Dogs have an incredible sense of hearing, particularly sensitive to high-frequency sounds far beyond human capacity. While humans can hear sounds up to 20,000 Hertz (Hz), dogs can perceive frequencies as high as 45,000 to 65,000 Hz. This acute hearing ability enables them to detect softer sounds that humans cannot hear and is a trait inherited from their predatory ancestors, aiding in hunting small prey like rodents. However, this heightened sensitivity also means that dogs can be easily distressed by everyday high-pitched noises, such as those from vacuum cleaners or power drills, which may be louder to them and include frequencies that are inaudible to humans.
Given this sensitivity, providing your dog with sensory toys can be beneficial. These toys can help mitigate stress and anxiety by offering a distraction from overwhelming auditory stimuli and providing a form of comfort or engagement that doesn't rely on their sensitive hearing. Understanding their acute hearing capabilities supports the notion that reducing auditory stress through alternative sensory engagement, like chewing or playing with a toy, could be advantageous for their well-being.