Can Dogs See Ghosts?

Can dogs see ghosts? It’s a question you might have asked yourself late at night when your dog suddenly started growling and barking at an empty corner, or the back of the closet, or that room of the house that you never go in after dark because it’s just too scary. And if you’re a believer in the paranormal, it’s reasonable that you would assume that your doggo is tapping into the afterlife! 

Of course, there’s no way to prove scientifically that our dogs can see ghosts because, well, there’s no scientific evidence that ghosts exist. But hey, there’s plenty that we humans don’t know. Who’s to say that your dog isn’t sniffing out apparitions? 

In this article, we’ll offer a few different explanations as to why your dog’s behaviour gives you (and maybe their doting Dog Sitter!) goosebumps. By the end, you can come to your own conclusions about whether dogs can see ghosts!

Dogs certainly can sense things we can’t

Whether or not you believe in ghosts, there’s no denying that dogs have an amazing set of sensory skills. With hearing capabilities that far exceed our own, the ability to see in low-light settings, and a nose that frankly puts us to shame, dogs pick up on much more of the world around them than we do. 

It’s possible that when your dog stands in the middle of a dark room staring at what you can only imagine is a ghost, they’re really listening to a feral cat outside or—eek!—a mouse nesting in the walls. And when your dog barks or growls to, you assume, ward off the dark spirits, they may simply be telling a dog passing on the street that this territory is taken.

The problem is, our doggos can’t tell us what has prompted them to stop in their tracks and stare into the night or bark at seemingly nothing. The explanation could be something completely ordinary. Or, it could be something otherworldly. We’ll never know for sure.

They can sniff out illness and death, so can dogs see ghosts? 

Thanks to their superior senses, dogs are also very attuned to signs of danger and even death. Whether they’re putting up their guard towards a person that they deem untrustworthy or aiding in a homicide investigation, dogs seem to be able to sense bad auras.

But, is this because dogs are tuned into the spiritual world? 

Maybe. Another possible explanation, though, is that dogs pick up on signs of death and ill-intent as a survival instinct. In the wild, being able to detect an animal that has passed or is in distress is a pretty good way to avoid danger. We should also remember that canines are natural scavengers. They may have a particular ability to sniff out death because in the wild, it would lead them to a meal.  

Can dogs see ghosts or are they just really good at seeing us?

As amazing as our dog’s skills are at sensing the world around them, there’s one area where they really shine: reading their beloved humans! 

If you walk into a room that you consider downright spooky, your clever canine friend is sure to pick up on your mood change. That could make them more alert and ready to jump into action to protect their pack member. 

Dogs are also able to read their Owner’s feelings of sadness and grief, prompting them to act strangely when they see their human interacting with the belongings of a passed loved one. If your pup starts to whimper as you flip through an old photo album, you might wonder whether they’re reacting to your emotions or the spiritual presence of those you’re reminiscing about.

Some dogs really do bark at nothing

In some cases, a dog might bark in the middle of the night, not because of their superior senses or the presence of a ghost, but rather because of a condition called Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome. Also called Sundowner Syndrome, this condition causes confusion, nervousness, and sometimes agitation at night as the result of old age. 

Instead of worrying that your aging dog is communing with Casper, it’s a good idea to comfort a dog with Sundowner Syndrome. Make sure that they are checked by a veterinarian and consider leaving them in the care of a capable Pet Sitter if they’ll be alone after dark.

Still believe that dogs can see ghosts? You’re not alone!

Maybe your friends and family roll their eyes at your belief that your dog can see spirits. But the truth is, there’s a long history of dogs being associated with the afterlife! In Aztec tradition, for example, the god of the underworld was depicted with a dog head. His name, Xolotl is the root of the hairless dog breed, the Xoloitzuintli, and these spirit-sensing dogs were tasked with accompanying spirits through the dangerous journey to the afterlife.

Can dogs see ghosts? You decide!

If you’re a firm believer that dogs cannot see ghosts, then there are plenty of real world reasons for your dog’s strange barking habits. Whether they’re listening to sounds you can’t hear, reacting to your emotional state, or experiencing cognitive confusion, many of your dog’s mysterious barking outbursts can point to logical explanations.

But, if you are team dogs-see-ghosts, well, we’re not here to stop you! Because we don’t yet have the technology to read doggy minds (yet!) and because there’s no evidence that ghosts don’t exist, you’re free to believe in your dog’s paranormal abilities. 

The most important thing is that you give your dog a comforting cuddle and maybe don’t watch scary movies when you and your pup are home alone!

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