Dogs experience the world through their noses in ways that humans can hardly imagine. While our sense of smell is relatively basic, dogs have up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses (compared to our mere 5 million), and a significant portion of their brains is devoted to analyzing scent. This incredible ability allows them to detect things that are completely beyond human capability. Here are 10 fascinating things dogs can smell that humans can’t:
Cancer
Dogs can detect certain types of cancer, including breast, lung, and skin cancers, by sniffing a person’s breath, urine, or skin. Some studies suggest that dogs can smell the volatile organic compounds released by cancer cells, even before medical tests can detect them.
Changes in Blood Sugar
For people with diabetes, specially trained dogs can smell changes in blood sugar levels. They’re often able to alert their owners before dangerous highs or lows occur, potentially preventing medical emergencies.
Ovulation and Hormonal Shifts
Dogs can detect hormonal changes in the human body, including when someone is ovulating or pregnant. They may sniff more intensely or act differently around someone whose body is undergoing a shift in hormone levels.
Fear and Stress
When a person is scared or anxious, their body releases hormones and sweat that dogs can detect. Even if a person is trying to mask their fear, a dog may respond with calming behaviors or increased alertness. This sensitivity helps dogs excel in roles such as service animals for individuals with anxiety or PTSD.
Bedbugs
Long before a human would notice an infestation, dogs can sniff out bedbugs hiding in mattresses, walls, or furniture. Their noses are so accurate that some pest control companies use dogs specifically trained for this purpose.
Electronic Devices
Believe it or not, dogs trained in law enforcement can sniff out hidden electronics like USB drives, cell phones, and hard drives. This skill is often used in detecting contraband in prisons or during criminal investigations.
Natural Disasters
Dogs have been known to detect the early signs of natural disasters like earthquakes. While the exact mechanism isn’t fully understood, it’s believed they may sense changes in barometric pressure or smell underground shifts before humans can feel them.
Diseases Like COVID-19
In recent years, dogs have been trained to identify people infected with viruses like COVID-19. They can smell the metabolic changes in a person’s body caused by viral infections, offering a non-invasive method of detection.
Human Decomposition
Cadaver dogs are specially trained to smell the unique scent of human decomposition, even if the body is buried, submerged in water, or hidden under rubble. This ability is vital in search and rescue or forensic investigations.
Time
While dogs may not “smell” time in the way we experience it, they can detect how scents change throughout the day. They might know when it’s time for their walk or when a family member is due home based on how a scent trail has faded or changed over time.
- Please Note: This content was created with the assistance of AI and thoroughly edited by a human before publishing.
