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Exploring the World Through Their Nose: The Vital Role of Sniffing For Your Dog’s Wellness
Your dog’s nose plays a big role in their overall health and wellness. While your nose has 6 million scent receptors, your dog has more than 200 million! Imagine going for a hike and being dragged along too fast to visually register the trees, mountains and landmarks. Dogs explore the world with their noses and sniffing is essential for their mental and emotional well being.
Dogs use their sense of smell to explore, communicate and evaluate. It is incredible the amount of data our dogs collect just by sniffing. Landmarks like fire hydrants and trees are full of aromatic messages of who’s been there, their gender, and how they are feeling. We have all been there, our dog stops to sniff, walks ten feet and stops to sniff again. The urge to pull them along can be strong, but keep in mind that sniffing is actually really good for your dog’s health.
Your dog takes in a lot of information when they sniff. And not only is this information interesting, it’s also mentally stimulating. Taking in all of the scents and interpreting them takes a lot of brain power! Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise. Sniffing can also reduce your pup's heart rate, making it calming and relaxing. Research shows that allowing dogs more time to sniff makes them more optimistic.
Have you ever heard of the term sniffari? Sniffaris allow your dog to sniff to their heart's content and they get to lead the way. You can differentiate between regular walks and sniffaris by using different collars, harnesses or leashes. Once your dog gets used to the pattern, they will know what to expect with the walking gear you choose. Sniffaris let dogs be dogs and can actually leave them more tired than a fast paced walk. We make a lot of choices for our dogs, let them choose which direction to walk on your designated sniffaris.
While you're walking, stop and smell the roses and be present with your dog. By letting your dog’s engage in their natural instincts to take in the world around them, you're promoting mental and physical health. On your next walk, let your dog stop and smell the roses, and the trees, and the rocks, and the grasses. And take some time to take in the environment around you, most of us tend to take it for granted.
Sheena Kirkwood is the owner of Felicity’s Pet Supplies in Bellefonte. She is a Certified Pet Food Nutrition Specialist on a mission to empower pet parents with knowledge to extend the lives of their pets. Sheena is creating a place where local cat and dog owners can be confident in their pet supply purchases. A place where she can help educate the community on pet nutrition for healthier, happier pets. For more info visit:
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