Pet Nature

Born to be Wild

Nature is starting to bloom all around us, and to celebrate all things natural, let’s take a look at your pet’s nature. The sweet little dog, cat, hamster or bird you have at home is wild at heart. Humans have domesticated many kinds of animals, but before that, they lived on their own in the wild. That means, there is usually a good reason for some of their peculiar behaviors. While spinning around before lying down in bed may look strange, for example, there is method behind their wildness.

Dogs are a great example. Our best friends have been around humans for thousands of years. But before that, they were wolves living in the wild. Many of their behaviors were programmed long before we knew them so well. Your veterinarian can help explain some of these traits and let you know if there is anything unusual going on. In the meantime, here are some fun facts:

Burying toys

Let’s start with an easy one. Dogs bury their toys and bones because, in the wild, they would have to protect the food they want to save for later from other animals. Old habits die hard.

Thrashing toys

If they value those toys so much, why do they thrash them around in their mouths? Gruesomely enough, that’s how wolves kill small animals.

Rolling around

Your recently groomed dog runs outside and rolls in who knows what. Why, you ask? Because wolves would use that offensive material to cover up their own scent. This would help protect them from other animals that might track them down.

Sniffing Hello

We have all seen how dogs say hello, and let’s say it’s a bit more personal than a handshake. Dogs can tell a lot by smelling another pooch’s rear. They can learn the sex of the other animal, their reproductive state, and their health. “Do I want to get to know this dog? Let’s see (or smell).”

Spinning before bed

Now back to that spinning around in bed. Well, wolves didn’t have nice fluffy beds or a pile of laundry to relax in. To smooth out the ground and to get rid of pesky bugs or objects, they trampled down the earth beneath them.

The animals in your home are fascinating creatures. Talk with your vet next time you stop by to learn more.

Nature is starting to bloom all around us, and to celebrate all things natural, let’s take a look at your pet’s nature. The sweet little dog, cat, hamster or bird you have at home is wild at heart. Humans have domesticated many kinds of animals, but before that, they lived on their own in the wild. That means, there is usually a good reason for some of their peculiar behaviors. While spinning around before lying down in bed may look strange, for example, there is method behind their wildness.

Dogs are a great example. Our best friends have been around humans for thousands of years. But before that, they were wolves living in the wild. Many of their behaviors were programmed long before we knew them so well. Your veterinarian can help explain some of these traits and let you know if there is anything unusual going on. In the meantime, here are some fun facts:

Burying toys

Let’s start with an easy one. Dogs bury their toys and bones because, in the wild, they would have to protect the food they want to save for later from other animals. Old habits die hard.

Thrashing toys

If they value those toys so much, why do they thrash them around in their mouths? Gruesomely enough, that’s how wolves kill small animals.

Rolling around

Your recently groomed dog runs outside and rolls in who knows what. Why, you ask? Because wolves would use that offensive material to cover up their own scent. This would help protect them from other animals that might track them down.

Sniffing Hello

We have all seen how dogs say hello, and let’s say it’s a bit more personal than a handshake. Dogs can tell a lot by smelling another pooch’s rear. They can learn the sex of the other animal, their reproductive state, and their health. “Do I want to get to know this dog? Let’s see (or smell).”

Spinning before bed

Now back to that spinning around in bed. Well, wolves didn’t have nice fluffy beds or a pile of laundry to relax in. To smooth out the ground and to get rid of pesky bugs or objects, they trampled down the earth beneath them.

The animals in your home are fascinating creatures. Talk with your vet next time you stop by to learn more.