Any pet owner knows all too well that dogs smell everything. From your neighbor’s mailbox to the living room carpet, these furry friends spend much of the day with their noses on the ground. So, you might be wondering how a dog’s sniffer actually works. When your pup is receiving proper veterinary care and their nose is working well, it can do some pretty amazing things. 

What You Didn’t Know About Your Pooch’s Snoot

Dogs Can Smell Emotion

A dog’s sense of smell is about 100,000 times better than that of a human’s, so this means they can smell even the slightest changes in human bodies. When humans feel anxious or scared, they often start to sweat slightly. This shows a dog that someone is feeling some sort of emotional stress. Dogs can also sense changes in body language, so that’s why your pup may be extra affectionate when you’re sad.

Pups Have an Extra Organ for Scent

Your dog has a small organ called the vomeronasal, which humans don’t have. They use this organ to detect pheromones in other dogs. While your pup might not be using this organ in the wild, this sense exists to help them reproduce and interact with other dogs. The next time you take your dog for veterinary care, ask your vet about this interesting canine body part. 

A Canine’s Nose Is Complex

When you are breathing, your human nose can only take air in or out. A dog’s nose, however, can do both at the same time. The nostrils are also able to smell independently of each other. The brain takes these separate pieces of information to better understand the surrounding area. This ability can be essential in survival. 

They Smell When You’re Leaving

If your dog gives you sad eyes when you’re getting ready to leave for work, it’s not a coincidence. Canines actually sense time through their sense of smell. Each time of the day has a unique smell. So, your dog associates certain smells with you leaving for work and returning at the end of the day. 

To keep your dog sniffing for years to come, you need veterinary care you can trust. Cat & Dog Hospital of Columbia has been providing quality care for Maryland’s pets for over 30 years. Their compassionate veterinarians and staff offer wellness checkups, spaying and neutering, vaccinations, flea treatments, and more in their updated facility. For more information about their veterinary services, visit their website or call (410) 995-6880 today.