From their sensitive sense of smell to supersonic hearing, dogs can pick up on many things we can’t. But can dogs see ghosts? Does barking at a wall, looking around like they can see something, or sleeping next to a dead relative’s belongings mean that your dog can sense the paranormal? The truth is — we don’t know if dogs can sense supernatural entities like ghosts, spirits, or even demons. There might not be any scientific evidence that ghosts exist, but we do know that dogs have far better senses than our own.
“That opens the door to discussing if dogs can sense something beyond human reality,” said Dr. Katie Higgins, owner and medical director of GoodVets Plaza Midwood. This begs the question — are there things that humans cannot see, hear, or smell relating to paranormal activity that dogs can detect?
Can Dogs Sense Things Beyond Our Reality?
Your dog might act like they’ve seen or smelled something beyond your reality — even ghosts! The following senses might explain their odd, possibly paranormal-detecting behaviors.
Their sense of smell
You probably already know that your dog’s sense of smell is better than your own, but do you know just how much? “A dog’s sense of smell is about 10,000-100,000 times more sensitive than a human’s,” Dr. Higgins explains.
If your dog is standing sniffing the air, you might be wondering if they’re sensing the presence of a departed loved one. Still, it’s also worth remembering that a dog’s nose is so sensitive that they can pick up on tiny environmental changes like humidity and barometric pressure.
Their superior vision
Scent isn’t the only impressive sense our dogs possess. A dog’s eyes are much better than ours at picking up movement and have a wider field of view. These advantages could explain why your dog sometimes stares off into space.
They can also see slightly better than us at night, thanks to tapetum lucidum. These reflective cells behind the retina help bounce light back through their eyes a second time.
Their enhanced hearing
Does your dog freak you out when you’re home alone and act like they’ve heard something you can’t? That’s probably because they have! “Dogs can hear a wider range of sound frequencies, softer decibels, and have moveable ears allowing them to funnel in more sound waves,” Dr. Higgins says.
If you spot your dog pricking their ears, tilting their head, and staring into space, they might just be trying to hear a sound you can’t even register.
Do Dogs Remember Deceased Family Members?
Dogs might not understand if their favorite person passes away. However, they can grieve the same way that we do. You might even see your dog gravitate toward the belongings of a deceased family member. But can dogs see spirits too?
“While it may seem like a dog is sensing the presence of their departed loved one, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim,” explained Dana Brigman, a certified pet health coach and founder of The Well Oiled K9. In this case, Brigman says the dog is more likely grieving and seeking comfort from familiar scents rather than seeing ghosts.
What Else Explains Dog “Ghost” Reactions?
Does your dog ever react to something you can’t see, hear, or smell? Dr. Sabrina Kong from WeLoveDoodles mentioned that while “these behaviors might be eerie, they’re often influenced by a dog’s health, emotional state, conditioning patterns, or memories.”
Staring into space
Dr. Higgins says staring into space and barking at nothing can be common in older dogs showing signs of cognitive decline or “doggie dementia.”
Staying in one place longer than normal
If your dog is drawn to a location associated with positive memories of a departed loved one, they may choose to hang out there more often. But, Brigman says, sometimes dogs stay in one spot when they’re sick or injured.
Shunning or acting scared of a particular location or person
“A dog might avoid a spot where they once had a negative experience,” Dr. Kong says. These associations can be formed during the puppy development stages known as “fear periods.” Additionally, if they’re scared during these periods, that will carry into adulthood.
Barking at a specific spot or corner
“Barking at a certain spot on the wall or corner of the room could also be a sign of anxiety or heightened senses,” Brigman says.
If you’re ever concerned about changes in your dog’s behavior, it’s always best to seek your veterinarian’s or professional trainer’s advice.
“While the idea of dogs seeing ghosts is a fun and spooky thought, it’s crucial to approach such behaviors with understanding and empathy,” Dr. Kong adds.
So, Can Dogs See Ghosts? It Depends
We might never have a definitive answer to whether dogs see ghosts. But we know that a dog’s world is greatly influenced by their heightened senses and affects their behavior.
“It comes down to whether or not you believe in paranormal activity,” Dr. Higgins concludes. “If you do, then your dog is likely able to detect that activity.”