Why Is My Dog Afraid of the Air Fryer? [Explained]

If you didn’t know already, some dogs are absolutely terrified of air fryers. Not just a little bit either, there are endless complaints online from dog owners that are left with their poor dogs being scared to death, trembling in fear all because of air fryers. If this has happened to your dog recently don’t panic, it seems to be a pretty natural response that many dog owners are complaining about.

So why are dogs so afraid of air fryers? What is it about them that makes them so terrifying to dogs? Well, the most probable reason is that some air fryers emit a high-pitched frequency that some dogs are sensitive to. If your dog is panicking, afraid or even shaking because of the air fryer it’s most likely because they are being exposed to these high-pitched noises. Dogs obviously have much sharper hearing than humans so something that might sound like a normal noise to us could actually be incredibly loud and scary to a dog.

The Science Behind Why Dogs Are Scared Of Air Fryers

Dogs have a hearing range that goes up to around 40,000 Hz, while humans can only hear up to around 20,000 Hz. This means that dogs can hear high-pitched frequencies that we as humans cannot and it turns out that there are a lot of different household appliances and machines which emit scary high-frequency sounds that dogs certainly do not take to. 

Some people’s dogs seem to be fine with air fryers though, right? So why is my dog scared and my friend’s dog is fine? Well, this is most likely because different dogs have different hearing ranges too. There isn’t one size fits all when it comes to hearing with dogs.

Generally smaller dogs can hear higher frequencies. For example, a chihuahua has a hearing range of around 16,000 to 20,000 Hz while a Mastiff’s hearing range is only around 8,000 to 12,000 Hz. This means that sounds such as very high-pitched dog whistles can only be herded by smaller breeds generally.

There are lots of differences when it comes to dogs and hearing. A Cocker Spaniel has very sensitive hearing and can pick up even the faintest sounds. While bullmastiff breeds have less sensitive hearing and sometimes can mistake or misunderstand simple sounds. 

Understand Why Your Dog Is Scared

If your dog seems scared of the air fryer just try to understand that they are hearing things that we are unable to hear. These sounds can be startling and at times even painful to them. If your dog is getting constantly stressed or scared by the air fryer it might be a better idea not to use it when they are in close proximity. Try moving your dog to another room if your dog displays distress or anxiety around the air fryer. 

Tips to Calm Your Dog Down After Getting Scared by the Air Fryer

1. Take your dog for a lovely walk. What do dogs love more than anything after all? Walk time. Walking is a great way to calm down your dog and it gives them time to explore and sniff around. Walks are adventures for dogs, with all the stimulating activities going on they’ll soon forget about the evil air fryer! 
2. Give your dog some yummy treats! Dogs are often motivated purely by food. Offering treats to your dog can help take their mind off stressful things and reduce anxiety. 
3. Give your dog a massage – Just like humans dogs can benefit from a nice relaxing massage. Make your dog feel comfortable and let them know you are there to protect them and look after them. 
4. Give your dog some toys or something chewable. Keeping your dog’s mind busy with toys is a great way to distract them from whatever is stressing them out.

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Other Reasons Your Dog Might Be Scared of an Air Fryer

1. It’s an unfamiliar item that makes strange sounds! Dogs are sometimes scared of things that are new and unusual. If your dog has never seen an air fryer before it’s possible they are just confused by it.

2. It’s possible that your dog is afraid of the heat that comes from an air fryer. In some rare cases, dogs are known to be weary of hot items or heat-producing appliances. Potentially because they had a bad experience with one previously and got burnt. 

3. There’s also a chance your dog is fearful of the smell, if your air fryer is new it maybe emit a strange unfamiliar smell. Try running it for a few minutes without any food and see if there’s any difference. 

Final Note

If your dog is scared of the air fryer there are a couple of things you can do to help them feel more comfortable around it. Try moving it or your dog to different locations, or try training your dog with positive reinforcement. Ultimately the well-being of your dog should be your number one priority and if the fryer is causing your dog to be terrified you might want to rethink using it.