One of the oddest behaviors of dogs is their tendency to play with or try to eat garbage. While this might seem strange to us, there are several reasons behind it. As a veterinarian and a professor who teaches about companion animals, I believe the simplest explanation is that the smell of garbage is very appealing to dogs, and they enjoy eating it.
The Amazing Olfactory Sense of Dogs
Dogs have an extremely powerful sense of smell. They have 300 million odor receptors in their nostrils, while humans only have 6 million. This unique ability can be trained to help dogs find illegal drugs, explosives, and missing persons. For dogs, understanding the world through smell is a natural trait.
Now, while we humans shy away from the smell of garbage, for dogs it is a natural and attractive experience. Apple fibers, banana peels, pieces of meat, and stale bread in the garbage are like food items for dogs. Even used napkins and paper towels are attractive to them, which are tainted with the smell of the last meal.
Is searching garbage an old habit of dogs?
Finding things hidden in garbage can be a natural habit for dogs. This habit comes from their ancient ancestors, who used to follow humans to eat bones and pieces of meat left by them. This habit has been deeply ingrained in dogs for thousands of years. Whenever dogs roam around in garbage, it reminds them of their old searching instincts.
Even when dogs have already eaten, searching for things in garbage can be an exciting experience for them. The smell and taste of food hidden in garbage attracts them, as they feel it like prey.
Things found in garbage and their attraction
The garbage we throw away still seems like food for dogs. Whether it is used paper napkins, plastic wrap or food scraps – everything is an attraction for dogs. When a dog eats something from the garbage, he tries it again and again because he knows that something tasty can be found. This process is like hunting, which gives them mental and physical stimulation.
Dangers of eating from garbage
Although it may be a natural instinct for dogs, it can also be dangerous for them. Garbage may contain a variety of things such as plastic bags, threads, chicken bones, chemicals and rotten food. If the dog eats these things, it can cause blockage in his stomach, diarrhea, and poisoning. This condition is called “Garbage Gut” which can be life-threatening.
Sometimes dogs may eat sharp objects in the garbage, such as broken glass or metal bottles, which can cause injury to their mouth or intestines. To avoid these kinds of dangers, it is very important to keep dogs away from the garbage.
Tips to Keep Dogs Away from the Garbage
If your dog keeps trying to get into the garbage, it can be a bit challenging to keep him away, especially if he has found something tasty before. In such a case, you can adopt some measures, such as keeping the garbage can closed with a lid that the dog cannot open. If this solution does not work, you can hide the garbage behind a cupboard or door.
In my house, the garbage cans are all behind closed doors and the bathroom doors are always closed so that even my cat Penny cannot open the toilet paper.
Conclusion
Although no one knows what goes on in the minds of dogs, understanding their primitive habits and hunting instincts helps us understand why dogs do certain things. Their getting into garbage and eating it is not just a habit but is a part of the hunting instincts of their wild ancestors. Dogs not only find food through this process but it also gives them mental stimulation and pleasure.
So, understanding this behavior of dogs, we must ensure that they stay away from garbage so that they do not face any danger.
FAQs
Q. Why do dogs like to play with trash?
A. Dogs are attracted to trash because it contains interesting smells and food scraps that appeal to their strong sense of smell.
Q. Is it harmful for dogs to eat from the trash?
A. Yes, it can be dangerous. Eating items like plastic, bones, or spoiled food can cause health issues like blockages or poisoning.
Q. How can I stop my dog from playing with trash?
A. Use a trash can with a secure lid, or keep trash out of your dog’s reach to prevent access to it.
Q. Why do dogs have a strong attraction to food scraps in trash?
A. Dogs have an excellent sense of smell, and food scraps in the trash smell appealing to them, triggering their natural scavenging instincts.
Q. Can playing with trash be part of a dog’s instinct?
A. Yes, it’s a natural behavior rooted in scavenging instincts that date back to their wild ancestors.