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Pet Talk by Dr. Norette Underwood: The Amazing Nose - Why Your Dog’s Sense of Smell Is Superhuman

If you have ever wondered why your dog stops every few feet on a walk to sniff the grass, mailbox, or even the air itself, the answer is simple: your dog experiences the world through smell in ways humans cannot even imagine.

While people rely heavily on vision, dogs rely primarily on their noses. A dog’s sense of smell is one of the most powerful tools in the animal kingdom and is estimated to be anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than a human’s sense of smell. What seems like an ordinary scent to us may tell a dog an entire story.

Why Is a Dog’s Nose So Powerful?
To a dog, a simple walk through the yard may reveal:
• Which animals passed through overnight
• Whether another dog nearby is male or female
• If a person is stressed, sick, or afraid
• What food was recently cooked nearby
• Changes in weather patterns

Dogs Can Smell What Humans Cannot
A dog’s nose is so sensitive that specially trained dogs are now used across the world to detect things humans and machines sometimes miss.

Dogs have been trained to detect:
• Low blood sugar in diabetics
• Certain cancers
• Seizure activity before it occurs
• COVID-19 infections
• Changes in blood pressure and hormones

Researchers believe dogs can smell subtle chemical changes produced by disease processes in the body.

Why Dogs Love to Sniff Everything
Many owners try to rush their dog during walks, but sniffing is actually extremely important mental stimulation. Smelling helps dogs:
• Reduce stress
• Gather information
• Exercise their brains
• Improve confidence
• Satisfy natural instincts

Because dogs rely so heavily on smell, keeping their noses healthy is important. Contact your veterinarian if you notice:

• Persistent nasal discharge
• Nosebleeds
• Swelling around the nose
• Excessive sneezing
• Loss of appetite or interest in food
• Sudden decrease in ability to smell

Strong household chemicals, smoke, and certain scented products may also irritate sensitive noses.

The Nose Knows

Your dog’s nose is not just impressive, it is extraordinary. From detecting illness to helping save lives, dogs continue to amaze scientists and veterinarians with their incredible scenting abilities.

So the next time your dog pauses to investigate a scent on a walk, remember: they are experiencing an entire hidden world that humans simply cannot smell.

If you have questions about your pet’s health, behavior, or wellness needs, contact Trumann Animal Clinic at 870-483-6275 to schedule an appointment or contact Dr. Underwood At [email protected]