Dr Scott Miller, a television veterinarian, has warned that the noise and excitement of World Cup matches could cause hidden stress for dogs. Appearing on ITV's This Morning over the weekend, Miller explained that while humans enjoy the tournament's thrills, dogs can find the experience overwhelming due to their heightened hearing sensitivity.
"It's so exciting having the World Cup and people get excited, overexcited, and there's a lot of high-pitched shrill noises that emanate from our beings," Miller said. "They're the sounds that our dogs are particularly sensitive to."
Dogs' Hearing Far More Sensitive Than Humans
According to Dr Miller, dogs can hear sounds from approximately four times farther away than humans. "So if you can hear something from 20 metres away, they can hear it from 80 metres away," he explained. "You can imagine when you have your family, who are normally calm and lovely, suddenly screaming away beside them."
Miller compared the sudden outbursts during matches to the effect fireworks can have on pets. Unexpected cheers, shouting, and celebrations can be frightening because animals receive no warning before the noise occurs. "It's just these high-pitched sounds that happen out of nowhere," he said. "They don't get any warning for them."
Common Signs of Stress in Dogs
Research from Dogs Trust suggests many dogs experience anxiety when exposed to loud or unfamiliar noises, with fireworks, thunderstorms, and shouting among the most common triggers. Animal welfare charity Blue Cross notes that signs of stress in dogs can include trembling, panting, pacing, hiding, excessive barking, and attempts to escape from noisy environments. Some dogs may also become withdrawn or unusually clingy when feeling anxious.
How to Help Your Dog During the World Cup
Dr Miller recommends several steps to help pets cope. One of the most important is ensuring pets have access to a quiet space away from the excitement. "Have somewhere that your dog can slink away to, or your cat as well, away from the noise and the hubbub of the game," he advised.
He also suggests tiring pets out before kick-off. A walk, interactive play session, or mentally stimulating activity can help encourage relaxation later in the day. "Making sure they're nicely tuckered out, maybe play an interactive game with them, stimulate their minds as well as their body, and then feed them as well," he said. "So they've got that sort of Sunday afternoon feeling. They are a bit sleepy and a little bit relaxed."
For households expecting particularly loud celebrations, Miller recommends drawing the curtains and playing low-level background music. These measures can help mask sudden noises from both inside and outside the home.
While football fans focus on the action on screen, experts say it is worth keeping an eye on pets too. A little preparation could help ensure that both owners and their dogs enjoy a more comfortable tournament.
