Can Dogs See Ghosts?

Considering how some dogs behave at night, especially when having a zoomie, one may say that dogs can not only see ghosts but even talk to or chase them. Almost like if our dogs could talk to us, they would describe the ghost costumes they want for Halloween!  

These are all jokes. There is no scientific evidence that dogs can see ghosts. We don’t even know if ghosts or so-called “spirits” exist. It would be a crime to mention science and ghosts in the same sentence we feel. 

But we do understand why some people feel and actually believe that dogs can see ghosts. While ghosts may not be the right word for it, interestingly, there are some things that dogs can hear and feel that humans can’t. Here are some of them – ⁽²⁾

Dogs can hear sounds up to 64,000 Hz, while humans can only hear up to about 20,000 Hz. They can also hear negative decimals, the sounds that aren’t loud enough for us. These include the squeaks of tiny animals, a distant truck rumbling, thunder from far away, etc. 

Things like passing vehicles create a vibration that dogs can feel long before humans can see them.

Yes, dogs can read your emotions and behave accordingly. We are sure you’ve already seen plenty of Reels and Tik-Toks where a dog tries to make a sad owner happy. You may argue that even humans can do this, but most people would agree with us that not everyone can. And even if they do, not everyone will put the amount of effort a dog puts to make the situation better for the person. 

With an estimated 1,000 to 10,000 times more scent receptors, dogs clearly have a smelling capability that far exceeds ours. And it’s not just limited to smelling bones. They can even detect metabolic changes in breath and skin and can smell things like diabetic and epileptic body odor.

Our canines can sense the chemical and biological changes in the body that occur before death.

The scent receptors come into action even to smell rain and sense the changes in the atmospheric pressure. Using this, they can sense a storm from miles away. 

Can Dogs Sense Bad Vibes? 

If we are talking about sensing bad or negative vibes from a person, yes, dogs can sense them. Negative vibes usually come in the form of stress, anger, or hostility through body language, facial expressions, or the energy emitted by a person. Given the fact that dogs have heightened senses, they allow dogs to sense bad vibes and stay away from them or protect their owner from them. ⁽¹⁾ 

How do I Know if My Dog is Seeing a Spirit?

There is a high chance that your dog is not actually seeing a spirit. And when we say high, it is almost 100% (adding the ‘almost’ here for the margin of error that even scientists need). So, if you see your dog barking at practically no one, they may be looking at an object that's associated with a deceased family member or hearing a sound that you probably can’t hear, etc. 

Can Dogs Sense Spirits in the Room?

If by spirits you mean a glass of smooth Highland Whiskey or a Tennessee, the answer may be yes, given the amazing sense of smell they have. But if by spirits you mean ghosts, then we are 100% positive that they cannot. 

Why is my Dog Staring at the Wall?

‘Walls have ears’, but there is a high chance that your dog is not staring at it to try and listen to the conversations your neighbors are having. Nor is there any ghost or a spirit that only they can see and talk to. There can be multiple reasons for your dog to stare at a wall. These include – ⁽³⁾ 

Your dog may have heard the almost non-audible sound that a spider or other insects make or sensed a tiny movement somewhere. 

The reason could sometimes be as basic as boredom. Other times it could be a little more serious if the dog is feeling anxious or stressed. 

Although rare but common in old dogs, the reason for them staring at walls could be a vision disorder, especially if the behavior is new.

Just like old humans, old dogs also face the risk of cognitive dysfunction with age. It is usually seen as dementia with symptoms like disorientation, confusion, and aimless wandering. 

Lastly, there could be an underlying medical issue causing disorders like seizures, pain, etc. that can cause unusual behaviors like staring at a wall.

Can we help here?

There is a high chance that if your dog is staring at a wall or barking at someone invisible, it’s just a sound that you can’t hear or a feeling you can’t sense. However, you can’t ignore the fact that there could be other underlying medical issues as well, causing such behaviors. 

The treatment can involve diagnostics which include blood and urine testing, radiographs (X-rays), and possibly ultrasounds, followed by medications, prescription diets and follow-up vet visits. Seems like a lot of expenditure, doesn’t it?  
We wouldn’t want you to worry about the treatment costs when your pet is sick or injured. So, we’ve got a solution for you. With pet health insurance you can save up to 90% of all these costs. 

Dog Insurance can help provide financial assistance for eligible veterinary care in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Our plans can help pet parents manage the eligible costs of covered veterinary care and help ensure that their pets can receive the best treatment possible. Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:

To learn more about Spot Plans or to get a free quote, click here.