Why Dogs Eat Grass and 8 Other Strange Dog Behaviors Explained

In this video, we will talk about 8 strange things dogs do and explain the meaning behind them Why dogs eat grass Like with many other animal behaviors that seem strange to people, there are plenty of myths and rumors about why dogs eat grass. You may have heard that a dog who eats grass has an upset stomach and wants to induce vomiting, or that eating grass is a sign of a nutritional deficiency. Believe it or not, research suggests that these are both myths. Dogs on well-balanced diets and in good condition regularly eat grass, and many dogs can be observed to frequently eat grass and not vomit. A study conducted in the University of New England found that dogs see grass as a food source and are more likely to eat grass if they are hungry - like before eating their regular meal. This study also rejected the theory that dogs eat grass to induce vomiting. The researchers concluded that grass eating is an innate and normal behavior, as all dogs in this study were in good health and well-balanced diet. Why dogs love shoes Most dogs love to chew on their owners’ shoes because of the smell. Dogs loves your scent and your smelly feet make shoes irresistible. And keep in mind that many shoes are made of leather and can retain the original scent of the animal they came from, which can be a very appealing smell to a dog. In fact, some leather shoes may smell like food to dogs. Dogs also love shoes because they make an excellent toy. Shoes are the perfect size and texture. Why dogs don t like their paws touched Most dogs don’t like their paws touched because they are extremely sensitive. While a dog’s leathery paw pads are designed to withstand changing terrain and temperatures, the tops of dogs’ paws are among the most sensitive parts of their anatomy. The spaces between a dog’s toes are even more sensitive than the tops Paw sensitivity is also thought to be caused by a dog’s instinctive desire to protect their crucial body parts from harm. In some cases, a dog may not want you to touch their paws because of a negative association. Like if they have had a bad nail trimming experience. Why dogs get the zoomies Dogs engage in the zoomies when they have some form of excess energy that they just can’t contain - like when they ve been confined in a crate for some time. This is a dog’s way to get rid of that pent-up energy. But remember, dogs also get zoomies when they have some form of nervous energy, like when they have tolerated an uncomfortable situation. Why dogs wake up so easily Dog s sleep patterns and needs are very different from humans. Dogs sleep more than we do, but they spend less time in deep sleep, meaning that they wake up more easily, and are ready to deal with any potential threat. In fact, dogs tend to experience sleep-wake cycles of 16 minutes asleep and 5 minutes awake, which is quite a contrast to humans, who have a typical sleep-wake cycle of 8 hours asleep and 16 hours awake. Why dogs stick their heads out of car windows Most vets and researchers agree that dogs get a natural “high” from all the smells that they can perceive in a car. A dog’s ability to process smells is between 10,000 to 100,000 times greater than humans. Just think about how many smells are in the air in a ten-second time frame from a moving car vs. standing still. Dogs are known for their ability to air-scent and moving air carries a lot of interesting smells. But remember, allowing a dog’s head to be exposed on the road can be dangerous. Branches, rocks or other debris could collide with the animal’s head. The wind also carries dust and foreign objects that could harm your dog’s eyes. Ear damage is another concern. Why dogs shake themselves More often than not, dogs shake to get rid of dirt, bugs and debris on their coats. It’s a dog’s way to keep their coat clean. Dogs also shake to put their fur back in place after a long session of brushing, playing, or petting. Interestingly enough, shaking-off can also be a sign of stress release. And if you see your dog shaking themselves after a nap, it’s because they are trying to rid of the grogginess of sleep. On the other hand, if your dog shakes frequently for no reason, check for rash, redness, or parasites such as fleas. Why dogs scratch their ears While an occasional itch is a common occurrence for dogs, frequent ear scratching indicates your pooch may be experiencing ear infection. Dog breeds with long, floppy ears are more likely to develop ear infections because the dark, warm, moist environment within the ears is a perfect environment for yeast and bacteria. Ear infections or scratching their bodies can also be caused by food or environmental allergies. Food allergens that are seen the most in dogs are dairy products, wheat, and beef. And keep in mind that grains contain natural sugars upon which yeasts can feed and multiply. Other common causes of ear itching in dogs are parasites, mites, pollen, and foreign objects.