can our pets be affected by arguments within the household?

Answer 1

Well of course they can.

I have two cats. The older one has adopted my oldest grandson as "hers".

Years ago, when the cat was young, and very protective of him, she would come running every time I told the kid off for his latest unthinking exploit (like not bothering to hang up his wet snowsuit and having only a wet snowsuit to wear to school the next day), and would stand there and give ME hell for raising my voice.

But, over the years, she has learned that this kid sometimes NEEDS to be yelled at so he will learn to think about the consequences of his actions--like when he was fascinated by scissors and would cut ANYTHING--and sometimes EVERYTHING! (He was 10 at the time so no baby, who didn't know better.) By then she would still come and listen to me give him hell, but she very rarely interfered--only when she felt that I was carrying it too far, I think.

So, yes, THIS cat is very affected by the arguments going on in the household.

Oh, and by the way...if my grandson does something very stupid, or is deliberately stretching out his bedtime with excuse after excuse...this cat will start giving HIM hell on her own! Meowing at him louder and more emphatically, and attempting to herd him upstairs to his bed.

Answer 2

Absolutely. We had one dog that would hide everytime an argument insued. After a long while (like a couple years) she chose sides. So, be careful. If your pup shys away when the fights start, they could eventually choose a side and bite at the one that he/she feels is the aggressor. Even in heated discussions. They are very sensitive to arguing. It can also go the other way where the dog can see the arguments as a 'pecking order' thing. The dog may turn on who ever he/she views as weaker to mark its place in the pecking order.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

Yes. I've seen the reaction of pet dogs during a fight. They huddled into the corner for safety, just like children tend to do. The tail and ears go flat and they shrink in fear, much the same as we would in that position.

Answer 4

Yess they can if you yell to much they may think you are yelling at them and they will constantly be afraid of you. You need to have a mellow envirnment around pets they are your friends and want to help to calm you down. Heres a test you will know if the envirnment is to harsh if every time you lift your hand by a dog (sorry if it's not a dog) they will flinch away. that's a bad thing.

Answer 5

Our cat always senses when my husband and I are in conflict. Even when I'm trying to be nice and have decided to say nothing about a situation, she'll start crying and come running to us for comfort until we're all happy and in accord.. It really makes me stop and think about what I'm doing when I put bad vibes out into the world. Also, the pointlessness of lying.

Answer 6

Animals do somehow sense the mood you are in. They're actually better at understanding our emotions than we are at understanding theirs. Some think they learn to pick up on subtle body language, others that we give off pheramones that they pick up, others still think they may be able to recognise an increase in heart rate.

Answer 7

Our dog picks up on heated arguments and will leave the room!

Answer 8

Yes, they are affected just like people over stressful situations.

Answer 9

How would you feel if 2 Doberman's were fighting in the next room?

Answer 10

my parrot senses any mood im in and so did my mums dog,if there is voilence the dog may change towards the instigater but they do pick up on alot any animal has sixth senses.x