Let’s face it, most of us want to rock out at one point or another. Whether it is hard rock, punk, or good old country music, sometimes you just need to play it as loud as it will go. But you have to wonder about your poor little pup and their ears. Is loud music bad for Shih Tzus?
Is Loud Music Bad for Shih Tzus?
I had a neighbor once that would leave the radio on for her cat while she was gone during the day.
She would leave it on so loud that I could hear it in my apartment across the hall.
It was pretty annoying.
Come to find out, the cat didn’t like the noise either.
For a cat or a dog to actually enjoy music, it must be in the right frequency range and have a tempo that emulates its own natural communication.
In other words, that cat wasn’t jamming with the human music being played.
Keep in mind, the type of music isn’t the issue.
Whether you listen to classical music or heavy metal it is the volume that is the problem.
But, is that music actually bad for your Shih Tzu?
It can be…
Why You Shouldn’t Play Loud Music Around Your Shih Tzu
Let’s face it loud music while fun to listen to isn’t good for anyone.
It can damage your ears and you may not see that damage until you are older.
But for dogs, it can have a profound effect right away.
1. Dogs Have Sensitive Hearing
Dogs have sensitive hearing.
They can hear things that you can’t and hear noises that you don’t pick up.
That’s why they might perk up even if you haven’t heard anything.
Because their hearing is more sensitive than humans, loud music can be uncomfortable.
Also, it can stress them out.
2. Dogs Can Lose Their Hearing Too
Just like humans, dogs can lose their hearing or go deaf.
Loud music can damage a dog’s inner and middle ear.
It can even hurt a dog’s eardrum or the small bones in the inner ear.
Loud sounds can be an issue as well if your dog is around them for long periods of time.
Picture a dog on a construction site for example.
You might also enjoy:
Are Shih Tzus Hypoallergenic? (Not exactly…)
Signs That Your Shih Tzu is Losing Their Hearing
Just like your grandpa listening to the TV at full volume and asking you to repeat yourself, there are signs you can pick up on that your dog is losing or has lost its hearing.
If your dog normally responds when you call and they stop doing so, this could be a sign that their hearing is failing.
Other signs include:
- Being startled at loud noises when those noises didn’t use to bother them
- Not waking up when there is a loud noise
- Barking a lot when they didn’t use to do so
If your dog has lost hearing in just one ear, they may still respond but they will have a hard time locating where the sound came from.
My Shih Tzu, Truman is getting pretty old. He is 17 and while he can still hear, he does have hearing loss in one ear.
When watching him, I can pick up on his body language and tell that he is confused and unsure of where the noise is coming from.
It’s tough getting old.
You might also enjoy:
Should You Microchip Your Shih Tzu? Yes!
How Many Puppies Can a Shih Tzu Have?
To Sum it All Up:
As a pet parent, you want to do what you can to provide your dog with a calm and stress-free living environment. This includes the sounds and volume of sounds you expose your dog to. So, if you listen to loud music on a daily basis, see what you can do to remove your dog from a louder environment to reduce the effects of sound and loud music exposure to a minimum.
Please Note:
This article is informational only and does not substitute for veterinary advice. Always check with your veterinarian or doctor if you are concerned about your Shih Tzu. This article should not be considered in any way as veterinarian advice.
