Your Dog’s Strongest Sense Uncovered

Are you wondering what that delicious smell is? Ask your dog. Dogs have long been known for their incredible sense of smell. Whether they are helping detectives with investigations, searching for Vita Bone Artisan Inspired Biscuits or sniffing out new friends, a dog navigates the world around him through his nose. In fact, scientists say that a canine’s sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times as acute as a human’s. While many of us know that dogs like to sniff, their sense of smell is much more than just another sense.

It is their primary source of communication.

When a dog sniffs their companions, they are not only saying hello, but also learning what the other dog’s sex is, what it ate that day, what it touched, what mood it is in and whether or not it is pregnant.

They have tens of millions of olfactory receptors.

On average, humans have about six million olfactory receptors that are responsible for detecting smells. Dogs, on the other hand, can have up to 300 million of them. Some of these are housed in their secondary olfactory chamber, a feature humans do not have.

Some dogs smell better than others.

Bloodhounds, Basset Hounds, Beagles and some dogs with longer snouts have a better sense of smell for various factors. Some of this can be attributed to these breeds having more olfactory glands, skin folds that help trap odors or long ears that collect more smells from the ground.

Dogs can be trained to smell.

There is a reason your favorite crime show always has dogs working on cases. Many breeds of dog can be trained to sniff out particular items and are used as work animals for the police, farmers, hunters and more.

Nostrils aren’t the only body part helping your dog smell.

Have you ever wondered why your dog was grinning? It might have been because dogs also use their mouths to smell. Nostrils can also move independently, allowing dogs to pinpoint the location of smells.

Vita Bone Artisan Inspired Biscuits are made with real meat, fruit and veggies that smell exactly like the flavors on the label, even to pet owners. The great aroma of our biscuits is designed to reward your pup, but also lends itself to other engagement activities that can improve your dog’s quality of life. Try hiding an Artisan treat and having your dog seek it out or utilizing a treat-dispensing dog toy to keep your pet’s mind stimulated while you are away. With such a strong sense of smell, why not give your dog a treat that smells as good as it tastes?

 

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