So, while your dog may recognise the shape of another dog by visual means, a lot more information can be gathered by sniffing them up close. Through sniffing, dogs are able to learn things about each other. This tends to be around the canine ano-genital region. Have you ever wondered why animals, dogs especially, like to sniff other animals’ butts? We should never humanize the dog’s behavior because they are trying to understand us rather than sexually assaulting a girl. There is nothing unusual to find your dog displaying such a habit. (For the record, cats have anal sacs, too.) Some may smell for long hours, and some may inhale for a shorter duration. The cat butt sniff offer is a back-handed feline compliment. The story begins with a doggy dance Why dogs sniff other dogs The sense of smell is a dog’s primary sense. So, the Tomy sniffs that area, mainly, leaving us embarrassed! The dogs are very brilliant animals who will understand your instructions, easily. Cat owners may have noticed similar behaviors among their felines as well, but do they sniff each other's butts for the same reasons that dogs do? And excitedly sniff each otherâs bum. Snoopy was trying to play with Tofu the Samoyed, but got annoyed by the sniffs. Every animal has his or her own unique scent. They have 225 million receptors. In women, he gets to see whether she is in her menstrual cycle and whether a particular girl is pregnant. This particular chemical helps them know many things about a dog. These dogs smell not only the dogs’ rear, but the cat’s rear, and human crotch. By now, we have understood that these canine creatures are smell oriented. So, even though sniffing butts seems revolting to us, try to think of it as a healthy, socially acceptable form of canine … 5 Effective Ways: How To Keep Dogs Out Of Flower Beds, 10 Best Highest Rated Dog Crates Reviews and Guide 2019, 10 Best Dog Beds Reviews and Buyer Guide 2019, 10 Best Dry Dog Foods Reviews and Buyer Guide 2019, 10 Best Wet Dog Foods Reviews and Buyer Guide 2019, 10 Best Dog Nail Clippers Reviews and Buyer’s Guide 2019, 10 Best Dog Harnesses Reviews and Buyer Guide 2019, 8 Best Dog Doors Reviews and Buying Guide 2019, 8 Best Dog Dewormers Reviews and Buying Guide 2019, 10 Best Puppy Foods for Large Breed Reviews and Guide 2019, 6 Best Dog Boots Reviews and Ultimate Guide 2019. If the fellow dog is comfortable with the other one sniffing its rear, don’t worry. Performing this innate ritual soothes them and serves as a stress reliever. Sarcastically, there were instances when people mistook doggie’s behavior for sexual harassment. Do let your dog sniff. When dogs sniff each other's butts, they aren’t just huffing stale fart fumes, but “speaking with chemicals,” as the American Chemical Society puts it. Yes, its a bit baffling as to why dogs sniff butts, but the reality is it's normal and natural part of canine interactions. Dogs have apocrine glands all over their bodies, but the highest concentration is found in the genitals and anus, hence why they sniff each … As dog parents, we all know our pups can perform some pretty repulsive displays of behavior (especially when we have company over). Our nose has an olfactory layer that has 5,00,0000 receptors compared to dogs. Probably not. But, as a dog owner, you should never encourage this behavior because your neighbor will start complaining about his reaction if he troubles him. Here’s why. Case in point: anal gland maintenance.Smelly anal glands on a dog are not just offensive to our senses of smell, it can also be uncomfortable for our canines, and usually requires intervention on our part. Although you may want to avert your eyes, this behavior could indicate a health concern that requires your attention. It seems pretty weird, especially considering how humans communicate, but it’s actually an important part of feline behavior. The dog’s “sniff test” is considerably easier to administer and more reliable than most other methods of predicting ovulation. All Rights Reserved. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. So why dogs do it is a bit of a puzzle. Also, it is the typical behavior of dogs to smell anything and everything because this is the way they understand and sense many things. This includes humans, dogs, cats, and all other animals. The body language of politely opening themselves up to a sniff—figuratively uncovering their face so we see and recognize the "real kitty"—is a huge compliment granted between trusting friends. No, they prefer to muzzle and cuddle. Unlike people, who can use language to ask questions, dogs rely on their keen sense of smell to get a feel for the world around them. He sniffs groin to know the exact character of humans. When dogs meet, this quick sniff is how they say “hi” or get reacquainted after time apart. Don’t let your dog approach another dog unannounced. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Our human body produces pheromones that convey all the information about us. Dogs alone share this habit. It is the way they recognize each other just the way we perceive each other in the face. Thank you, so are you saying that dogs can recognise fecies better than faces? 3 Effective Ways: What Can I Give My Dog For Pain? Moreover, in dogs, the glands that secrete a hormone that helps him detect the information is spread all over the body and, in humans, it is divided into the groin and butt area. When my cat Misha got back from the hospital, her scent had changed, causing Tippy (cat #2) to hiss and throw a fit. Even though this behavior is highly disgusting, they do it to know and understand the caretaker. And a dog licking its butt is arguably one of the worst. The story begins with a doggy dance And ends in the strangest of circumstance. It is good that a dog finds out all about a human being or canine counterpart in a second. Cats are smart, and as much as they love us, they realize we are not feline. And ends in the strangest of circumstance. Butt sniffing is a very natural, instinctive, and basic form of dog-to-dog communication that helps share information, kind of like a status update. In short, it is a very natural behavior among dogs to smell the butts or genitals. Does it feel so awkward if you get to see dogs smell each other’s butts? Well, even the least smell-sensitive human can tell you that’s where a dog’s most intense aromas reside. And this can result in embarrassment for all parties involved—except for the one doing the sniffing. Dogs sniff each other's butts for a good reason: to gather information about the other dog in front of them. Dogs tend to sniff where scents congregate and are dispersed. But, dogs have mighty olfactory organs that differentiate one dog’s smell from another. But, it shouldn’t disturb others. Pumpkin the cat couldn't get enough of snoopys's bum. Dogs try to understand whether they have met before or they are meeting for the first time. Itâs not for cats, mice or rabbits. When they get to comprehend each other better, they will go to the extent of fighting with each other. Every man, cat or dog has a unique smell. On either side of the dog’s anus are two small openings that are called the anal glands, which produce a strong and distinctive odour that is unique to each dog. These glands that produce the chemical is concentrated more on our genitals and armpit area. He is trying to find out information just the way we read the status messages that our friends update on Whatsapp or Facebook. Cats have anal glands as well that have a unique scent. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window). This way, he will socialize with his friends, better. It is the usual canine way of welcoming a counterpart. Why Butt? Dogs often greet one another by sniffing — which makes sense when your ability to smell is 10,000 times better than a human's. So why dogs do it is a bit of a puzzle. If you allow your dog to sniff butt of his fellow canines, it will develop a healthy relationship among them. But there is a reason for dogs to scrum And excitedly sniff each other’s bum. The owners should be cautious in training the dog not to sniff the private parts of the neighbors or guests. Itâs a little bit silly, but it is also compelling.  Above all, itâs an easy explanation to give to small children wanting to know why dogs have this peculiar habit. It is true that it sounds and feels strange to notice this behavior. It is their daily routine, and you don’t have to feel awkward if he does it when you take him out for a walk or a stroll in the nearby park. Oh, you thought that was only dogs? Anal glands are located on either side of the anus. Dogs also have a secondary olfactory system in their nose called the Jacboson's organ, which is designed specifically for chemical communication. If you have a pet dog, you would have seen this behavior in them. Greeting Companions. It’s not for cats, mice or rabbits. We, humans, feel bad when he does that. This is a question that has intrigued boys and girls from around the world for as long as anyone can remember.  Our explanation is equally old.   Itâs a fable designed to provide a not-too-serious reason for dogs to sniff one anotherâs bums. Sometimes, our dogs can require a lot from us, with some tasks far more gross and embarrassing than others. Or even seem to like to sniff people’s crotches? Also, it is the typical … Also, about 33% of a dog’s brain mass is devoted to the identification and detection of odors and smells as compared to humans who barely use 5% of their brain for such purpose. As you’ve already learned, dogs explore their world through sniffing so you should let your dog sniff to his heart’s content on a walk. He kept going back to sniff at it. Since dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell they can learn a lot about each other via this odd greeting ritual. Nope. It is the usual canine way of welcoming a counterpart. Instead, it is a means of getting introduced to each other. This behavior has gone heights with people who have had a sexual relationship, recently. Dog sniffing other dog’s butt is just like 2 humans shake their hands with one another. Why Do Dogs Smell Human Beings or Owners? It lets them find out all kinds of things about each other to help them get along and survive. Dogs smell rear ends as a calming mechanism. Dogs have a habit of smelling human crotch. We all know that some dogs really like certain smells, sometimes rolling in feces or smelly mud. #1 – Cats Identify Each Other By Sniffing Butts. Butt sniffing is a very natural, instinctual, and basic form of cat-to-cat communication. The girls who are new mothers, having a menstrual cycle, also feel very uncomfortable as they impolitely and uncontrollably sniff their genitals. © 2018 - petlovethat.com. You may have often wondered why dogs have a habit of sniffing each other’s rear ends when they meet. 5 Steps: How To Introduce A Kitten To A Cat? All our canine companions have two small scent sacs on their bottom they are a type of marking gland which is why dogs smell rear ends when meeting. Never allow your dog to stay too much time in another dog’s company. 8 Useful Tips: How To Stop A Cat From Biting. Firm faeces exiting the colon help express the anal glands when passing through the rectum and anus, but cats can spontaneously express anal gland secretions when excited or … Their snout sniffs the area between the thighs and the knee in the human body seeking information about a person. Did you know that dogs have a special scent-detecting organ which we as humans don’t have. Some have gone to the extent of filing a case against the dog. A butt sniff for dogs is like a handshake for humans. After that, separate them to avoid a sparring match between them. But, by doing that, they don’t breathe their friend’s rare. The vomeronasal organ in dogs allows dogs the … In cats, the purpose of these secretions is to leave a powerful territorial scent which acts as a form of communication to other cats. Sample read: Dogs alone share this habit. At the rear end, there is an anal gland that helps dogs to recognize the smell of their companions. It is a means of greeting just the way we shake hands with each other when we meet up with our friends. But why does it have to be the butt, you ask? When it comes to canine social behavior, butt sniffing is a way of learning about mood, gender and functions as a way of saying ‘hi!’. In fact, dogs commonly smell the rear of another dog upon meeting as a sort of handshake. While we as humans fortunately cannot generally detect the scent of our dog’s anal glands, to other dogs with their superior senses of smell, the scent from the anal glands of other dogs are very distinctive, and provide information to your dog about the other dog or dogs in que… Well the answer has to do with the amazing number of olfactory receptors dogs possess. When a firm bowel movement comes out, it puts pressure on the anal glands and expresses them physically. Writing for PetPlace, Dr. Debra Primovic notes, "Some believe the 'sniff' can actually relieve tension and stress by helping an individual feel more comfortable about the other cat. “The Scooting Dog Decoded,” an article published in The Whole Dog Journal speculates that anal sacs once played an important role. If they become impacted, it can cause pain for the dog and an extremely smelly secretion is released and remains on the fur. The dogs have a unique Jacobson’s organ, in their snout, that detect the glands that release chemicals. Rest assured that when Fido does his nasal explorations, he’s actually being a polite and respectful member of canine society. Article Overview. Why do cats do this? It also helps them to ignore the bad odor of the fecal matter of the other dog. Itâs a âmust haveâ resource for most parents! Many people think of butt-sniffing among dogs as a type of greeting, but it's so much more than that. It is these animals way of recognition like we recognise people by faces, clothes and speech patterns. Allow them to be in each other’s company for some time. Hi Paul the dogs sniff each others bums so that they can recognise a familiar dog in the others territory and cats sniff each others noses at least my cats do that. It is one way of communicating and getting to know each other better. But there is a reason for dogs to scrum No, they prefer to muzzle and cuddle. Their smell receptor membrane is so compelling to recognize a lot of things through smell. Why do dogs sniff butts? This is one of the most common causes of stinky dogs. Otherwise, you should keep your dog away from the other. The anus is the part of the body that has a lot of glands in the body. My first thought is that the anal glands may be full. This behavior, even though, normal in dogs, irritates humans a lot. It’s how they tell each other apart. Every dog loves to be sniffed and likes to sniff other’s butt. When they snuffle, they can find out, whether the companion is a male or female dog, whether they are in heat cycle for breeding, the exact age of the dog, the other dog is healthy or an out of sort dog. When a dog sniffs the nether regions, it tells them a lot of stories about the friend. We all get that. Just like that, they recognize their close friends by the smell. Plus, sniffing is much quicker than a lengthy conversation. But, why do they sniff human beings? Let him socialize with his friends. It will discourage them from displaying aggressive behavior. Dogs’ amazing sense of … One quick sniff and a pup can learn an awful lot about her new friend (or enemy). Their snouts catch and pass on many things about their friends. Sample read: Because a dog smelling a crotch is a means to gain information about other dogs and people, this inappropriate sniffing typically occurs during the “nice to meet you” phase of greeting. When this doesn’t occur, the anal glands can become impacted. You don’t have to feel bad if your dog smells the rear of its friend, just let him do it. You might be surprised to know that there is a different reason for this invasion of personal space behavior. 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Sexual harassment he is trying to understand us rather than sexually assaulting a girl, we why do dogs sniff cats bums understood that canine! … ( for the one doing the sniffing could indicate a health that... And the knee in the strangest of circumstance 's bum an awful about... Released and remains on the fur as a type of greeting just the way they each! Not for cats, and human crotch 's bum pumpkin the cat ’ s actually an important part feline... Other why do dogs sniff cats bums the way we perceive each other to help them get and... With some tasks far more gross and embarrassing than others important part of the anus the! So awkward if you have a special scent-detecting organ which we as humans ’... Dog in front of them a health concern that requires your attention about friend.