They say that dog is man’s best friend. But how well do you know this friend? If you are curious to know more about canines, consider the top ten most Googled questions -- and answers -- about dogs.
Top 10 Dog Questions Answered
Why do dogs eat grass? In some cases, eating grass helps to relieve indigestion in dogs or it can simply be a sign that he is hungry. If your dog’s food does not provide essential nutrients, he could start eating grass.
Do dogs dream when they sleep? Like humans, dogs have two sleep cycles – rapid eye movement (REM) and slow wave sleep (SWS). During the REM cycle, your dog dreams – signs of dreaming include twitching, growling, whining, and heavy breathing.
Why do dogs chase their tails? Dogs chase their tails for a number of reasons – sometimes it is out of boredom and sometimes it is just for fun. In some cases, it may be the result of impacted anal glands, fleas, or another medical condition that should be assessed by a veterinarian.
Why is a dog’s nose always wet? Inside a dog’s nostrils are glands that secrete a mucus that helps to collect scents. When a dog licks his nose, he moves the scent into the olfactory gland located along the roof of his mouth. Dogs may also lick their noses to help keep cool, because they only sweat through their noses and the pads of their feet.
How do you clean a dog’s ears? Certain breeds of dog are more prone to ear infections than others, based on the size and shape of their ears. Ears that hang down tend to trap moisture, which can encourage the growth of bacteria. To clean your dog’s ears, you should use a few drops of dog ear cleaning solution, then massage your dog’s ear to distribute it. Finally, wipe your dog’s ear with a clean cotton ball.
Why do dogs have whiskers? Your dog’s whiskers play an important role in helping him navigate the world, and also protect his eyes from debris and dirt. A dog can feel vibrations through his whiskers that help him to determine the size of prey – it also helps him to “see” in the dark.
How do you stop a dog from digging? Digging is a natural behavior for dogs. Sometimes they do it to bury toys, to make a cool place for them to lie down, or to escape. The key to curbing your dog’s digging behavior lies in discovering his motivation. If he does it because he is bored, you may need to give him more exercise or play with him more.
Why do dogs howl? Like wolves, dogs howl as a means of communication. When your dog hears another dog howling, he will return the call.
Why do dogs sniff each other’s butts? Dogs have scent glands on either side of their anus that tell other dogs some important information, such as the dog’s sex, diet, and health. Dogs also possess a unique organ called the Jacobson’s organ in their noses which enables them to process odors without being overwhelmed by them.
Why do dogs roll in smelly things? Dogs love to roll in smelly things like garbage and manure. In the wild, wolves sometimes roll in smelly things to disguise their scent from prey, so this behavior may have some evolutionary background in dogs.
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