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Most humans recognise a hug as a sign of affection and close friendship. That is exactly why we feel this strong urge to hug dogs out of love. After all, they are the best type of best friends. As pet parents, we love greeting our pawsome pals with dog hugs. However, do dogs like hugs? In an IAMS™ survey*, 83% of dog parents say their dog likes hugs too. Is this true? We’re going to try and get an answer to this question.
The short answer is no. Dogs do not like hugs. Now, let’s look at a bit of an explanation to this.
Some dogs enjoy canine cuddles, but usually only with their owner or household members. Otherwise, they don’t care about it. “Hugging is too much and overwhelming for many dogs and should be discouraged if the dog doesn’t know the individual very well”, advises James Serpell, B.Sc., Ph.D., Professor of Humane Ethics & Animal Welfare at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.
So, why don’t dogs like hugs? To understand this, we may need to look at what a dog really feels when you try to hug it.
Here is what your pooch probably experiences when you try to engulf it in an embrace:
Hugging is human behaviour and not dog behaviour. These animals are just not physically built for that kind of interaction. We stand upright, so we face people. Dogs are on all fours, making hugging an unnatural act for them. Hence, they prefer a friendly sniff.
To dogs, a hug comes off as dominating behaviour; it feels like someone is trying to assert control over them. It can be stressful, especially if done by a stranger.
Since ancient times, a canine’s first instinctive defense has been to run away from danger. And hugging makes them feel trapped and confined. As humans, we too feel awkward when a person we barely know gives us a long and tight hug, right? Dogs somewhat feel the same. To some extent, they would also want to escape.
Sniffing is a dog’s way of expressing love. However, we humans definitely don’t regard sniffing the same way. And no matter how much we love our canine companion, we do feel a little uncomfortable with this gesture. Similarly, your pet might find hugs discomforting. Don’t worry. A dog’s body language will give you all the signs you need to know about their comfort level. But in order to understand these signs, you must learn to read them. So, let us understand some signs that indicate your dog is uneasy.
Dogs try to avoid anything that stresses them out. So, if your dog looks away when you enfold them in your arms, they don't like hugs. Your furry friend might also open their eyes wide while looking away and this allows you to notice their whale eyes. Whale eyes are when you see the whites of a dog’s eyes. Now, that is another indication of stress and discomfort.
Dogs are generally flexible when relaxed. If your dog gets stiff when you wrap your hands around them, you should probably set them free. Your dog might also lower or tuck their tail under the belly out of stress. Moreover, you must also pay attention to your pet’s ears. Lowered ears are a sign of a stressed dog.
It’s no news that we yawn when exhausted. However, if your pooch yawns during dog hugs, they are getting stressed out. It is their way of conveying that they don’t like something.
Every dog is unique. While most of them feel uncomfortable with hugs, some might like being embraced. Here’s how you can confirm if your furball doesn’t feel suffocated when you hug them:
Tail wagging can mean several things. However, you know your dog is happy when they give you a full-body tail wag. Slow, relaxed wags mean that your dog feels composed and at ease.
Placing the paws on the hugger signifies that your dog welcomes this form of attention. A dog’s paws can do more than just walk and dig holes. It is one of the most effective modes of communication for them.
Don’t worry if your dog doesn’t want to hug it out. There are plenty of healthier ways you can show them you are still their best friend:
If you're looking for the perfect dog for you, try our Dog Breed Selector today and enjoy a lifetime of tail-wagging joy.
Dogs do not generally recognise a hug as an affectionate gesture. However, they learn to accept hugs from their owner.
Your dog might not look at hugs the way humans do. For most dogs, hugs are discomforting.
Yes. Dogs like cuddling because they love you. If your dog cuddles you, you are a part of their pack.
Is your dog always scratching, chewing, itching, or licking itself? Nibbling on its paws like they've been smeared with peanut butter? Although it may appear adorable at first, these are all indications that your dog is allergic.
Dog allergies are very common, and they are one of the primary causes of veterinary visits. Usually, their skin and ears are the most affected areas. Just as they are for humans, environmental and seasonal allergies can cause some discomfort and be an issue for dogs. While allergies in people tend to improve, allergies in dogs often worsen with age.
But how can you tell whether your dog is allergic to something and what's causing it? Unfortunately, correctly diagnosing these symptoms as dog allergies is not really simple. Your dog can't tell you what's wrong. So, it's up to you, the pet parent, to spot the signs.
The human animal isn’t the only one affected by allergies. Like you, your adult dog can suffer from allergic reactions to any number of things—in the air, on his skin, and in his food. Allergies must be diagnosed and treated by your veterinarian, but first, you must know what to look for. Therefore, to relieve your furball from all the discomfort caused by allergies, here are some dog allergy symptoms you should watch out for:
Dogs are prone to multiple types of allergies, and each requires a unique treatment. Hence, learning about them will help you identify and manage them.
Environmental allergens such as mould, dust, and pollen can cause severe allergies in dogs, also known as atopic dermatitis. They are triggered by elements found in your home or backyard, or wherever else your dog spends time. Dogs either ingest these allergens like pollen, or they get absorbed into their skin when they come into contact with them. Its ears and paws are the most affected regions; however, it can also affect the muzzle, wrists, ankles, eyes, underarms, crotch, and in between the toes.
An allergic reaction caused by flea bites is one of the most common dog allergies. Plus, flea saliva is also thought to be an allergen in dogs, causing extreme itching. Your dog's skin may become inflamed, red, and scabbed as a result of this, especially near the base of the tail.
Itchy skin in dogs is caused by sensitivities and food allergies. Allergenic protein sources such as beef (34%), dairy products (17%), and chicken (15%) can cause severe food allergies. However, dogs tend to develop a food allergy at any time in their lives, regardless of whether they had previously consumed any type of food from any brands.
Inhalant allergies in dogs are caused by the same common allergens that affect you—dust, grass, trees, mould, pollen, ragweed, etc. They can be seasonal or persistent and, while some breeds (especially short-snouted breeds) might experience the same sniffly, sneezy symptoms you might suffer, skin reactions are most common. Inhalant allergies often can be treated with the same medications you take, but please don’t treat your dog’s allergies without veterinary supervision.
Allergies can vary from dog to dog, so it is important that you work with your vet to make sure your dog gets the best possible treatment. You’ll both be happier for it.
Now that you know the types of dog allergies, it’s time to understand the most common allergic reactions in them.
Excessive itching affects the majority of dogs at some stage in their life. A dog with pruritus will bite, scratch, or lick its skin excessively. Itching is referred to as pruritus in medical terms and is one of the most common dog allergy symptoms. It is also a primary factor why dog owners seek veterinarian care.
If your dog licks its skin frequently or incessantly, especially its feet, it's a sign of allergies. The condition could be caused by irritants present in your home or while you go out for walks with your dog. However, it could also be a sign of your furball’s food allergies.
Feet chewing is another prevalent dog allergic reaction. Your dog chews its feet because of an allergy to grass or other environmental pollutants like pollen or dust mites. Inflammation and irritation occur when an allergen comes in touch with its skin. As a result, the skin in the affected area becomes unbearable, and the dog begins to gnaw.
Your dog may have an allergy if you observe it itching a lot or if you notice redness on its skin. These allergic reactions are common in all sorts of dog allergies. If they are the only symptoms you're observing in your dog, you can wait a day or two before making an appointment with your vet.
It can take a little practice to figure out different ways to help alleviate your dog's allergy issues. One effective method is to frequently bathe your dog with hypoallergenic shampoos. This will help remove allergens such as grass or pollen from your dog's body.
Flea control is also necessary to reduce allergy symptoms in a flea-allergic dog. Fleas must be inevitably treated in a dog's environment as well. Vacuum properly to eliminate the eggs and larvae, then discard the vacuum bag. Insecticides can be used both inside and outside your home to keep fleas at bay. In addition to that, hypoallergenic diets make for great dog allergy remedies. These diets contain fewer ingredients with a unique protein source, or they are processed in a specific way to reduce allergic reactions. Consult your vet for advice on the best diet for your pet. But remember that during the trial period, flavoured drugs, treats, and human meals must be avoided.
Did you know? Certain dog breeds are more prone to allergic reactions. Yes. Hence, if you have one of these breeds, you must be extremely careful with it.
The English Bulldog is a short-haired breed that sheds moderately. Although it sheds hair all year, that isn’t the only allergy issue. These dogs drool a lot, and as the saliva dries and releases proteins into the air, it might induce an allergic reaction.
An activated immune system in American bulldogs can cause allergies. If your dog has signs like itchy skin, redness, or licking its paws, you know that your dog is allergic.
The most prevalent dog allergies in Bichon Frises are contact allergies that develop skin problems as well as food allergies. They are also allergic to flea bites and allergens in the air, such as flowers, grass, dust, and trees.
These dogs are also susceptible to contact allergies. They are allergic reactions to objects they come into contact with, including houseplants, cleaning detergents, and even some dog shampoos. Symptoms are more likely to be seen on the skin, so look for redness, flakiness, or a rash in the paws, belly folds, and ears.
Keep an eye out for food allergies and environmental sensitivities that damage their skin. Boxers are especially sensitive to dog food that contains a lot of grains, such as wheat or corn. Allergies from pollen, trees, dust, and weeds can affect them at any time of year.
Like humans, dogs too have an allergic reaction to certain substances, ranging from food to environmental allergens. Let’s explore a few in brief:
Mould spores are everywhere around us. When inhaled by your dog, it can cause laboured breathing, wheezing, and even coughing. Dog allergies are also triggered by eating or living in a mouldy home. Excessive chewing, scratching, and dry or scaly skin are some of its common symptoms.
When your dog's oil glands overproduce an oil called sebum, dandruff develops. This oil helps moisturise your adorable pup's skin and adds to its overall wellness. But, when the sebaceous glands generate too much oil, an imbalance occurs, resulting in pet dander.
When fleas feed on your dog, they inject their saliva into your dog’s skin. This saliva can cause an inflammatory reaction in your dog, causing it to excessively itch its skin.
Dust mite allergies are caused by small spider-like insects that reside in houses and consume skin dander.
Unfortunately, dog allergies are incurable and unavoidable. However, you can do things to help them manage their symptoms and suffering. To begin, you must first determine the root reason, which could be flea-related, seasonal, food-related, or something else entirely. Then, you can help your dog avoid these allergies. Keep an eye out for itches and treat them immediately to avoid irritated, infected skin and ears.
If your furry friend exhibits any allergic symptoms, rush it to a veterinarian. Though most allergies are not life threatening, they can cause a lot of irritation, discomfort, and even pain to dogs. Moreover, if left untreated, such reactions can even develop into severe health issues. So, make sure you take your pooch to a vet immediately.
