Have you ever noticed that your dog seems to be a bit more affectionate to you when you have a cold or flu? Maybe you have and seen more like lying in bed or couch with you or hang out by your side or more. Do you know why they do this and how they do this? Don’t know if you have seen that or not, but honestly, I do become a bit more careful about myself when I feel sick. Sometimes it’s before anyone else. How can she do that? Is my dog trying to tell me I’m sick?
In simple words, “yes,” they can. That’s the coolest thing about a dog. They can sense your sickness before you do. How? Well, that’s what I am going to discuss in this article. It might be a little funny, but they really can sense your sickness, and I am going to prove the facts with some reports. So, get ready to be amazed.
Contents
Is My Dog Trying to Tell Me I’m Sick?
Dogs have a powerful sense of smell. They have always been able to smell things, even when they were wild. They use their sense of smell to detect different things, like hunting and finding food. They can also smell when a human is sick.
Dogs have a very strong sense of smell, which they use to detect when people are sick. This is a gift from God that they have had for a long time.
Dogs can sense the illness of their fellow dog too. If you have ever found that one dog is licking a specific spot of another dog, it means he/she has found a sore or scrape there. A dog can sense this, and now he/she is trying to help the affected dog out.
Okay, these are years old. But recently, scientists have discovered and confirmed that dogs have the capability to detect our illness. This capability of the dog comes from their extraordinary smell sensing power. In fact, scientists are now using this power of a dog to detect some major illnesses in the human body, and some dogs are even trained for that. Dogs nowadays are not only capable of sensing some common flues or cold, but they can also detect cancer in the human body. Interesting, isn’t it?
Science Behind This Sensing Capability of a Dog
The sickness in a human body comes through several chemical changes, and dogs can detect those changes precisely. They are capable of detecting volatile organic compounds to be more specific.
When we are sick, there occurs a reduction in our happiness receptors and hormones. These are mainly serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine. Dogs can detect these small changes, and that’s how they can sense your illness from the early stage before you are even aware of it. The laxity in your energy is also considered by dogs. They can even sense your emotions and detect your facial cues, which helps them to know about the condition of your health.
Signs of a Dog When He/she Knows That You Are Sick
Well, there are several signs by which you can understand that your dog is telling you that you are sick. In this section, I am going to highlight some common signs that you will give you a better understanding of the fact.
I have already mentioned that your dog will become extra affectionate to you when you feel sick. Above all, they seem to cuddle you a bit more than the normal days. Their love will just increase a little more. Moreover, you will find that they are trying to sleep with you on your bed constantly. In some cases, they will always try to place their head in your lap or just be somewhere close to you. These signs express that they are always here for you.
When you’re around, they’ll just chill. They’ll want less playtime and walks compared to when they were younger. Even if you take them on a walk, they might not get as excited as before. It’s because they can understand that you’re running out of energy and getting tired. So they don’t want to force you.
Your dog will always be there for you, no matter what the situation is. They will adjust their behavior to make you feel comfortable and lower your stress. This is how they will attempt to make you feel better when you will feel sick.
Training Your Dogs to Sense the Sickness
Your family dog doesn’t need any training to detect sickness, because they are already gifted with this special sensing power. But some special dogs can be trained to detect more serious diseases like cancer. These kinds of dogs are particularly known as medical detection dogs.
Follow some natural training methods. Give your dog some rewards when they actually detect something. Teach them to pick the specific scents. There are lots of training center you can also take their help. By the way, you must ensure a proper environment for them to give them proper training.
Conclusion
Aren’t you feeling the superpower in your dog yet? Maybe you are. They are really our best companion, and no matters what happens, they will never leave our side. Is my dog trying to tell me I’m sick? Have you got your answer? Hopefully, you have, but if you have still got anything to ask, feel free to ask me through the comment section below.
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