Do Dogs Have a Sixth Sense?
Everybody knows how dogs have a seriously heightened sense of smell. They also have the ability to see better in the dark than humans do. Basically, they share the same five senses that humans have. However, many people wonder do dogs have a sixth sense?
What Exactly Is a Sixth Sense?
A sixth sense can be defined as a form of perception that is more akin to intuition. It is a way of simply knowing something, without actually having to see or feel it, or perceive it with any of your given five senses. With that being said, a sixth sense is akin to a “gut feeling.” This feeling often is a result of the information gathered by the other five senses, which increases your level of awareness.
Do dogs have a sixth sense? Let’s examine a few different examples of how this might be a possibility.
Responding to Human Emotions
Dogs have a tendency to respond accordingly to how we are feeling. For example, when we are in a good mood, our dogs may show that they are feeling the same way by jumping for joy. On the other hand, when we are feeling sad, our pup may lay calmly beside us to comfort us. In either case, it is as if our dogs know exactly what we need when we need it. Could this be their intuition guiding them?
Detecting Changes in the Weather
Dogs can hear thunder rumbling from miles away. They can smell changes in the air, and are able to sense a storm coming. Dogs even have the ability to detect changes in barometric pressure and seismic activity. If your dog begins to pace around the house nervously for seemingly no reason, you may want to take note that something is brewing in the air.
Detecting Human Illnesses
When we become ill, our body chemistry changes, and we emit certain chemical smells. Some dogs have the ability to detect these subtle changes, known as volatile organic compounds. Also known as VOCs, these compounds can be sniffed out by some dogs in individuals who have lung cancer or bladder cancer.
Dogs can also help people who have low blood sugar in a diabetic or help predict a seizure in an epileptic. When paired with the dog’s ability to know its owner’s mood, the dog is able to warn them that danger is on its way.
Predicting Daily Activities
Dogs naturally memorize our schedules and know when we are going to leave for work and come home. Their internal clock lets them know when we are going to wake up and go to bed.
With that being said, have you ever come home at a random time and had your dog waiting for you by the door? Was it their acute sense of smell and hearing that let them know you were home or was it their sixth sense?
What Do the Experts Say?
According to the American Kennel Club, dogs DO possess a sixth sense. Dr. Mary Burch, certified animal behaviorist explains that a dog’s senses “far exceed a human’s” and that “dogs are open to trusting what they feel and acting on those feelings accordingly.”