Which statement best describes hearing in dogs and cats compared to humans?

Which statement best describes hearing in dogs and cats compared to humans?

• A. They hear softer and higher-frequency sounds than people
• B. They hear only louder sounds than people
• C. They have poorer hearing than humans
• D. They hear lower frequency sounds than people

Answer: (A)

Dogs and cats have a wider and higher-reaching hearing range than humans, plus greater sensitivity to quiet sounds. Their ears pick up softer noises and much higher frequencies that are inaudible to people. For context, humans typically hear up to about 20 kHz, dogs to around 40–45 kHz, and cats even higher, up to about 64 kHz. So the best statement is that they hear softer and higher-frequency sounds than people. The other options contradict these facts: they’re not limited to louder sounds, they aren’t poorer overall at hearing, and they don’t primarily hear lower frequencies.

Dogs and cats have a wider and higher-reaching hearing range than humans, plus greater sensitivity to quiet sounds. Their ears pick up softer noises and much higher frequencies that are inaudible to people. For context, humans typically hear up to about 20 kHz, dogs to around 40–45 kHz, and cats even higher, up to about 64 kHz. So the best statement is that they hear softer and higher-frequency sounds than people. The other options contradict these facts: they’re not limited to louder sounds, they aren’t poorer overall at hearing, and they don’t primarily hear lower frequencies.