World Cup Noise and Dog Anxiety: How to Protect Pets on Match Day

Noise from World Cup football matches on TV can feel like indoor fireworks for your dog, according to veterinary and dog behaviour experts. 

World Cup fever is a national pastime in the UK, but as a nation of dog lovers we are also keen to protect their pets from the anxiety that comes with noisy goal celebrations and penalty commiserations. And search data curated by TopDog backs this up.

Searches for “dog stress” are up by 185% in the last year, now reaching 15-16 thousand monthly searches globally. Google Trends also shows noticeable spikes in searches like “dog upset football noise” and “does football noise upset dogs?” around major football matches, including the final day of the 2020–21 Premier League season, UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 in England and the 2023 UEFA Nations League final.

Additional data from AlsoAsked reveals pet parents' anxiety on the subject, asking for advice such as “What calms a dog down immediately?” and “what sounds soothe dogs” anxiety? 

The reality is that many dogs experience negative effects from a noisy football match on TV. Dr. Kathryn Dench (MA VetMB), Chief Scientific Advisor at Paw Origins explains: “Dogs experience the world through sound in a way that's far more amplified than we do. Their hearing range is significantly broader, so what feels like an exciting cheer to us can land more like a sudden, unpredictable shockwave to them.”

“It's not just the volume that’s anxiety-inducing for dogs, but the unpredictability of the noise,” she adds. “A quiet room that suddenly erupts into shouting, clapping, or chanting can trigger a startle response and activate the dog's stress system. Events like fireworks are the obvious example, but sporting events create a similar pattern of intermittent, high-intensity noise that can be just as unsettling for certain dogs.”

Spotting the signs that your dog is anxious

Unfortunately, dogs might already be struggling with anxiety before owners realise something is wrong. Veterinarian Iryna Smyrnova, DVM, Meowoff says “Once a dog is exposed to a loud noise they will exhibit a variety of symptoms indicating that they are experiencing excessive anxiety,” she says. “These symptoms may be obvious such as shaking, panting while neither hot nor exercising, pacing, attempting to find shelter under a piece of furniture or leaving the room.”

“In addition to the above mentioned behaviours some dogs may experience other less apparent symptoms including; lip licking, ears down, large eyes, clinging behaviour and/or damaging property through chewing/barking as they attempt to deal with their extreme anxiety.”

4 ways to keep your dog calm during world cup matches

1. Create a World Cup safe zone

“The key is creating a sense of predictability and safety for the dog while allowing the household to enjoy the event,” says Dr. Dench. “Start by giving your dog a designated ‘safe zone’ away from the main noise. This might be a quiet room with familiar bedding, toys, and access to water. Some dogs benefit from background noise like a fan or soft music to mask sudden spikes from the TV.”

“I would recommend setting up a safe area for him to go to when he becomes overwhelmed,” adds Iryna Smyrnova.

“Ideally you should provide a place for your dog to go to that is as far removed from the TV as possible. Additionally I would recommend playing white noise or calming music in the background during sports events as well as keep the TV volume low enough so the cheers don't startle your pet.”

2. Tire them out before kick‑off

“Proactive support can also be valuable,” says Dr Dench. “Regular exercise before the match helps take the edge off, and calming aids such as pressure wraps or veterinary-approved supplements can provide additional support. In more sensitive dogs, introducing these strategies ahead of time rather than reacting in the moment leads to better outcomes.”

3. Give them something positive to focus on

Certified professional dog trainer Terry Lynn Cuyler, owner of Pawsitive Results Dog Training, suggests occupying your dog with some new toys or a favourite snack: “You can buy them a Kong stuffed with snacks, or give them a chew or a lick mat. These activities are calming for dogs as they mimic the process of hunting.”

4. Manage the volume

Managing the sound profile of your living room before kick-off is also key, as well as moderating your reactions to a goal or red card. Dr Dench says: “Keeping the volume at a moderate level and avoiding sudden, explosive reactions right next to the dog can reduce the intensity of the experience.”

“If you know your dog is sensitive, celebrating a goal a little more quietly or stepping into another room can help prevent a stress response.”

For more on reducing your dog’s stress during noisy sports matches, read the full blog post here.