Why It's Important to Let Your Dog Sniff, Unrushed, During Walks
By March 19, 2021 as Published in Martha Stewart
An expert explains how, like humans, our pets need mental and physical exercise
Unlike cats that can thrive in an indoor-only environment, dogs need to walk on a daily basis. This outdoor exercise is good for their health and helps them to work off excess energy. It also gives them an opportunity to engage in their natural instincts, including sniffing the world around them—and this is why we should let them stop and smell along the way. “Dogs were born to sniff! They have adapted mastery sniffing and sensory abilities over thousands of years and use it to investigate their surroundings,” explains Dr. Gabrielle Fadl, DVM, medical director and veterinarian at Bond Vet. “From sniffing a tree to another dog’s rump, our furry friends spend time sniffing things as a way to either distinguish its components or gather information about its environment.” Read More…