Few animals enjoy loud noises, but for nearly two-thirds of dogs, loud sounds are more than startling. Noise averse pets experience extreme anxiety and fear, similar to a person’s panic attack, when they hear a specific, or many, loud noises. This fear and anxiety can manifest in a variety of ways, and can be incredibly distressing for pets and their owners. Our Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital team has put together this guide to noise aversion in pets to help owners understand the causes, signs, and management strategies for this common condition.

Understanding noise aversion in pets

Noise aversion is a condition that causes pets to experience fear or anxiety in response to loud or sudden noises. Noise aversion, which is most commonly seen in dogs, but can also affect cats, can be triggered by a variety of sounds, including:

  • Thunderstorms
  • Fireworks
  • Gunshots
  • Loud television sounds or music
  • Sirens
  • Loud cars
  • Doorbells
  • Vacuum cleaners and other home appliances

While any pet can be affected, some are more likely to experience noise aversion. Some predisposing factors include:

  • Genetics — Some dogs may be genetically predisposed to noise aversion. Certain breeds, such as German shepherds and collies, seem more prone to noise aversion than others.
  • Traumatic experience — Pets who have experienced trauma or a negative experience related to loud noises, such as being in a car accident or during a natural disaster, may be more likely to develop noise aversion.
  • Lack of socialization — Pets who have not been properly socialized to loud or sudden noises may be more likely to develop noise aversion. This is especially true for puppies who were not exposed to a wide variety of sounds during their critical socialization period.
  • Age — As pets age, their hearing and cognitive function may decline, and they become more sensitive to loud noises and more likely to develop noise aversion.

Identifying noise aversion in pets

The stress and fear that noise-averse pets experience can gradually damage them mentally, and their panic sparked by the triggers can cause them to become destructive, or to make an escape and run away. Treatments can improve noise aversion, but the first step is identifying the problem. Watch for changes in your pet’s behavior, especially during loud or sudden noise events. Your pet likely is noise averse if you note any of the following behaviors:

  • Lip-licking or yawning
  • Hiding 
  • Trembling
  • Panting
  • Drooling
  • Vocalizing
  • Pacing
  • Urination or defecation 
  • Refusal to eat or drink
  • Destructive behavior in an attempt to escape

Diagnosing noise aversion in pets

If you suspect noise aversion, your veterinarian can perform a physical exam and review your pet’s medical history to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to their anxiety. This noise aversion checklist also can help you determine if your pet is affected. 

Managing noise aversion in pets

A multimodal approach works best to help reduce your pet’s sensitivity to sound and includes a combination of the following strategies:

  • Environmental management — Expose your pet to different places and people.
  • Behavior modification — Behavior modification involves using a variety of techniques to change a pet’s response to a particular stimulus, such as a thunderstorm, and may include the following: 
    • Desensitization — By exposing your pet to a triggering noise in a controlled manner and gradually increasing the noise intensity, they may slowly become less reactive. This can be done with the help of recordings of the noise or by exposing your pet to the actual noise in a controlled environment.
    • Counter conditioning —  This technique involves associating a triggering noise with something positive, such as a treat or a favorite toy. Over time, your pet can learn to associate the noise with the positive experience, which can help to reduce their fear and anxiety.
  • Medication — The goal of medication is to reduce your pet’s anxiety level and thereby alleviate their mental suffering and distress. Medications also increase training effectiveness, because the pet may not be capable of learning until their anxiety is relieved. Calming supplements and medications can be given daily or only during noise events. Consult your veterinarian to determine the best medication and dose for your pet. 

Noise aversion in pets can be a serious issue, but you can help your pet cope by understanding noise aversion, and how to identify and manage the condition. If you are concerned about your pet’s response to loud noises, let our team alleviate their anxiety and help them feel safe and secure. Contact our team at Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital to schedule an appointment.