Smell plays a fundamental role in our life. It is enough to observe a dog carefully to know that this sense is even more important for this pet, capable of feeling and being interested in odors that often go unnoticed by us. However, what does a dog sniffing a lot mean?
After all, why do dogs smell so much?
Vision is such an important sense for us that almost everyone has heard the expression “eating with their eyes” or has had the experience of wanting to try some food just because of the appearance.
In this sense, it can be said that the impact of vision is so great that, many times, we are unable to recognize food in everyday life just by taste and smell. As for dogs, although it is important, vision is not the main sense.
According to the doctor. Katia de Martino, veterinary doctor specializing in animal behavior, smell is the most developed sense in dogs. “They have about 25 times more olfactory receptors than we humans do,” she explains.
Dogs smell
Thus, through smell, they apprehend the world around them, even though, like us, they also have hearing, taste, touch and sight.
Since dogs are able to capture odors that are imperceptible to us, it is natural for them to start sniffing at times when we are not aware of a different smell, which is one of the reasons why the owner notices the dog sniffing a lot.
As explained by Dr. Katia, among the pieces of information that dogs capture through smell are: who has been determined at the location, if there is a female in heat nearby, if there is any element different in the food (such as insects or some medicine) and even if a pet or a person is afraid.
What can it mean when a dog is sniffing a lot?
As seen, dogs capture a lot of information when they sniff, but what does it mean when we see a dog sniffing everything? What can make you sharpen your sense of smell even more in certain situations?
According to Dr. Katia, we can identify a dog sniffing a lot whenever he identifies the passage of some very important odor, such as a female in heat or some snack, a type of food that is prepared with flavorings precisely to attract the pet's attention.
In addition, many stronger smells, especially when they have not yet been identified, tend to attract attention. This can be embarrassing at times, like the dog sniffing around the house too much, for example. In these cases, the tip is to distract the pet with something more interesting, like a snack.
Is it true that some dogs sniff more than others?
Yes, it's true! This is because, originally, most of the dog breeds we know today did not arise spontaneously. On the contrary, they were selected to perform certain functions, so we can also see a dog sniffing a lot because of the breed.
The selective crossings that gave rise to the breeds aimed to enhance certain characteristics, both behavioral and physical, among them, the keen sense of smell in the sniffer dog breed.
Among the dog breeds with the most developed nose are group 6, the category of bloodhounds and the like, such as the Blood Hound, Basset Hound and Beagle. Even though they have a keen sense of smell, there is no need for them to eat dog food for sniffer dogs.
With regard to sniffer dogs, it is interesting to note that, most of the time, the skill is linked not only to the muzzle, but to the ears, which, because they are pendula (drooping), help retain odors close to the olfactory receptors.
How to encourage a dog to sniff more?
Sniffing is a natural behavior, therefore perfectly healthy for dogs, so if your four-legged friend doesn't have many opportunities to put his nose to work, it's worth rethinking his routine and environment.
If you want to know how to teach your dog to sniff, one of the most effective ways is to bet on toys or games that allow foraging, that is, the search for food resources.
In this sense, invest in stuffed toys and activities such as “treasure hunting”, hiding snacks around the house and encouraging the pet to look for them. Remembering that, in addition to providing social stimulation, the famous leash walks are important tools to stimulate the dog's senses.
Beware of very strong odors!
Precisely because dogs have such a developed sense of smell, extra care is needed with very strong odors, such as concentrated disinfectants, which can cause irritation.
Including, even odors considered smooth and pleasant to us, such as perfumes, can bother pets, triggering sneezing. When applying fragrances or any products with a strong odor, try to keep some distance from the dog, going to airier environments.