Why do dogs sniff each other's tails? Why does a dog smell like a dog: the main reasons and ways to eliminate them Video about why dogs sniff each other’s tails

You've probably noticed that dogs, when they meet each other, immediately try to sniff each other's tails? What it is? A tribute to nature, a sign of fidelity or a simple animal perversion? We will explain to you why dogs sniff each other.

In fact, there is nothing unusual here, as it might initially seem. It’s just that in dogs, near the base of the tail, there is a special gland that produces a special odor (secretion). A person is not able to recognize it, since our ability to determine the spectrum of odors is very poor, but for dogs this is not difficult. It is the smell from this gland that is the dog’s identification “card,” much like our fingerprints.

And when the dogs meet, they sniff each other and determine who they are dealing with by the smell of secretion. The dog remembers this smell and puts it in its “card file.” After all, the smells of dogs are always different and the next time they meet, the dogs will already remember that they met before.

Tail movement is also associated with this gland. Having met a familiar person or even its own owner, the dog reflexively begins to wave its tail, spreading the smell from the gland around itself. To some extent, this is done unconsciously - the dog thinks that if it spreads its own scent near itself, then the person will immediately recognize it and be affectionate with it, maybe even scratch it behind the ear :)

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A dog is a pet that has become an assistant, protector, companion and true friend for a person. They have adopted a lot from man, adapted as much as possible to his rhythm of life and never cease to amaze with their abilities. However, the life experience of dogs is passed on from generation to generation, dating back to the times when they were wild and lived in packs. This is reflected in their behavior, character, and dogs still perform some of the most ancient rituals today. For example, many people are interested in the question of why dogs sniff each other, and in rather delicate places? The answer is simple - this is how they get maximum information about their relatives.

To many, a dog’s increased interest in a fellow dog’s “butt” may seem something abnormal and perverted. Inexperienced owners begin to delay and drive away a dog who has shown favor to their pet, considering this action to be a blatant tactlessness.

One of the dog owners, not understanding the essence of this action, decided to conduct a practical study. He got down on all fours and sniffed his dog... So what? The man was in for complete disappointment, as he failed to catch anything specific. And it’s all about the human sense of smell, it is significantly inferior to a dog’s.

Animals have special secretory glands that produce a specific liquid that has a specific odor. Moreover, it is akin to our fingerprint - each individual has its own scent. And nature decreed that in dogs these glands are located on the rim of the anus.

By actively waving its tail, the dog spreads its scent over a large area. Of course, such activity does not work with a person, but for other dogs it says a lot.

What does the smell from under the tail mean?

In healthy dogs, the smell of secretion is elusive to the human nose or is felt very, very weakly. But for his fellow humans he has a lot of useful information. What can this “personal” scent “tell” about?

1. Age. The secretory fluid of puppies and dogs that have reached puberty does not have an individual odor. In this way, nature made sure that the animals remained invisible and their survival rate was higher.
2. Physical ability and power. The composition of the secretion of small animals and large animals is different and, accordingly, has a different aroma.
3. Health status. The smell from under the tail of a sick dog becomes abnormal and signals that this individual is weak. In the wild, she would have faced inevitable death from the claws and paws of stronger and healthier individuals. What can you do, natural selection.

Nature gave abilities, and man found application

There is a theory that a dog's memory stores all the "individual dog scents" its nose has ever smelled. It is impossible to find an exact confirmation or refutation of this hypothesis, however, situations are not uncommon when a pet, meeting a “childhood friend,” begins to communicate with him as with an old friend.

The habit of animals, when they meet, to bury themselves under the tail of their fellow animals prompted people to use it for diagnostic purposes. Dogs quite often make it clear to the owners of their companion that their pet is unwell. Laboratory studies were carried out that confirmed the effectiveness of this innovative diagnostic method.

In 2004, the results of a study appeared in the pages of the British Medical Journal proving that in cancer, the human body produces odorous substances, and the sensitive sense of smell of dogs allows them to sense it. These data created a sensation in medical circles and immediately gained recognition at the global level.

What's in your scent?

Now it becomes clear why, when meeting a pet, he sniffs out the anus of other dogs with interest. But owners may be alarmed by the fact that the animal treats its own area under the tail with no less attention. Should I be worried if the dog often pokes into this area and sniffs for something there for a long time?

Experts are in a hurry to reassure you that there is no need to worry about this. By sniffing and licking under the tail, the dog performs a basic hygiene procedure. In addition, this secretory fluid must be constantly “refreshed” - licked off so that a new secretion appears.

Of course, it is difficult for a person to understand all these physiological subtleties and it may even be unpleasant to watch the event itself, but he will have to come to terms with or say goodbye to the idea of ​​​​owning a dog.

When smell signals problems in the body

Since the secretion is an indicator of health, it can provide signals about ongoing pathological changes. If an unpleasant odor begins to emanate from the dog, and she sniffs and licks under her tail more often than usual, then there is reason for concern.

Such phenomena may indicate one of two problems:

• the dog became infected with worms– the pet should be given an anthelmintic;
• metabolic disorder- in this case, the smell may be completely absent, but the consistency of the liquid changes - it thins out or, conversely, thickens.

Another nuance is that dogs often experience blockage of the paraanal glands, in which case professional help is required. If you do nothing, the gland becomes inflamed, causing itching and pain. Due to uncomfortable sensations, the animal begins to itch the “causal” area on the floor and ground, the delicate skin of the anus is injured, and infection penetrates into the wounds.

To avoid complications, you should consult a veterinarian who cleans the anal glands. If this is not done, an advanced form of the disease may require surgical intervention to remove them.

Features of “dog” relationships

If you observe dog meetings, you will notice that they act according to a certain algorithm:

• first - nose to nose;
• then – they touch sides;
• and finally, interest in the anal area.

This rule is ironclad, and animals of all ages and genders adhere to it. Only one thing can unsettle a dog - sexual desire and the aggression caused by it. If, having met a female in heat, the male does not feel competition, the traditional meeting ritual does not change.

But if other males interfere in the situation, then the dog will not “shuffle around” and will immediately proceed to the third point, omitting the first two, in order to be the first to fish out the necessary information “from under the tail” - whether the bitch is ready for mating.

But at this time he finds himself in a dangerous situation - competitors are not asleep and can attack, also without a greeting. And the “bride” herself can be very categorical. In the world of adult animals, impudent sniffing under the tail can end in a slap in the face. For example, among wolves, only leaders and alpha females have the privilege of sniffing anyone. Similar behavior of puppies and young animals is strictly punished, and punishment awaits them both from the she-wolf, the leader, and from others.

Video about why dogs sniff each other's tails

How to help your pet adhere to the hierarchy

It will be easier for an unintelligent puppy to master hierarchical subtleties if the owner understands them and helps the pet:

• It is better not to allow your pet to brazenly interfere with older dogs;
• when meeting other animals, you should hold the puppy or pull him back if he begins to behave too persistently;
• if, nevertheless, the dog received a beating from his brothers, it is better for the owner not to interfere - in this way the pet will absolutely learn the lesson; of course, provided that we are talking about dogs of approximately the same size.

It’s not for nothing that a dog is called man’s best friend, because its devotion, loyalty and desire to please its owner are impressive. But a person should not be indifferent. The more the owner knows about his pet, the better he understands him and the less often he makes mistakes.

Why do dogs sniff each other's tails? For us humans, this action is incomprehensible. After all, we communicate using words and gestures. And this is for dogs.

Smell as the main way of communication

The whole secret is a very good sense of smell. The dog senses odors not through the nose, but through a special septal-olfactory organ. We humans remember our acquaintances, friends, and colleagues using visual memory and hearing.

Next to the tail of dogs there is a special gland that emits a peculiar odor (called secretion). For humans, such a “aroma” is almost imperceptible. For animals, it is unique and can only be present in one individual. It's like human fingerprints or retinas. Dogs can determine gender, age, and even emotional state by the smell under their tail. You've probably noticed that when you meet previously unfamiliar dogs, they sniff each other longer than dogs they already know. They add the smell to their “database” and next time a couple of seconds will be enough to recognize their new friend. The same thing happens when meeting new people. But only the smell of the dog is drawn in from the armpits. And when they meet people they already know, they quickly sniff only their hands, feet and clothes. And every time they receive new information.

When a dog wags its tail, its owner believes it is an expression of joy. True, but this is not the dog's most important task when wagging its tail. This action helps spread the odor released by the anal glands. Dogs may wag their tail when they want to get attention, such as to play. Also, when it sees a person, wagging its tail means that the dog is friendly. For dogs, the scent released when their tail wags plays a very important role. Dominant dogs raise their tails as high as possible to signal their approach to others. But dogs that are not important to others or are scared, on the contrary, press their tail to themselves in order to remain unnoticed.

Ways dogs communicate with each other and with people

When answering one question, another immediately arises. Do dogs understand each other? If so, how?

One of the ways of friendly communication between animals is licking. Why do dogs or other animals lick each other? Licking among our four-legged friends is a manifestation of tender, friendly feelings and affection. It is natural for dogs to lick each other. From the very first day the puppy is born. In this way she takes care of her child and calms him down. As the dog grows up, he may show similar actions to his close friends whom he trusts. Also, touching with the muzzle: tongue, nose can be signs of attention and friendliness. When licking the muzzle of another individual, the dog not only says hello, but also determines by smell where it has been. While walking, your pet may exchange several of these “kisses” with another dog to make sure that it is his friend. A small young dog may lick a more experienced male to appease him. The dog shows the same signs and habits towards its owner.

Often, dogs want to lick a person's face or “kiss” their nose. This action signifies an expression of great affection and love. You can't react to this aggressively. The dog will not understand why you have such a reaction and will perceive its owner as a person with whom it is difficult to contact. The desire to touch the owner’s lips is also associated with the behavior of wolves in their natural environment. When the puppies are small, the mother dog regurgitates food for her young. In order to get food, puppies reach for their mother's mouth. This instinct has been preserved in dogs. That is why you should not scold your pet if he is constantly trying to reach your mouth. Sometimes, after you scold your pet, the dog reaches for your mouth. With this gesture, she invites you to be friends again. The same action on the part of the dog occurs when its owner comes home from work or school. Welcome jumps, tail wagging, joyful whining and mouth open with joy are an expression of pleasure. It is important to always respond to your dog with kindness. Even if you are very busy, spend a few seconds with your pet, so he will not feel unwanted.

Dogs use licking to communicate with their friends. Do unfamiliar dogs understand each other? Certainly! They know how to “talk.” This communication system consists of signs and smells. For example, a raised, wagging tail on a dog means happiness and trust, a “pipe” tail means anxiety, a tucked tail means fear, and many others.

Thus, if someone asks you why unfamiliar dogs sniff each other’s tails in the first place, you can safely answer that this is their usual way of greeting, because dogs are very smart.

The choice of the breed of a new pet is dictated by many factors: size, habits, skills, attitude towards children, and others. However, not many owners take into account in advance the fact that some breeds have a specific smell. The owner will know that the dog smells like a dog after the fact. Further, throughout their life together, the owner looks for ways to get rid of the smell and, unfortunately, often only makes it worse.

Let's begin with All dogs smell like dog, the decisive factor is This aroma intensity. People who have kept four-legged dogs for years simply get used to the smell and do not feel it, but those who have never owned dogs clearly feel the aroma. Another unexpected fact - Most small dogs smell stronger than large ones due to improper care. It is customary (for unknown reasons) to bathe babies more often, treat them to forbidden treats, etc. In theory, the smaller the dog, the weaker its scent.

Remember! Healthy puppies, up to 4 months old, do not have a specific odor.

You should be wary if your dog smells strongly of dog, but this has never happened before.. A strong odor may be a symptom of illness or a sign of improper feeding. The odor can also appear in so-called odorless breeds and cannot be eliminated by washing.

It is known that dogs practically do not sweat, so the smell of a dog should not be compared with the smell of sweat. Each animal has a set of scent glands that work as intended. In the animal world, individual odors are very important; they serve as a tool of communication and protection. The main sources of odor (not just dogs) are:

• Skin glands that secrete lubricant for the fur. The number and sensitivity of the glands determines whether the breed will be classified as smelly or non-smelling. Most dogs bred to work on water or in harsh climates have larger fat glands. The skin of dogs with very short hair is also protected only by oil, which is why most short-haired dogs have a strong odor. In four-legged animals without undercoat, fur lubricant is secreted more intensely, so their wet fur smells strongly.

• Sweat glands located between the fingers– Dogs’ sweat smells very differently. Some owners complain that their pet's paws smell like dirty socks, while others complain that the aroma is reminiscent of baked goods or popcorn. The reason for this range is that the smell of sweat is the smell of an individual footprint, and here everything is the same as in humans, because bipeds also smell differently. To eliminate paw odor, just wipe them after a walk. By the way, in winter and summer the smell from paws becomes stronger.

Note! Almost all healthy dogs do not have a strong odor if properly cared for, with the exception of four-legged dogs, for which this odor is a breed characteristic.

A dog's body is covered with thousands of hairs, each of which is associated with a hair follicle. Each follicle works in symbiosis with nerve endings and sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands have no effect on cooling or warming the dog, but through them the animal's body removes toxins. This property is especially noticeable if the dog is sick or undergoing aggressive treatment. Be that as it may, if a puppy smells like a dog or an adult dog that does not smell suddenly begins to emit an unpleasant aroma, this is a reason to take it in and check whether the animal’s condition corresponds to the norm. If blood tests indicate obvious abnormalities, it is better to consult a doctor before deciding what to do.

Note! With the help of the sebaceous glands, the dog secretes a special secretion containing pheromones that attract animals of the opposite sex. In dogs, this feature is practically not manifested.

In anticipation of, during and after the end, a very bright, unpleasant odor may emanate from the dog. This problem is partially solved by washing, since dried blood emits a rotting smell until it completely decomposes.

Read also: Where is the withers in dogs, its features and purpose

The foul odor may not come from the fur or skin at all, which is often missed by inexperienced owners. If you notice that your pet has a scent, smell it separately:

• Ears can emit a strong odor for a number of reasons. Dirt, plaque and earwax - this mixture has a very unpleasant odor. This problem is fixed regularly. You can smell the beginning of otitis media, in which case a sweetish aroma is felt. In case of improper nutrition, especially if the dog eats smoked meats and sweets, the smell from the ears becomes simply unbearable.

• Eyelids– mild inflammation or incipient inflammation can also cause a very unpleasant odor that seems to emanate from the dog’s skin. To check your suspicion, you need to rinse your pet’s eye with strong tea or clean warm water; if the smell becomes less noticeable, you need to treat the eyes.

• Mouth– an unpleasant odor may appear due to the appearance, decay of teeth, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract or metabolism.

Believe me, if the smell comes from the above places, you will immediately understand it. Dog smell is especially often confused with ear smell. By the way, in dogs with drooping ears, owners have been struggling with dog odor for years instead of changing the type of food and eliminating all the problems at once.

Note! Furry dogs can smell like urine or feces, as the four-legged dog may soil its fur while relieving itself. The problem can be solved by examination and hygienic haircut for dogs.

Unpleasant odor from the skin, ears and paws may occur due to improper nutrition.. We are not talking about a violation of the basic rules of diet composition, but rather about unsuitable food or food composition. Each dog is individual, the animal may be lactose intolerant, cannot digest seafood or chicken meat. The owner buys expensive good food without knowing the characteristics of his pet, and gets the opposite effect. You can check your guesses experimentally - by changing the food or eliminating suspicious (from your point of view) products.

The smell of a completely healthy dog ​​can increase dramatically for a number of reasons:

• Getting the wool wet– the smell intensifies, during drying, the smell spreads with evaporation. Usually, after complete drying, the smell becomes the same or gets in the way.

• Seasonal– the undercoat, which the dog has been wearing all season, is generously saturated with sebum. When the undercoat begins to shed, the smell intensifies.

• Dirty wool– Frequent bathing is not recommended for most dog breeds, but if the pet is not washed at all, the concentration of sebum increases, which increases the odor. From a physiological point of view, there is nothing wrong with this, the only problem is with the comfort of the owner.

• Hormonal surges– during puberty, estrus and heat, dogs smell stronger, this is explained by a natural disruption of metabolic processes. It has been noticed that for hormonal reasons, males smell much stronger.

Read also: Breed standards and sizes of husky from puppy to adult dog

An unpleasant odor from a dog may not have a physiological basis. Some quadrupeds tend to to fall out in stench, such as rotten meat or carrion. In this case, the owner will have to wash the dog and start looking for the root causes of the incorrect behavior. Veterinarians do not recommend using scented shampoos, as extraneous aroma can only increase the desire to wallow in stench.

All of the above reasons can be called normal, that is, predictable. In such cases, the owner can only do one thing - observe the rules of hygiene as much as possible. There are also more serious reasons, we will look into them below.

Poor nutrition as a cause of unpleasant odor

An increase in or appearance of dog odor is one of the first signs of metabolic disorders due to poor nutrition. According to the experience of owners, the global nature of the problem greatly depends on the breed and method of keeping the dog.

Some pets barely smell, while others stink so much that it's hard to be in the same room with them. Not realizing the consequences, some owners treat their pets with baked goods, sweets or smoked meats. Such delicacies almost instantly affect metabolic processes in the body, and they affect the activity of the sebaceous and sweat glands. In the best case scenario, the dog's body will begin to produce more lubricant, which will lead to a slight increase in odor.

Dry food, especially a cheap brand– This is the second cause of foul odor due to poor nutrition. By the way, owners note that pets kept on industrial natural food smell differently. The smell that appears from dry food always has an admixture of unnatural aroma. This may be due to flavor enhancers or dyes contained in cheap dry food.

Any foods that promote fermentation enhance the natural odor to a quite noticeable and sharp one. A stench may indicate incomplete digestion of food, which often occurs if the dog's diet contains a lot of grains or bread.

Note! Raw cabbage, boiled potatoes, pasta and the basis of any cheap food - beans - are the best environment for fermentation and rotting.

Another product that may cause or increase dog odor is this is a fish, or rather, an excessive amount of it. You shouldn’t exclude fish from your natural diet; it is a source of minerals and fatty acids, but it shouldn’t replace meat either.

The problem with all of the above reasons is that even perfect an adjusted diet will not give immediate results, that is, the dog will smell for some time. In older dogs, the smell may not go away at all, but becoming a little less pronounced is already a good result. Without consulting a specialist, an inexperienced owner can experiment for years and not achieve success. The optimal method is feeding natural food according to a standard scheme with gradual correction or switching the dog to neutral, high-quality, industrial food.

Dog smell as a symptom

As a symptom, you should perceive a persistent smell that hits the nose sharply and appears suddenly. It is worth understanding that an increase in skin odor indicates that you have missed the development of the disease and certain changes have already occurred in the body.

You've probably noticed that when dogs meet, they sniff each other's tails. If this is your first acquaintance, “aromatherapy” can drag on for a long time. The four-legged animals we have known for a long time adhere to this tradition, but devote less time to it. What is the reason for this unusual behavior for humans?

Probably every dog ​​owner has wondered at least once whether the pet is not guided by some perverted motives, sniffing under the tail of a relative? Having found no logical explanations, most dog breeders decide that this is a “tribute to nature” and the issue becomes irrelevant. If you are overcome by curiosity and want to know the true reasons for the behavior of your ward, you are at the right place.

On one of the dog breeders' forums, an outrageous situation is described, which the owner made public in good health and mind. The man did not understand the pet so much that he decided to try to behave similarly towards his dog. Simply put, the owner was so interested that he decided to get on all fours and sniff his ward’s tail. It is not known what exactly the curious owner expected, but the results disappointed him. The man did not smell anything specific and decided to pour out his soul to those who would understand him - fellow dog breeders.

The man did not find anything specific for a simple reason: the human sense of smell is not able to detect the smell that interests dogs. Regardless of gender, along the rim of the dog’s anus there are glands that secrete a special secretion. When the dog is healthy, the smell of these secretions is barely perceptible or not felt at all by humans. The man simply could not discover the actual answer to his question due to his own physiology.

For dogs, the smell released with secretion is very distinct and informative. Regardless of the gender and intentions of both dogs, tail sniffing provides the following information:

• Age– puppies and mature dogs do not have an individual smell; this is a matter of safety and survival.

• Physical strength and strength– the composition of the secretion of small dogs and large four-legged animals is very different, that is, it has a different smell.

• Health status– an abnormal smell indicates illness, and if our dogs were wild, the weak and sick would be attacked by stronger and healthier individuals (even of the same species).

Read also: How is blood type determined in dogs?

This is interesting! It is believed that a dog remembers absolutely all the smells under its tail that it has already smelled. Perhaps this is true, since animals often remember their “childhood friends” and play as if they had never parted.

It's hard to believe, but it was this strange habit that led to the idea of ​​​​using dogs in diagnostics. The four-legged dogs often told their owners that their new friend was sick or not feeling well. This information was obtained only by smell. After short observations in laboratory conditions, an innovative experiment was carried out. They tried to teach dogs to distinguish the smell of cancer processes... and it worked! As you know, a sick body works completely differently, and the main “transport” for removing “garbage” is sweat, which changes the smell.

An equally surprising fact is associated with the habit of dogs wagging their tail. When a dog wags its tail, it becomes excited, which leads to more active secretion production. But that is not all. It turns out that four-legged animals not only express joy or say hello, but also actively spread their scent, using their tails like a fan. Trying to spread the smell as actively as possible, the dog does not understand that you do not feel it, but this technique works with other four-legged animals.

Some owners worry about their dog sniffing under his tail or doing it too often. There is no reason to worry - this is natural behavior. By sniffing and licking itself under its tail, the dog observes basic hygiene rules. In addition, the same secret secreted from the glands needs to be “refreshed” - licked off so that a new one is produced. You may not think about the motivation of a pet, but you just need to come to terms with it or not get a dog at all.

Read also: The dog bit me - dream book

It's a completely different question if The dog suddenly started to smell bad, and she often sniffs and licks herself. There are two probable reasons. The first worms are solved by histogonom. The second and more likely is problems with the anal glands. With metabolic disorders, the secretion may change its consistency, becoming more liquid or thicker. In the first case, an unobtrusive but unpleasant odor will appear from the dog. In the second, the smell will disappear completely. Both situations are abnormal and require monitoring. When the glands are clogged, they are cleaned.

Ignoring this problem leads to, and this is accompanied by pain and severe itching. To eliminate the discomfort, the dog begins to scratch the painful area on the floor and ground. Scratches quickly become infected and inflammation becomes more serious. If the dog did not receive help and the situation was neglected, the doctor will have to perform surgery to remove the glands.

Sexual desire

The introduction of any dog ​​follows the same scenario. The first is the meeting of noses, the second is a shoulder bump or contact with the sides, and then sniffing under the tail. You may not have noticed the first two stages, but if you watch, you will be convinced of the truth of this theory. This is an iron rule; all four-legged animals follow it, regardless of age and gender. There is only one exception - sexual desire and aggression for the same reason.

If the situation does not seem tense to the male dog, when he meets a female dog in heat, he will follow the usual algorithm, but if there are competitors nearby... the stakes are too high. The male will try to quickly dive under the bitch’s tail; the smell will give information about whether the female is ready for mating. In the process of obtaining information, the impudent dog may be attacked by another male, even without an introduction or greeting.

In the world of mature dogs, arrogant sniffing under the tail is fraught with a slap in the face. For example, in a pack of wolves, only the leader and the alpha female have the right to sniff everyone. If a puppy or young wolf dares to poke his nose into, for example, the alpha female without permission... he will be punished by the she-wolf, the leader, and those who were simply nearby.