Why Does My Dog Stay Out in the Rain? Three Possible Causes
As a pet owner, you know that each dog is a unique individual with its own quirks and personality traits. There are different reasons for a dog to enjoy the rain.
Have you ever noticed how rain seems to have a unique smell to it? It’s a rich and earthy scent known as petrichor. As the humidity in the air builds up before rain, microorganisms called actinobacteria become more active and produce organic compounds that have a distinctive earthy smell.
As humans, we can only detect a few parts of these compounds per trillion of air molecules. However, our furry companions have up to 300 million receptors in their snouts. Dogs can experience smells like petrichor in a much more complex way and it’s something your pooch might enjoy.
Plus, higher humidity levels mean that air molecules can carry more compounds that produce scent, which means some smells will become stronger before and during a rainstorm.
In fact, a study has found that there is a link between precipitations and dogs’ mating habits. It’s possible that high humidity levels help dogs pick up the pheromones that help them find a mate.
With all these interesting smells to explore, staying out in the rain can be an exciting and enriching activity for your dog, especially if they’re picking up the scents of other nearby dogs.
While most pets tend to shy away from the rain and limit their trips outside when it’s cold and damp, you can find dogs who genuinely enjoy the rain.
Breeds like German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, English Setters, Poodles, or Newfoundlands tend to enjoy splashing and swimming. Rain might remind these dogs of other fun experiences they had while swimming in a lake or pool.
And, let’s face it, splashing in the puddles and getting muddy is an activity that many dogs enjoy, especially large and active breeds. While staying out in a downpour might not be appealing, running around in the mud is an exciting way to exercise for dogs.
Some experts also believe that wild dogs used to roll around in the mud to hide their scents from potential predators. Your four-legged companion might have some remnants of this ancestral instinct.
Can I leave my dog wet?
If it’s cold I always dry our dog, since leaving her wet could make her sick. But if the weather is comfortable and you want to leave your dog wet, it’s probably fine. After getting wet, the natural reaction of many dogs is to shake from side to side vigorously to release water from their fur.
Is it cruel to leave a dog in the rain?
“If dogs are exposed to wet, cold weather for too long, their respiratory tract can become inflamed, which may lead to pneumonia,” Tauber says. … You may also want to consider putting a waterproof (not water-resistant) doggy raincoat on him before he goes out in the rain.