Football fever is sweeping the nation, but one TV vet says the excitement of World Cup matches could be having an unexpected impact on pets
As football fans soak up every goal, near miss and dramatic result, many may be overlooking one beloved member of the household. According to one TV vet, the noise and excitement surrounding World Cup matches could be causing hidden stress for dogs.
Dr Scott Miller issued the warning during an appearance on ITV’s This Morning over the weekend. He explained that while humans may enjoy the thrills and spills of tournament football, dogs can find the experience far more overwhelming.
“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,” he said. “They’re the sounds that our dogs are particularly sensitive to.”
The vet explained that dogs have far more sensitive hearing than humans. According to Dr Miller, a dog can hear sounds from around four times further away than a person.
“So if you can hear something from 20 metres away, they can hear it from 80 metres away,” he said. “You can imagine when you have your family, who are normally calm and lovely, suddenly screaming away beside them.”
Dr Miller compared the sudden outbursts during matches to the effect fireworks can have on pets. He said 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 explained. “They don’t get any warning for them.”
The warning comes as millions of football fans prepare to watch matches throughout the tournament. Research from Dogs Trust suggests many dogs can experience anxiety when exposed to loud or unfamiliar noises, with fireworks, thunderstorms and shouting among the most common triggers.
Animal welfare charity Blue Cross claims 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 Some dogs may also become withdrawn or unusually clingy when feeling anxious.
Fortunately, Dr Miller says there are several steps owners can take to help. 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 suggested 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, Dr Miller recommended 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 may be focused on the action on screen, experts say it’s worth keeping an eye on pets too. A little preparation could help ensure that both owners and their dogs enjoy a more comfortable tournament.
