We often underestimate how smart our pets are, assuming that they don’t understand what’s going on around them. However, both dogs and cats are very sensitive to their environment, and have the ability to pick up cues in our behavior.
That’s why the next time you’re arguing in front of your pet, you may want to reconsider. Newsweek spoke to veterinarians to understand how witnessing an argument can impact their mental health, and here’s what we know.
Do pets understand that you’re arguing?
Dr. Nell Ostermeier, a veterinarian for Figo Pet Insurance told Newsweek that both dogs and cats pick up on the vibe in a room, so when you’re arguing, there’s a good chance your pet will sense that something is off.
While they do not understand the exact words being exchanged, they can tell by the tone and volume of your voice or by the look on your face, that you’re upset.
A study published in the Cell Press journal Current Biology exposed dogs to pictures of the same person making an angry or happy face and analyzed their behavior to see if they could tell the difference.
After repeating the test with 15 different picture pairs, scientists found that our pups are indeed able to distinguish angry and happy expressions in humans, even those they’ve never met, and they know that each expression has a different meaning.
The same goes for cats, who, like their canine counterparts, are able to pick up on our body language cues, tone of voice, and facial expressions.
Does witnessing a fight make our pets feel nervous or unsafe?
“Pets can feel stressed or anxious when exposed to conflict,” Dr. Nita Vasudevan, a veterinarian for Embrace Pet Insurance told Newsweek.
According to Vasudevan, when this happens, dogs may exhibit signs of distress like pacing, whining, and hiding. Some may even try to intervene, while others may comfort their owners by nuzzling or staying close.
Cats’ reactions are more subtle and may be harder to notice. When they are stressed by their environment, they may retreat to a quiet space, over-groom, or display stress signs like tail flicking or dilated pupils.
For some pets, especially those with past negative experiences, loud noises, sudden movements, or aggressive tones can be triggering. These pets may even display fear-based behaviors like trembling or destructive chewing.
A stock image shows an angry couple sitting on opposite ends of a couch, with their pup in the middle looking sad.
getty images
How to calm down your pets after they witness an argument?
According to Ostermeier, lowering your voice and de-escalating the situation will help decrease your pet’s fear and anxiety. Talking to them with a calm voice and taking them for a walk, can help to calm their nerves too.
“If you know that you may be engaging in an argument, it may be best to take the conversation away from the ears of your pet,” he added.
At this time it’s important that you also avoid sudden movements, according to Vasudevan, which may startle your pet. Instead make them feel safe by giving them access to a quiet, familiar area where they can feel secure.
Playing calming music or white noises can also help pets relax and provide a soothing environment. Calming products, like pheromones or vet-approved herbal remedies for cats, and CBD supplements or aromatherapy for dogs can also help.
“Pets thrive on routine, so maintaining their feeding, walking, and play schedules can help reduce stress,” said Vasudevan.
If your pet shows signs of ongoing anxiety even when there’s no conflict, it might be a sign of underlying stress, which should be addressed by a veterinarian or an animal behaviorist.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
