Dog Ear Protection: Do You Need It?
If you’re a dog owner, then you know that your furry friend likes to put his or her head out of the window while you’re driving. While this is a cute sight, it can also be dangerous for your pet. Dogs have very sensitive ears, and they can easily become injured if they’re not protected. In this blog post, we’ll discuss whether or not dog ear protection is necessary and what types of products are available to keep your pup’s ears safe!
Loud Noises Hurt Dogs Ears
Loud noises can definitely hurt dogs’ ears. Just like humans, if a dog is exposed to too much noise it can cause long-term damage to their hearing. Pet owners or dog handlers tend to notice when an animal stops responding to commands This is why it’s important to provide your furry friend with some form of ear protection when you know there will be a lot of noise going on.
Contrary to popular belief, dogs cannot hear noises from miles away. Dogs and people hear noises coming from the same distance away,
advises Rena Sherwood in How Does A Dog’s Hearing Differ From A Human’s. People hear about 20,000 vibrations of sound per second. Dogs can hear two to five times the number of vibrations!
Animals needed this extensive hearing capability when they lived in the wild. Those living in the wild maintain the acuity just as those living in our homes.
Domestication of dogs as household pets hasn’t changed their excellent hearing abilities. Because our dogs seem to hear sounds before we do, they often seem to warn us of impending danger. Heroic stories are often shared about pets saving their owners or family members from fire, earthquake, predators and intruders.
Extreme Situations For yYour Dog’s Hearing
- dog earss and gunshooting
Is It Safe to Shoot Around Dogs? There is a lot of debate on this topic. Some people believe that it’s perfectly safe to shoot firearms around dogs as long as the animal is wearing ear protection. Others maintain that even with proper ear protection there is still a risk of hearing loss or other injury. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and the level of risk you’re willing to take with your pet’s safety.
If you do choose to shoot while your dog is nearby, be sure they are wearing appropriate ear defenders specifically designed for canines. These will help muffle the sound of gunfire and reduce the chances of them being injured by debris or shrapnel.
- dog ears and flying
Dogs need ear protection flying just as they do when shooting. The loud noise of an airplane can be very harmful to a dog’s ears and can cause permanent damage. In fact, many airlines will not allow passengers to bring their pets on board if they are not wearing some form of hearing protection.
- dog earss and fireworks
The loud noise and flashing lights can be very frightening for dogs and can cause them to panic. This can lead to injuries both to the dog and people around him. In extreme cases, fireworks can even cause dogs to run away from home. To help keep your pet calm during fireworks displays, consider using ear protection specifically designed to reduce the sound of explosions.
Dog Hearing Protection Devices
There are two types of ear protection available to hunters. Over-the-head/ear and in-ear, such as CrittEar, protection, are examples of these.
Over The Head/Ear Dog Hearing Protection
A head wrap or earmuffs is the most common form of this sort of hearing protection.
The earmuff style uses elastic or velco straps to compress two cupped coverings that fit over your dog’s head with the aim of enclosing his ears. The straps wrap around your dog’s head and under his jaw. This type of dog hearing protection is problematic: difficult to secure, challenging to maintain positioning, and can come undone and block vision.
In-Ear Dog Hearing Protection
In-ear protection is a newer technology that some people are using to protect their dog’s hearing. These devices fit inside the ear canal and block out sound waves. They come in different sizes to ensure a custom fit for your pet.
The advantage of this type of protection is that it does not affect your dog’s vision or movement in any way. It is also very easy to keep in place, even when your dog is running around.
Whichever type of hearing protection you choose, be sure to test it out beforehand to make sure your dog is comfortable wearing it. And always double check the fit to ensure that they will be properly protected from harmful noise levels.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that your dog’s hearing protection should be worn every time they are exposed to loud noises. This includes not only during hunting trips, but also at shooting ranges, air shows, and other events where there is a lot of noise.
Final Thoughts
So, do you need ear protection for your dog? The answer is a resounding yes! Protecting your dog’s ears from potential damage is an easy way to keep them healthy and safe. By using the proper precautions—including using ear protection when necessary—you can help ensure that your furry friend stays happy and healthy while enjoying all the activities you love together!