Three Benefits of Sniffing for Dogs

1. Increased mental stimulation

Dogs have hundreds of millions of scent receptors in their brains compared to our 6 million. Therefore, smelling is incredibly important for their mental stimulation, even more so than physical exercise at times. With one-eighth of a dog's brain dedicated to olfaction, sniffing is a great mental workout for dogs. Studies show that sniffing for 20 minutes is equivalent to one hour of physical exercise in terms of enrichment for dogs. This mental stimulation is a great way to calm down dogs who may be more hyper.

2. Alleviates stress in dogs

Studies have shown that when dogs sniff, their heart rate decreases, and it continues to lower the longer they sniff. Furthermore, scenting activates a portion of the brain called the Seeking System, which is responsible for releasing dopamine. Therefore, sniffing is an excellent way to release dopamine in dogs, calming them down and making them happier. These studies have proven that scenting is a highly effective way to calm anxious or nervous dogs, as well as to tire out hyperactive breed.

3. Sniffing is how dogs see the world

A dog's sense of smell is more than 100,000 times more sensitive than a human's, and therefore, scent is how dogs "see" the world around them. From sniffing bushes to fire hydrants, and even another dog's behind, this is how dogs communicate with the world and become comfortable with their surroundings. Especially at a pet care facility, having the opportunity to sniff and get a good sense of their environment helps dogs become more comfortable.

Pet Companions Can Help!

Scent Room: Pet Companions has a specialty scent room that provides the olfactory stimulation your dog needs! Our scent room is filled with exploratory smelling activities and can be added to any stay your dog has with us. Available for $25 in addition to your purchase.

Nature Walks: We also offer Nature Walks for your dogs. These are one-on-one walks through our nature trail in Reading, where your dog can sniff around and engage its mind. Available for $20 in addition to your purchase.