9 Scents Your Dog Will Not Resist (Some May Surprise You)

You are probably familiar with the basics of the procedure. Take your dog for a walk. He stops at every lamppost and bush on the way. Sure, it’s annoying. It’s annoying, but he is following his nose literally! There are many other scents that can attract your dog’s attention, besides the obvious ones. Some may even surprise you.

Dogs have a remarkable sense of smell. Research has shown that dogs can detect differences in identical twins. It is becoming more and more evident that canines are able to detect certain cancers in humans. Your pooch would prefer to eat meats other than chicken and steak if he had his way.

Nature-equipped dogs for detecting different smells. While humans have five million scent receptors, dogs have 60 times the number of Bloodhounds’ 300 million. Let’s take a look at some of the incredible things dogs are able to detect and gravitate towards on their daily walks around the neighborhood.

9 Dogs Love These Smells

1. Vanilla

Because of their scent, some scents can be pleasant for dogs. Vanilla may be a surprise to your dog. The journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science published a study that found vanilla had calming effects on rescue dogs of all breeds. The pups were less stressed and barked less.

2. Coconut

Similar results were found with coconut. Dogs also slept better, which is a great way to deal with stress. Interesting thing is that the same health benefits were seen in humans from the smell and consumption of the tropical tree. Your pet and you are on the same page. Coconut tastes great, it’s no surprise.

3. Lavender

This is something to keep in mind as you train your puppy. A study in Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that lavender-scented toys were more popular with dogs. This is a useful fact to have in mind when teaching your pet to play with the chewie, and not with the furniture.

4. Things that are Dead

It is important to realize that scents are in the nose of detectors. Sometimes, what repels us can be a magnet for the dog sniffer. Rotten stuff. Your dog will likely roll in the rotting stuff, even though you might run. It’s not clear why. It could be used by your pet to mark him or hide his scent from predators. It stinks, that’s all we know.

5. Rabbits

Your dog’s most keen sense is smell or olfaction. When he is unable to see his prey, it takes over. It will still be a scent for him. Your pooch will also love the scent of his quarry. Your dog will know if there are rabbits in the area before you. It’s up to your pup to hunt them down.

6. Each Other

When it comes to meeting your canine companions, the dog’s keen sense of smell is invaluable. He not only finds out about the neighbors but also has a complete dossier. A quick glance will reveal their age, health, and other details. It is an evolutionary advantage. The ability to see the terrain gives the shopper an advantage in assessing potential threats or opportunities.

7. Ginger

Ginger can calm people. Ginger can help with a shaky stomach. This is something we all love. Similar health benefits can be found for dogs. The aroma of the root can help ease stress and calm your pet in stressful situations. Anything that can help canine companions deal with stress is the cat’s best friend.

8. You!

This surprise may not be as surprising if it weren’t for a change in brain activity in dogs. Researchers discovered that dogs who smell familiar humans have a higher response to the caudate nucleus. This is the part associated with positive experiences. It makes sense since you are the one who feeds and treats him.

9. Cheese

Cheese, regardless of its type, can be an exciting and intoxicating smell for your dog. They might be attracted by the scent of fat, protein, or any fungi.

Last Thoughts

Dogs have evolved to be more able to sense smells than their common sense. It is a natural progression that dogs would have a preference or aversion to certain scents. It is interesting to see how many of them have common ground. All the animals on the planet are related if we look back enough. Canines and humans can share many things.