According to a recent study published in the April 2012 American Journal of Veterinary Research, the noise levels in a kennel environment can be dangerous for your dog. The study followed 14 dogs and their time in two separate kennels. Noise levels were measured at various times throughout the stay, and hearing tests were done beforehand to establish a baseline. After living in the kennel for either 3 or 6 months, ALL of the dogs participating in the study showed a measurable decrease in hearing ability. The researchers recommend that sound-reducing strategies should be an integral part of kennel design.
The kennels got as loud as 108 decibels- this is approximately equivalent to running a jackhammer without earplugs! It is really no wonder that dogs have hearing damage from this volume. So, how do we avoid permanently damaging our dogs’ ears? Sound dampening. There are many options available for sound reduction, including inexpensive sound “sheets,” specially made building materials, and countless other means of absorbing the noise.
What do you do to minimize damage to your dogs’ ears?
July 15, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Holy Cows! They need to have foam cones panels on the ceiling at the least. Poor pups.