day, thanks to a fleece inner layer.
The exterior is made from high-quality cotton processed through cutting-edge knitting technology. As a result, the Frienda earmuffs are incredibly durable yet flexible enough not to cause discomfort when placed on your dog’s head. According to the manufacturer, your dog won’t be able to break or deform these earmuffs, no matter how much they try.
Lastly, the Frienda Quiet Ears feature a trendy and friendly design. The cute bunny ears will help people feel safer around your pet during walks. And, if you don’t like the default beige style, you can always choose one of the other six breathtaking colors. With Frienda, your little companion will have the protection it deserves while also attracting the attention of any curious passerby.
Other Things You Can Do to Help Your Dog’s Sensitive Hearing
Besides choosing an aid that will protect your buddy’s hearing, there are a couple of other things you can do to reduce your pet’s exposure to noises.
Protect Your Pet From Loud Noises
Fireworks, thunder, and extremely loud traffic are things that will scare almost every dog, and they’ll be especially traumatic for those with a noise aversion. That is why you have to do everything in your power to protect your dog by not exposing it to these triggers.
You can do that by not letting your pup go outside during a storm and closing the blinds and curtains whenever there are fireworks. Furthermore, you can make sure that your pet stays in a room where it won’t be able to hear those loud noises that much.
In addition, you can buy a white noise machine or turn on your TV or radio in order to mask loud sounds. Distracting your dog with a ball or another toy is also a good idea.
Be There for Your Dog
You want to make your anxious dog feel safe. So, you should try to stay home and be with your dog whenever you know that there will be loud noises, for example during fireworks and storm seasons. That way, your pooch will be less afraid of the sounds and more focused on affection you’re giving it.
Create a Safe Place
Another thing you can do to help your dog is to create a safe, quiet place for the pet. You can use a couple of pillows and your pup’s blanket and put its favorite toys there. In addition, you can even soundproof the area where your pooch spends most of its time. If you want to learn about cheap ideas for soundproofing a room, I have a perfect article for you.
It’s best that you try to teach your dog to relax in this area that you’ve built before there’s a storm or firework season. That way, the pooch will feel safer there and even go to the area on its own whenever a loud noise startles it.
Don’t Yell at Your Pooch
Your buddy has an aversion to loud noises. So, yelling at the pet, no matter what it did, is not a good idea. Your voice will just scare your friend and make it feel less safe.
Furthermore, you shouldn’t be mad at your dog for being afraid of the noise. That will only make things worse and result in your pooch being aggressive towards you.
Take Vet’s Instructions and Meds Seriously
Your dog’s vet will probably prescribe it some medication for reducing the anxiety. He or she will also give you some great advice on how to help your dog in stressful situations.
You should take those words seriously. Furthermore, you shouldn’t be afraid of medicating your pet because meds, as well as other instructions, will certainly help your pup feel much better.
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