Humans have long been curious about dogs and their senses, but there is still much we don’t know. However, we do know that dogs have exceptional hearing abilities. They can hear four times better than humans and can pick up on breathing sounds.
Signs Dogs Can Hear Breathing
If you’ve ever noticed your dog looking at you intently when you sigh or breathe heavily, it’s because they heard your breathing change. Dogs become more alert and may twitch their ears or perk up when they hear something that catches their attention. They may also pay more attention to you when you are sick because your different sound intrigues them.
Body Language
When dogs hear something interesting, they show it through their body language. If you are breathing heavily, your dog may bark, tilt their head, howl, wag their tail, or have their ears up.
Other Signs
Other signs that dogs have good hearing include hearing dog whistles that humans can’t, looking for something that you can’t hear, reacting to seemingly nothing, and looking off into the distance.
History of Dogs Being Able to Hear Breathing
Dogs have a strong sense of hearing and smell, which contributes to their ability to detect changes in breathing. Many people have reported that their dogs knew they were pregnant or could tell when someone in the family was ill. Dogs are more aware of their surroundings than humans due to their senses.
Science Behind Dogs Being Able to Hear Breathing
Dogs can hear sounds that humans can’t past 20 feet away, up to about 80 feet away. They also hear a wider range of pitches than humans. Dogs have 18 muscles in their ears compared to humans’ six, allowing them to move their ears in different directions to better hear sounds. The curvature of their ears also amplifies noises, helping them hear accurately from a distance.
Dealing with a Dog’s Good Hearing
It’s important to protect your dog’s ears since they are so sensitive. Puppies should be able to hear before three weeks old, and if they don’t respond to auditory stimuli, they should be tested for deafness. Loud noises can be scary and painful for dogs, so they should be leashed and monitored in noisy environments. Dogs with sensitive ears are prone to ear infections, so it’s important to learn how to clean their ears properly.
Overall
Overall, dogs have incredible hearing abilities that surpass those of humans. Understanding their hearing capabilities can help us better care for our furry friends.
“Dogs have an incredible ability to hear, even the subtlest changes in breathing, making them attentive and in tune with their surroundings.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Dogs have extremely good hearing – Dogs can hear up to four times better than humans and can hear noises from further away. They are able to hear breathing sounds and may become more alert or concerned when they notice changes in your breathing.
2️⃣ Dogs give off body language cues when they hear something that interests them – If your dog hears something that catches their attention, they may bark, tilt their head, howl, wag their tail, or perk up their ears. These are signs that your dog is paying attention to a sound.
3️⃣ Dogs should be protected from loud noises and monitored outdoors – Dogs have sensitive ears and can be easily scared or hurt by loud noises. It is important to leash and monitor your dog when in places where they might hear scary or exciting noises. Additionally, dogs may try to run towards noises, which can lead to injuries from cars or other animals, so it is important to protect them with a leash or carrier.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. What are some signs that dogs can hear breathing?
– Dogs may look intently at the person breathing heavily, perk up or twitch their ears, and become more alert.
2. Why do dogs pay more attention to their owners when they are sick?
– Dogs are intrigued by the change in sound when their owners are sick, which leads to them being more attentive and concerned.
3. How do dogs’ ears contribute to their ability to hear?
– Dogs have more muscles in their ears than humans, allowing them to move their ears in different directions to better hear sounds. The curvature of their ears also amplifies noises, helping them hear accurately even from a distance.
4. What is the range of pitches that dogs can hear compared to humans?
– Humans can hear sounds between 20 hertz and 20,000 hertz, while dogs can hear sounds in the range of 40 hertz to 60,000 hertz.
5. How can owners protect their dogs’ sensitive ears?
– Owners should be mindful of loud noises that can be scary and painful for dogs. Leashing and monitoring dogs in places with potentially scary or exciting noises, using carriers during travel, and learning how to clean their dogs’ ears to prevent infections are all ways to protect their sensitive ears.
