World Cup Noise Becomes Hidden Killer for Pets: Veterinarian's Urgent Warning

Veterinarian Scott Miller warned on ITV's 'This Morning' program that the uproar of the World Cup causes immense mental stress for dogs. Dogs have hearing four times more sensitive than humans—what humans can hear from 20 meters away, dogs can detect from 80 meters. Sudden cheers and shouts are like fireworks, giving dogs no time to adapt. Research by the UK Kennel Club shows that loud noises are the primary cause of anxiety, with fireworks, thunderstorms, and crowd shouting being the most common triggers. The animal welfare organization Blue Cross points out that signs of stress in dogs include trembling, panting, pacing, hiding, barking, or attempting to escape, with some becoming withdrawn or overly clingy. Miller advises: prepare a quiet corner for pets to hide, take them for a walk or play before the game to burn off energy, draw the curtains, and play background music to drown out loud noises.