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Did you know your dog's nose could do this?

By Kimberly Gillan | Presented by VitaPet|

A superhuman sense

Sometimes our dogs are such a beloved member of our family that it's easy to forget they are actually a different species. But when you consider their superhuman sense of smell, you're quickly reminded that they think very differently to us.

Long snouts are one of the first clues จC they house some 300 million olfactory receptor cells, compared to humans' measly 5 million.

"We know that anatomically, the part of their brain that is dedicated to smell is 35 times greater than ours," explains vet Dr Lee Danks, scientific and regulatory affairs specialist at VitaPet. "They've got anywhere between 60 to 200 square centimetres of olfactory mucosa."

Dogs' moist, spongy nose helps capture scents on the breeze, and the fact they can smell separately using each nostril helps them better detect the source of a smell. "They have a really unique way of taking in air, circulating it through the back of their nose and ejecting it, all the while interpreting it in that bigger 'smelling' brain of theirs," Danks says. "I'm astounded by their capacity."

So powerful is dogs' sense of smell that it's thought that while humans could detect a strong perfume in a single room, a dog could detect the scent จC and the perfume's ingredients จC in an enclosed stadium. "Scent is definitely something you can use to your advantage," says Dr Leigh Davidson, veterinarian from Your Vet Online.

"Many people think that animals only need physical exercise, but mental exercise is important as well, and scent can play a role in that. Let them have a sniff on their walk or hide scents around the home to keep their brain active."

Scent superpower

Understanding your dog's extraordinary smelling capabilities can really help you relate to them, and get clues into their behaviour. For starters, it's important to know that they can smell when we're stressed. "If a human is feeling angry, upset or stressed, the dog will 'smell' the pheromones of that emotion," explains Sydney dog behaviourist Bianca Santucci.

"That's why you've always got to be calm when you're training your dog จC if you're tense, they'll pick up on that behaviour and may not complete the command."

When pet parents are relaxed, Santucci says they often get far better results. "I say to them, 'Start again and be nice and calm' and they're usually quite surprised when they see the difference," she says.

Fussy eaters

Mealtime is prime opportunity to capitalise on dogs' scent sensitivity.

"If your dog's turning their nose up at their kibble, then you could offer them a nice gravy-based wet food with ingredients that are new to them, which might appeal more to their sense of smell," says Danks.

That's why VitaPet offers both wet and dry food. The two ranges are designed to be paired together, if you choose จC which is called "mixed feeding". Plus, they have quality chicken and lamb options to stimulate your pooch's appetite.

Keeping busy

We can also utilise dogs' sense of scent when we go out for the day.

"Stimulating their sense of smell can help keep them busy to [assist] separation anxiety," Santucci explains. "Any type of snuffle mat, puzzle, treasure hunt or DIY bottle with treats in it will keep them busy."

Nothing to sniff at

Some pet parents get bored of stopping at every tree and light pole for their dog to have a sniff, but Santucci says it's their way of making sense of the world.

"When you take them for a walk, let them have a sniff จC it's like a community noticeboard for all the dogs and they get lots of information being passed on," she says.

"Dogs will mark and it might be saying, 'Hello, I'm a pug and I was here' and the next dog that comes along will understand that."

With real, slow-cooked ingredients and vet-approved formulas, VitaPet makes it easy to feed your dog a balanced, delicious and nutritious meal. Shop VitaPet online or in your local supermarket today.