Can we use the same technique to call back our feline friends in the same way that we call back our canine friends using a Dog Whistle?
Dog whistles function by emitting high-frequency sounds that humans’ limited hearing ranges cannot hear. We can confidently state that cats can hear dog whistles because they typically have a wider range than most dogs.
Are Cats Sensitive To Dog Whistles
Cats can hear dog whistles just as well as dogs can, and they are sensitive to them.
Using dog whistles on cats repeatedly over time may potentially harm their hearing. This is because cats have a hearing range that is almost two octaves higher than that of humans, and that range can be damaged by loud, high-pitched sounds.
Cats can hear frequencies between 20Hz – 67KHz.
Cat owners’ natural curiosity about what a cat can hear is understandable. This is a question that scientists have also pondered, and cats’ hearing abilities have been fairly well established. A comparison between the sound frequencies that cats can hear and those that people can hear is provided in the table below.
| Humans | Cats | |
| Lowest Threshold | 20 Hz | 20-30 Hz |
| Most Sensitive Threshold | 3000 Hz | 8000 Hz |
| Highest Threshold | 20 kHz | 67 KHz |
The lowest sounds that cats can hear are fairly similar to those that humans can hear. This sound is extremely rare because sounds at 20 Hz are so low.
However, compared to humans, cats have a much higher threshold for hearing and are much more sensitive to sound in general. As a result, cats ought to have no issues hearing a dog whistle.
Are Dog Whistles Harmful To Cats
Yes, dog whistles are harmful to cats.
Dog whistles can cause hearing damage in cats over time. This is especially true if your cat is frequently present inside or nearby when the dog whistle is being used.
Because cats do not communicate their pain in the same way that people or even dogs do, many people are unaware that a dog whistle is damaging their cat’s ears. People frequently mistakenly believed that a cat in pain was grumpy or agitated.
Here are some common signs of pain in cats:
limping, shifting weight oddly, or adopting an odd stance when standing or lying down.
● Reduced grooming or excessive grooming
Take your cat to the veterinarian right away if you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms in them. Of course, this is a generalized list, so many of these symptoms may not be present in a cat who only has ear pain.
Because of this, a cat with ear pain might only seem agitated or exhibit sudden, seemingly random behavioral changes.
Can cats hear a dog whistle?
Cats have one of the best hearing ranges of all animals and can hear both high and low frequencies. According to research carried out by the National Library of Medicine, they can hear frequencies of up to 85 kHz (85000 Hertz).
Ultrasonic sound waves produced by a dog whistle can be heard by cats. Dog whistles produce high frequencies because they are audible to humans at a lower frequency. Dogs can hear from 40 Hz to 60 kHz, while cats can hear from 48 Hz to 85 kHz. This means that a dog whistle can be heard by both dogs and cats.
Cats can hear dog whistles, but unless they have been taught to respond to one, they probably won’t. If you want to use a dog whistle to train your cat, you must combine the sound with positive reinforcement, such as treats or petting. Only then will your cat link the whistle sound to a pleasant experience.
While some dog owners still train their dogs with a dog whistle, clicker training has gained popularity in recent years. Using a dog whistle has the advantage that your dog can hear it from a far away, and after training, your pets will return to you when they hear the whistle. When compared to shouting or calling your dog, a dog whistle has the advantage of being audible from a greater distance. Additionally, you won’t be making a racket or disturbing others as you might by shouting or blowing a conventional whistle
Infrasound, audible frequencies, and ultrasound are the three categories of sound.
Infrasound, also known as low-status sound, occurs below the human hearing range. Infrasonic describe sounds that are between 0. 001 and 20Hz. Infrasonic waves are produced by earthquakes and tsunamis. Animals can hear or, more precisely, feel these hours before a natural disaster happens. Animals frequently relocate to higher ground before a tsunami strikes.
The human hearing range, which is between 20Hz and 23kHz (23000Hz), is referred to as audible frequencies.
As these sound waves have frequencies that we cannot hear, ultrasound is outside the range of human hearing. Most animals can hear ultrasound, including cats and dogs, which gives them an advantage when hunting or avoiding predators.
Cats have better hearing than dogs because they prey on small animals like mice and rats that make loud noises. Wild cats must be able to hear ultrasound in order to survive. Even though they are no longer required to hunt for food, domestic cats still have excellent hearing and can still hunt.
Cats’ ears can also detect sounds from a distance and identify their source. This facilitates hunting and enables domestic cats to locate their owner when they call.
FAQ
Do cats respond to whistles?
Through early experience, they are aware that a whistle is a command to pay attention, to come, or to carry out another specific action. Cats can be trained to respond to a person whistling if given enough time and patience, especially if the whistling is used to indicate that their food is ready.
Do ultrasonic dog repellers work on cats?
To lessen incursions by unwanted cats, ultrasonic deterrents provide a practical, humane solution. Although they won’t stop every intrusion, ultrasonic deterrents do shorten their frequency and duration.
Do dog whistles work on other animals?
A dog whistle, also known as a silent whistle or a Galton’s whistle, is a type of whistle used in training dogs and domestic cats that emits sound in the ultrasonic range, which humans cannot hear.
Do cats hear high pitched noises like dogs?
Cats are able to hear much higher-pitched sounds of up to 1 kHz, while humans and cats have similar hearing ranges (on the relatively low end of the scale). 6 octaves higher than the human vocal range and 1 octave higher than the vocal range of a dog