Study shows that dogs are more likely to interact with and be interested in the scents of lavender, blackberry, blueberry, peppermint, linalool, and rose
How many of us love dogs, yet went it comes to living with them, how often do we really try to take their perspective? It’s easy to know what they like, especially with snacks, but do you know what smells they love and which ones they hate?
Knowing this might not only enrich and improve their environment but also get them to love you even more.
Think about it. The human sense of smell is a lot less sensitive, and yet when you encounter an odor you can’t stand, who knows if you will puke, pass out or run away.
An experiment was recently carried out on 14 dogs of different genders, breeds, sizes, and ages to better understand what odors might attract and deter them. During the experiment, 33 different fragrance oils were presented to them, some of which include peppermint oil, sage oil, tangerine oil, rose oil, lime oil, basil oil, blackberry, melon, and meat. To do so, dogs were entered into a room (size 2.4m x 3.6m) where the dog handler would unleash the dog and let them walk freely for 30 seconds. Each time a dog entered the room, 4 different samples were present. Over 8 days, each dog undertook 40 trials.
The authors of the study found that the odor of food (i.e. meat) was usually preferred by the dogs over the other smells. Their results also suggest that dogs might find lavender pleasant, while also finding blackberry, blueberry, peppermint, castor, linalool, and rose interesting to smell.
One reason why dogs might be attracted to plant-based smells, as the authors suggest, is the fact that they can protect against parasites and help with self-curing.
8 Smells That Dogs Love
Some scents are pleasant to canines because of their effect. Your dog may not know why he likes vanilla. A study published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that it had a calming effect on rescue dogs that crosses the line between breeds. The pups barked less and engaged in less activity that is typical of stressed animals.
The same study found a similar effect with coconut. The dogs also slept more, an excellent way to recover from stress. The interesting thing about the data is that humans received similar health benefits from the scent and consumption of this tropical tree. You and your pet are definitely on the same page. It certainly doesn’t hurt that coconut tastes good, too.
This one is something you should keep in mind when you’re training your puppy. Another study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science showed that dogs were more likely to interact with toys scented with the soothing scent of lavender. That’s helpful to know when trying to teach your pet to play with his chewie and not the furniture.
It’s essential to understand that the scent is in the nose of the detector. What repels us is sometimes a magnet for the canine sniffer. Take rotting stuff. While you’re likely to run, your dog will probably roll around in it. The reason isn’t clear. Your pet may use it to mark himself or maybe hide his scent from potential predators. All we know is that it stinks!
Smell or olfaction is your dog’s keenest sense. It takes over when he can’t see his prey. He will still pick up its scent. It only seems natural that your pooch would love the smell of his quarry, too. He’ll know if rabbits are in the area long before you do. Put it down to the hunter in your pup.
The sensitivity of your dog’s sense of smell comes in handy when meeting his canine friends. Not only does he find out who’s in the neighborhood, but he also gets a full dossier on each one. He’ll figure their sex, age, health status, and more from a quick sniff. There is a valid evolutionary reason for it. Knowing the lay of the land gives him a competitive edge by assessing potential threats and opportunities.
Ginger has calming effects on humans. It can settle down a queasy stomach, which we all appreciate. It can also have similar health benefits for canines. This aromatic root can ease stress and help your pet relax in stressful situations. We think anything that can help our canine companions cope is the cat’s meow.
This one may not come as much of a surprise were it not coupled with a difference in brain activity in dogs. Researchers found that detecting the scent of a familiar human showed a heightened response in the caudate nucleus, the part associated with positive experiences. After all, it makes sense since you’re the one who feeds him and gives him treats.
Their Dog Food
Most dogs start to hover close to their humans near mealtimes, and the smell of their food being prepared is enough to make most dogs salivate with anticipation.
It’s true: Your dog can pick up on smells that can tell them how you’re feeling. They can pick up on hormones like cortisol and adrenalin, which let them know you’re feeling stressed or fearful.
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When I was a little girl, my cat Pretzel made it clear that she was not a fan of car rides. Luckily, my mom had a brilliant idea.
“Let’s put your sweatshirt inside her carrier instead of that blanket,” she suggested. “It’s soft and smells like you. I bet she’ll find it comforting.”
It helped a lot, and decades later, I still stash a piece of clothing or a toy that smells like me for my pets when they go to a friend’s house or boarding facility. In fact, veterinary research has shown animals respond positively to many scents, not just our own -– it’s one reason why pheromone dispensers are a common sight at Fear Free practices.
We also know that a dog’s sense of smell is exponentially stronger than that of humans; dogs have up to 220 million scent receptors in their noses, while humans have approximately five million. That’s why dogs are trained to find missing hikers, search for the scat of endangered species, locate smuggled narcotics, and even detect changes in blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
With such powerful sniffers, it’s no surprise that scents can affect dogs’ behavior and comfort levels. That’s why a team of British researchers decided to study whether essential oils could reduce stress and improve the welfare of dogs in shelters.
“The behavioral effects of olfactory stimulation on dogs at a rescue shelter” (Applied Animal Behaviour Science, May 2018), focused on four scents: vanilla, coconut, valerian, and ginger. Fifteen dogs of different breeds, genders, ages, and sizes who had already stayed two to 21 months at two animal shelters in the United Kingdom were exposed to six different “olfactory conditions” — four different cloths scented with the essential oils, in addition to two controls (an unscented cloth and a control situation without any cloth present).
The dogs were in serious need of environmental enrichment, receiving just two 10-minute walks a day. Eight were former strays, four were owner surrenders, and three had been transferred from another shelter. The two-hour observation sessions were scheduled well away from the dogs’ meals and walks to prevent anticipation from clouding the results. Researchers placed the cloths in the center of each enclosure, and the dogs were able to touch or otherwise “interact with” them.
The odors proved to have significant positive effects on stress indicators in the dogs. All four scented cloths led to lower levels of vocalizing (such as barking, growling, or whining) as well as less time spent pacing or moving during exposure to the oils, and more time resting. During exposure to the coconut and ginger samples, the dogs spent an increased amount of time sleeping.
Because barking and excessive activity are typically signs of stress in shelter dogs — not to mention being undesirable behaviors in the eyes of many adopters — the study concluded that exposure to the odors of vanilla, coconut, valerian, and ginger has the potential to reduce stress in shelter dogs.
Ultimately, the findings offer promising news about using environmental enrichment to enhance the lives of dogs in shelters, as well as in our homes. If you’d like to conduct your own experiment, dab a drop or two of vanilla, coconut, ginger, or valerian-scented essential oil onto a bandana. Let your dog sniff the bandana. If she responds positively, tie the bandana around her neck. She might bark less or even settle down for a snooze. One way or another, the activity and the attention from you will provide your dog with mental stimulation and strengthen the bond you share.
This article was reviewed/edited by board-certified veterinary behaviorist Dr. Kenneth Martin and/or veterinary technician specialist in behavior Debbie Martin, LVT.