Dogs have incredible hearing abilities, surpassing that of humans. While they rely heavily on their sense of smell, their hearing is also highly developed. Dogs can hear four times better than humans, which explains why their ears perk up at seemingly nothing, like a fly.
Signs Your Dog Hears a Fly
Flies can be extremely annoying to dogs, given their superior hearing. Dogs’ exceptional hearing is what makes them excellent search and rescue animals and protectors. Surprisingly, many dogs find the buzzing of flies to be the most irritating sound of all. Some dogs may twitch their ears, frantically look around for the sound, or even retreat to another room if the fly persists. Instead of laughing at their fear, consider how loud and irritating that noise must be to them.
Body Language
Here are some signs that indicate your dog can hear a fly: growling, being alert, tilting their head, listening intently, twitching their whiskers, and having a lack of focus. Other signs include leaving the room, acting strangely or annoyed, and chasing the fly.
History of Dogs Hearing Flies
Recent studies have shed light on our understanding of dogs. They can experience emotions similar to humans, and their hearing is exceptional. Although we cannot pinpoint the first instance of a dog hearing a fly, it is likely that they have been annoyed by flies for a long time, just like humans.
The Science of Dogs Hearing Flies
Humans interpret pitch based on frequency, with lower notes being around 20 Hz and higher notes around 20,000 Hz. Dogs, however, can hear frequencies ranging from 40 to 60,000 Hz. This explains why dogs struggle with loud noises and can hear things that are beyond our range. It also helps us understand why a fly can seem so loud and bothersome to a dog.
Dogs can hear sounds approximately four times farther away than humans. We may have observed our dogs barking at the door for no apparent reason, only to realize later that someone was passing by. Dogs’ exceptional hearing abilities allow them to pick up on sounds that we cannot, including buzzing flies. Dogs with large ears are particularly bothered by small, buzzing bugs.
Training Your Dog to Deal with Flies
While you cannot train your dog to hear or not hear a fly, there are things you can do to provide them with a more peaceful environment. Instead of dismissing your dog’s fear of flies, create a fly-free space where they can feel safe. Dogs’ sensitive ears make buzzing flies especially annoying, so it is important to pay attention to your dog’s behavior and help them avoid the annoyance of flies.
“Give your dog some credit – that buzzing fly is four times louder to them than it is to you.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Dogs have exceptional hearing abilities, hearing four times better than humans. This explains why their ears perk up at seemingly nothing, like a buzzing fly. Understanding this can help you empathize with your dog and recognize when they may be bothered by certain sounds.
2️⃣ Dogs with their ears on the top of their heads are better able to detect sound direction compared to humans. They can filter sounds and select what matters most to them. Being aware of this can help you understand why your dog may react differently to certain noises and why they may be particularly annoyed by flies.
3️⃣ Pay attention to your dog’s body language to determine if they are bothered by a fly. Signs such as growling, alertness, head tilting, listening intently, twitching whiskers, lack of focus, leaving the room, acting strange or annoyed, and chasing the fly can indicate that your dog hears a fly and is bothered by it. Being observant and providing a fly-free space for your dog can help them feel more at ease.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. How does a dog’s hearing compare to that of humans?
– Dogs can hear four times better than humans.
2. Why are dogs more bothered by flies than humans?
– Dogs’ hearing is more sensitive, so the buzzing of a fly is amplified for them.
3. What are some signs that a dog can hear a fly?
– Growling, alertness, head tilting, listening intently, twitching whiskers, lack of focus.
4. What is the frequency range that dogs can hear?
– Dogs can hear frequencies ranging from 40 to 60,000 Hz, while humans can only hear up to around 20,000 Hz.
5. How can dog owners help their dogs deal with flies?
– Providing a fly-free space for the dog to retreat to and paying attention to the dog’s behaviors to understand when they are bothered by flies.
