Most humans have noticed that dogs don’t like vacuum cleaners, neither do cats for the most part! Many pet parents finally discover that this fear doesn’t go away over time, either. Human parents can usually tell their pets are uncomfortable as soon as the vacuum is taken out of the closet.

Vacuum cleaners are a necessary evil in the home, as much as our humans would like to keep us calm. Why do pets hate vacuum cleaners? Is there anything pet parents can do to make the situation better?

3 Main Reasons Vacuum Cleaners Scare Pets

In order to be able to help your pets, you will need to look at vacuum cleaners from our perspective. We may not know why you have to use that vacuum, but we are well aware of how they make us feel. Check out the three main reasons dogs and cats hate vacuum cleaners.

1.     Vacuums are Loud!

Even humans think vacuum cleaners are loud! Remember that your pet’s ears are quite a bit more sensitive than yours. Us dogs have nearly four times the capacity to hear as humans. This means we can detect sounds at higher octaves and further away. That means our sensitive ears pick up sounds you can’t even hear.

What about cats? They can hear a full octave higher than dogs can. If you think something (like a vacuum) is loud, it’s even louder to our super-sensitive ears. No wonder vacuums scare pets!

2.     Vacuum cleaners Move Aggressively

Why would a human think that a dog or cat would understand why a vacuum is used? To us, the way it moves around the room is especially weird and it doesn’t make any sense. Nothing else in your house moves around suddenly in a back-and-forth motion while suctioning the floor. Think about your pet’s line of vision, too. Our line of vision is much lower than yours, so the vacuum may look more aggressive when it’s on eye level.

3.     It Smells Different

Cats and dogs do a lot of navigating through our sense of smell. There are two different smells associated with your vacuum. The vacuum cleaner smells foreign to us after it’s been stored in a closet for a week or so. Secondly, the whole house smells different after it’s been used. For us that means a sudden and unexpected change in our world.

Tips to Help Pets Get Used to Vacuum Cleaners

There isn’t any guarantee that a pet will totally get used to a vacuum, no matter how often our humans use it. It can be especially hard on older pets who have never quite been able to get used to it. But there are a few things you can try to help get your pets more accustomed to the vacuum. Hopefully, these can help your pet feel more comfortable around a vacuum cleaner.

Introduce a Non-Running Vacuum Cleaner

Most pet parents try to spare their furry family members from pain and suffering by using the vacuum as little as possible. Maybe you start it and put it back away as soon as you’ve finished. That’s very nice, but it can be counterproductive when it comes to helping pets become more comfortable around the vacuum.

Try introducing the vacuum to your pet(s) from a distance, with it turned off. Start in one corner of the room and slowly bring it out into the open throughout the day, as long as your pet seems comfortable.

Roll the Vacuum Around without Sound

Just having the vacuum in the room isn’t going to be enough to totally desensitize your pets. It’s not just the noise that pets react too, it can also be the movement. To help with this, roll the vacuum around the room without turning it on. Go slowly and gently at first. Then, gradually build up to your normal movements and speed as you notice your pets getting used to it.

Vacuum for Shorter Times

Of course, you want to get all the vacuuming done at one time. But that’s really not the best way to help your pets get used to the machine. Try using the vacuum for shorter times. Split it up by area or room. Maybe stop now and then for play breaks with your dog or cat in between.

Purchase a Quieter Unit

If you have an older model, it may be louder than some of the newer options available. You may also be able to use some attachments to help make your vacuum seem less aggressive to your pet. Some pets tend to do better with some of the lower, robotic vacuum options available today. These are usually much smaller and quieter than older upright brands. But remember that it’s still important to introduce it to your pet slowly and stay in the
room with them while it is running.

Give Pets a Safe Place

There are a lot of pets that are not going to love the vacuum cleaner no matter how hard you try. You can still try to take steps to help them get used to it being used. Always make sure to provide them with a safe, quieter place to retreat to while the vacuum is being used.

It can be a crate with their favorite blanket, or just a cozy spot you set up for them in the closet. It just needs to be in a room that you are not cleaning. You may be able to provide a barrier (think pillows or blankets) to help muffle the noise and bring comfort to your pet. Also, make sure to never trap your pet in the same room while using a vacuum cleaner. They should have a clear path to their retreat area.

About the Author: Hazel

Hazel is the head engineer at Pawer Lab. He develops and tests the latest pup-focused inventions for Pawer Lab. He is passionate about enjoying the small things in life. The border collie’s hobbies include riding in the car, stalking the mailman, and fetching tennis balls.