Most of our pets are exposed to masks — scary or otherwise — at least annually, at Halloween. But because of the pandemic, seeing people in masks has become a daily occurrence for many pets.
According to experts, and a completely unscientific survey on social media, animals rarely respond to masks with concern.
Professional dog groomer Julie Ellingson in Sacramento, Calif., says none of her canine clients bats an eye when she greets them in a mask. They just look for a new place to deliver a kiss, usually targeting her glasses.
Veronica Barker of Tustin, Calif., wore a mask long before COVID-19 came along, in order to protect herself from inhaling dust while grinding the nails of her English springer spaniel, Polly. Barker says Polly is unfazed by the face covering.
That's probably because animals rely on more than a view of our faces when it comes to identification.
"They have other points of reference, such as eye contact, our tone of voice, scent, body language — and in some cases, familiarity with the person," says Dr. Wailani Sung, veterinary behavior specialist at San Francisco SPCA.
Other cues such as gestures or movement can also contribute to their recognition of a particular person.
Masks muffle voices, and that can be an issue when working with or training dogs, so it's important to speak clearly. Wearing a mask with a transparent section over the mouth allows other humans — and very likely dogs — to read lips and better understand what's being said.
