Can Dogs Hear Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi is one of the most common things you’ll find in a developed country. It’s in homes, hotels, even fast food restaurants. It is everywhere, and it doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. It’s something we all live around on a daily basis, and concerns have even been raised about human health and being around Wi-Fi constantly. 

However, someone else might also have their health affected by Wi-Fi, too. Who, you might ask? Your dog! Some people wonder if dogs can actually hear Wi-Fi - which might or might not bug them. So, can they? It’s an interesting question. If they can, it could be a struggle on a daily basis.

We’re not exactly sure how a dog might act if they are specifically hearing Wi-Fi. We do know what a dog might do if they hear a new sound, though. So, what might you notice if your pooch is hearing something new? Well, they might listen very intently and be very alert.

Dogs ears are built to catch sound. So, you’ll probably notice their ears going up as they try and hear what’s going on. You’ll probably also notice their body stiffening, and they might even sniff the air. Dogs use their senses of hearing and smell together, often times. So, if they can pick up a scent, it might give them more information about the new sound they are hearing.

If your pup doesn’t like the sound they are hearing, that’s a different story. It might be hurting their ears - one of their most sensitive sensory tools. So, they might whimper, whine, or bark. Some dogs have even been known to lie down and cover or almost scratch at their ears. Many dogs might even try to get away from the sound as well. So, be careful about them trying to take off. If your dog is bothered and there is any way to get rid of the noise, it might be good to do that.

Not so long ago, humans didn’t even have the internet readily available. Once it became available, you had to plug your computers into a wall or router in order to get internet. 

In 1991, AT&T and another company called NCR Corporation developed a wireless system for cashiering, but the official name of the company that is credited with inventing Wi-Fi was called WaveLAN, according to CableFree.com. By the early 2000s, Wi-Fi started showing up in homes, and in today’s world, Wi-Fi can be set up in most places.

It was a huge achievement with major advances for humans. You now have access to all of the information the internet has to offer without needing to dial up or plug into anything. You can even use your phone with Wi-Fi. So, you don’t even need a desktop or laptop computer for most things anymore. 

With all of these advancements, it’s pretty safe to say that pups have been around Wi-Fi since it became readily available. So, if they can hear it, hopefully, it has just become a part of their daily routine - but who knows, with their uncanny ability to hear high frequencies.

Dogs can hear super high frequencies, much higher than humans. According to vetstreet.com, humans can only hear between 20–25,000Hz. Dogs, on the other hand, can hear between 67–45,000Hz! Also, as mentioned, dogs’ ears are built to catch sound waves, which is why you see them putting their ears up - it facilitates better hearing. Dogs aren’t the only animal that has great hearing. In fact, cats do as well. So, could all of your furry family members be able to hear Wi-Fi?

Unfortunately, we’re not sure, but it’s safe to say, they hear much, much more than humans do. It is hard to say if Wi-Fi has a sound, what it sounds like, or what frequency it might be if you could hear it. What if a human could hear it, though? 

According to IFLScience, there is a man who claims he can hear Wi-Fi through his hearing aid and a special software. There’s even a sample on the website of what it sounds like. To be bombarded by that sound 24/7 might be overwhelming, but at least it’s not too screechy when you listen to it. 

As for dogs being able to hear this, there aren’t a lot of reputable sources or research on the topic, unfortunately. So, we’re not 100% sure one way or the other.

As far as training your dog to hear Wi-Fi, unfortunately, you can’t. We’re not even sure if they can hear it or not. Even if they can hear it, it would be totally dependent on their ears working properly and them being able to communicate it to you. 

So, your best bet is to just to keep your dog healthy. Give them plenty of exercise, a good diet, and plenty of play time. If you’re interested in decreasing Wi-Fi around your family, that can be hard to do, as well. Even if you turn off your router, there are dozens of Wi-Fi networks around if you live in a neighborhood or around shops in a developed country. So, it’s just part of our reality - at least for now.