Cats have an impressive hearing ability that’s much better than that of a dog, but generally, they don’t seem to have any problem whenever they hear dog silencers being used.
This is still up for debate, however, as cats are skillful in hiding their emotions. Even Dr. Jill Sackman of the Animal Behavior Consultants says that high-frequency sounds can trigger anxiety in them. If you have a little cat and a dog at home and you want to use a dog silencer to train your little canine, you might be worried about even using the said tool.
Learn more about dog silencers and how cats would react to it through this detailed article.
Can Cats Hear Dog Silencers?
Your cat can certainly hear dog silencers if the sound gets within their hearing range. These felines have a supersonic aural faculty that’s been acquired as early as 10 days of age. As predators, being skilled in understanding the sounds around them is a key to survival.
Dog silencers prove to be an effective training tool for dogs. And with cats showing a reaction to the noise the silencers emit, the market was prompted to create one that’s specially designed for felines.
The purpose of the instrument remains the same, and that is to stop your pet from exhibiting a certain behavior.
What Is a Cat’s Hearing Range?
Cats are mammals that have a broad hearing range of about 48 Hz to 85 kHz. Compare this to an average human’s hearing range that goes only from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. This fact supports even further the extreme sensitivity of such species to any type of sound.
A study has added that while these felines evolved, they kept on improving their extended high-frequency hearing without compromising their low-frequency hearing ability.
To add, when it comes to detecting high-pitched sounds, cats are 1 octave above the limit of a dog.
To compare a cat’s sense of hearing to an average dog silencer, the training tool is between 23 Hz to 54 kHz. This reasonably backs up the fact that cats can indeed hear the sound of a dog silencer, and they may even hear it worse than dogs. But the real query is, how would they react to it?
Will a Cat Respond to an Anti-barking Device?
A cat may or may not respond to an anti-barking device. Though they’ll obviously hear the high-pitched sound wave it creates, most felines would rather act aloof and disinterested. In some cases, their dislike of the sound can be observed if they act unfriendly.
It can be pretty tricky to determine, however, whether your cat is pained to hear the noise or not. After all, in the wild, showing pain is a sign of weakness, and if other predators notice this behavior, your cat can be an easy target.
Since there’s so much more to learn about what dog silencers actually do to cats, it’s best to avoid using this tool.
4 Reasons Why a Cat May Hate Dog Silencers
Cats are naturally alert to whatever happens around them, especially the sounds they start hearing. As their ears are extremely sensitive, there’s a reason to think that the dog’s silencer noises are actually annoying to them. Here are the 4 possible reasons why:
1. Because of the Sudden Noise It Makes
It’s no surprise that cats can be startled easily by sudden noises– from your simple “hey!” to the sound of metal dropping on the floor. A dog silencer’s sudden noise would also shock your cat, no doubt.
2. Because of Its High-Frequency Sound
PetMD believes that high-frequency sounds can cause anxiety in your cat. In fact, even a boiling kettle’s whistle and your sound are enough to disturb your little feline. Though these high-pitched noises can’t be heard by an average human, your cat certainly will. These sounds even include:
- Lamps.
- Whistle.
- School bell.
- Computer monitor.
- Fluorescent light bulb.
3. Because It Sounds Like Hissing
Hissing in cats is associated with fights and aggression. If the sound they hear sounds close to hissing, they’ll automatically feel defensive, feisty, and even stressed. Though not all dog silencers sound the same, some might, and your cat may react negatively to it once they hear its noise.
4. Because the Noise Can Be Too Loud
Humans cannot hear ultrasonic waves as they’re far from audible. And though, for you, ultrasonic whistles don’t emit sounds, they do reach a cat’s hearing range, and they can sound too much for a feline’s ears.
How to Properly Use a Dog Silencer
Training your dog is basically one of your responsibilities as a dog parent. There are several methods you can employ to make sure that the training goes well and successfully. Dog whistles, in particular, have been used for generations, and they’re only useful when they’re used properly.
While it’s initially true that this training tool won’t hurt your dog or cat, there are certain things to bear in mind, as anything that’s improperly utilized can lead to your disadvantage.
Here’s what you should do:
- Try different types of dog whistles and see which one your dog responds to best.
- Use an ultrasonic whistle if you’re training your dog from a long distance.
- Don’t blow the dog silencer near your dog’s ears.
- Whenever you use the tool, don’t blow it full force.
- Stay mindful of your cat and other animals in your neighborhood. Use the dog silencer in moderation.
You might also be interested in: 8 Tips on How to Get a Cat to Like a Dog
What Dog Silencers Are Not Meant to Do
Dog silencers are not a cure-all object. They do help in a way, but there are loads of things it’s not primarily used for. Here are the things these whistles are not meant to do:
- Dog silencers won’t totally change your dog’s behavior. It’s only a way to get there.
- The whistle won’t be enough to distract your dog.
- Dog whistles are not effective for deaf canines.
- It won’t stop your dog from barking. You have to intervene and make sure he understands why unnecessary barking is not ideal behavior.
Reading tip: Do Dogs Get Tired of Barking? 7 Easy Tips to Stop Them from Barking
Should You Use a Dog Silencer?
A dog silencer’s effectiveness is still subject to further studies. While some owners find it effective, the world of research is still lacking sufficient information regarding how dog whistles affect dogs, cats, and other animals that can hear them.
There’s more to unravel, especially since a human’s world in a hearing sense is far different from cats who have more sensitive ears. Add this up with their strong personalities that make them outstanding in hiding their real emotions. Pet owners like you are still yet to know and understand the real effects of ultrasonic whistles.
As much as possible, since it remains uncertain for everyone how good the dog whistle is, it’s wiser to avoid it. Pain and anxiety can be inflicted on a cat without your knowledge, and these can pave the way for them to develop behavioral issues.
