Dog owners spend a lot of time wondering what is going on inside their dogs’ heads. Why do they eat grass when there’s perfectly good food in their bowl? Why do they insist on licking us? And why would any animal willingly eat poop?
Some dog behaviors are simply part of being a dog, while others can occasionally be a sign that something isn’t quite right. Here are answers to 10 of the questions dog owners commonly turn to Google to ask.
Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?
Watching a dog happily graze on the lawn can make you wonder whether he’s hungry, bored or trying to tell you his stomach hurts. The truth is that there isn’t one proven explanation for why dogs eat grass.
For many dogs, eating grass appears to be completely normal behavior. They may like its taste or texture, eat it out of curiosity or boredom, or simply have an instinctive desire to consume some plant material. Grass can also add roughage to the diet.
One persistent belief is that dogs deliberately eat grass when they’re sick so they can make themselves vomit. While a dog that already feels nauseous may eat grass, most grass-eating dogs aren’t necessarily trying to make themselves throw up.
Occasional grazing usually isn’t cause for concern. However, pay attention if your dog suddenly begins eating large amounts of grass, seems frantic about it, repeatedly vomits afterward, has diarrhea, stops eating, or shows other signs of illness. It’s also best to keep dogs away from grass that may have been treated with pesticides, herbicides or other lawn chemicals.
Why Do Dogs Lick You?
Sometimes a dog lick really is the canine equivalent of a kiss—but licking can mean quite a few things.
Dogs use licking as a form of communication from an early age. Puppies lick their mothers, dogs lick one another, and many dogs quickly discover that licking their humans gets a response. If you smile, talk to your dog or pet him every time he gives you a lick, you’ve probably helped teach him that licking is an excellent way to get your attention.
Your skin can also be interesting simply because it tastes salty or carries interesting scents, particularly after you’ve eaten, exercised or handled food.
Context is important. A relaxed dog who gives you a few licks while cuddling is behaving very differently from a dog who repeatedly and compulsively licks people, himself, furniture or other objects. Excessive licking can sometimes accompany anxiety, boredom, itching, pain or other medical and behavioral problems.
So yes, your dog’s enthusiastic face licking may be partly about affection. But there’s probably more than one thing going through that very wet nose.
Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?
Of all the strange things dogs do, eating poop has to rank fairly high on the list.
The behavior even has a name: coprophagia.
Poop eating can occur for several reasons. Puppies explore the world with their mouths and may experiment with things we’d rather they didn’t. Mother dogs also naturally clean up after young puppies, and some dogs may develop poop-eating as a learned behavior.
Boredom, anxiety and attention can play a role as well. If grabbing poop guarantees that a horrified human will immediately chase you around the yard, an enterprising dog may discover that it makes a surprisingly effective game.
There can occasionally be a medical component, particularly when an adult dog suddenly develops the behavior. Conditions that affect digestion or appetite, parasites and some medications can potentially contribute, which makes a sudden behavioral change worth discussing with your veterinarian.
The simplest prevention is also one of the most effective: pick up poop promptly. Avoid punishing or chasing your dog for it. Instead, work on a reliable “leave it” cue and reward him for choosing something considerably less disgusting.
Why Do Dogs Shake?
Dogs shake for plenty of harmless reasons. They shake water from their coats, shiver when they’re cold and sometimes tremble when they’re excited.
A dog may even perform a full-body shake after an exciting, stressful or uncomfortable interaction. It’s one of those behaviors owners begin noticing everywhere once they know to watch for it.
But shaking can also be associated with fear, anxiety, pain, nausea, fever, low blood sugar, poisoning and a variety of medical conditions.
The circumstances usually provide important clues. A small dog trembling while waiting outside on a freezing morning probably isn’t much of a mystery. A dog who suddenly begins shaking intensely inside a warm house and doesn’t stop deserves much closer attention.
Contact your veterinarian if the shaking is unexplained, persistent or accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, weakness, difficulty walking, unusual behavior, loss of appetite or signs of pain. Sudden severe tremors, seizures or suspected toxin exposure warrant urgent veterinary attention.
Why Do Dogs Stare at You?
You look across the room and there he is: your dog, staring directly at you.
Fortunately, he’s probably not plotting anything.
Dogs pay extremely close attention to humans. They watch our faces, movements and routines for information, and staring can be a way of figuring out what we’re about to do. Your dog may have learned that picking up a particular pair of shoes means a walk, opening a certain cupboard means treats, or moving toward the couch means it’s time to claim the best seat before you get there.
Dogs may also stare because they want something—food, play, attention, a walk or access to the backyard. And sometimes a relaxed gaze between a dog and someone he trusts is simply part of their social bond.
Body language makes the difference. A soft expression, relaxed body and loose posture generally aren’t concerning. A hard, fixed stare accompanied by stiffness, guarding, growling or other signs of discomfort should not be interpreted as affection. Give the dog space and pay attention to what prompted the behavior.
Why Do Dogs Follow You Everywhere?
If going from the kitchen to the bathroom means acquiring a four-legged escort, you aren’t alone.
Dogs are social animals, and many genuinely enjoy being near the people they trust. Following you can also be rewarding. Interesting things happen around humans: meals are prepared, doors are opened, walks begin and treats mysteriously appear.
Some dogs are naturally more inclined to stay close than others, and owners can unintentionally reinforce the behavior by giving their dogs attention every time they follow.
Following isn’t necessarily the same thing as separation anxiety. A dog who trails you around the house but settles down comfortably when you leave may simply prefer your company.
It becomes more concerning when a dog seems unable to relax without a particular person or becomes distressed when that person leaves. Barking, howling, destructive behavior, attempts to escape, pacing, drooling or house-soiling during absences can point to a separation-related problem that deserves professional attention.
Otherwise, you may simply have a dog who has appointed himself your permanent personal assistant.
Why Do Dogs Howl?
Howling is one of the oldest sounds in the canine communication toolkit.
Dogs may howl in response to other dogs, sirens, musical instruments and other long or high-pitched sounds. Some appear to join in almost automatically when they hear a sound that resembles another howl.
Howling can also attract attention or communicate a dog’s location. Certain breeds are considerably more vocal than others, so what seems extraordinary in one household might be perfectly ordinary in another.
Dogs can also learn very quickly that howling gets results. If your dog howls and you immediately talk to him, laugh or come running, you’ve just demonstrated that his long-distance communication system works beautifully.
However, persistent howling when a dog is alone can sometimes be associated with separation distress. A sudden increase in vocalization—particularly in an older dog—can also warrant a conversation with your veterinarian.
If the howling occurs every time a fire engine passes the house, though, you may simply have a dog who feels obligated to answer the call.
Why Do Dogs Pant?
Panting is one of the main ways dogs regulate their body temperature. Unlike humans, dogs don’t rely on sweating across most of their bodies to cool themselves. Rapid breathing with the mouth open helps moisture evaporate from the tongue and respiratory tract, helping release heat.
That’s why panting after a run, during warm weather or following an enthusiastic game of fetch is generally normal.
Dogs also pant when they’re excited, stressed or frightened. A trip to the veterinarian, thunderstorm or unfamiliar situation can produce panting even when the temperature is perfectly comfortable.
What matters is whether the panting makes sense.
Heavy panting while resting in a cool room, a sudden change in your dog’s normal breathing, or panting accompanied by weakness, coughing, distress, pain or unusual gum color can indicate a medical problem.
Heatstroke is particularly dangerous. A dog who has been exposed to excessive heat and is panting heavily, drooling, weak, confused, vomiting or collapsing needs immediate veterinary care.
Why Does My Dog Smell Like Fish?
This is one Google search nobody particularly enjoys making.
A sudden fishy odor from a dog often comes from the anal glands, two small sacs located on either side of the anus. These glands contain a strong-smelling fluid that is normally released in small amounts when a dog passes stool.
Sometimes the glands don’t empty properly. They can become overly full, impacted or infected, producing the unmistakable odor that sends dog owners searching for answers.
You may also notice your dog scooting across the floor, licking or biting around his rear end, having difficulty passing stool or seeming uncomfortable when sitting.
Not every unusual odor comes from the anal glands. Skin infections, ear problems, dental disease and urinary or reproductive problems can also produce unpleasant smells.
If the fishy odor keeps returning—or your dog seems painful, swollen, irritated or unwell—have your veterinarian take a look rather than repeatedly trying to mask the smell.
Your nose may have discovered the problem before your eyes did.
Why Do Dogs Scratch?
Every dog gets an itch now and then. Frequent scratching is another matter.
One of the most common causes is itchy skin. Fleas and other parasites can cause intense irritation, and allergies to environmental triggers or foods can also leave dogs scratching, chewing or licking themselves.
Dry or irritated skin, bacterial or yeast infections, and ear problems can contribute as well. Some dogs scratch more when they’re anxious or bored, although behavioral explanations shouldn’t be assumed until possible physical causes have been considered.
Look beyond the scratching itself. Red skin, hair loss, scabs, sores, an unusual odor, excessive paw licking, repeated ear scratching or head shaking can all provide clues.
If your dog scratches occasionally and then carries on with his day, there’s probably little reason for concern. If he’s scratching enough to damage his skin, wake himself from sleep or interrupt normal activities, it’s time to investigate the cause with your veterinarian.
Stopping the itch is important, but finding out why your dog is itchy is what ultimately solves the problem.
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