Getting sick is never pleasant, whether it’s a minor ailment like a headache or something more serious like the flu. It can be difficult to find the energy to do anything, and the discomfort can be overwhelming. However, if you’re fortunate enough to have a dog, they can provide some much-needed comfort during this time.
Signs Your Dog Can Tell You are Sick
Dogs are incredibly loyal and observant creatures. They pay close attention to your behavior, including your facial expressions, posture, energy levels, and even the tone of your voice. Similarly, you can also observe your dog’s behavior to understand how they’re feeling and how they’re reacting to the situation.
Dogs have different ways of showing their affection when you’re not feeling well. They may show concern by staying close to you and following you around. They may also exhibit appeasement behavior, such as avoiding direct eye contact, blinking, giving sideways glances, keeping their ears down, and relaxing their tail. Yawning, licking their lips, and settling their head on their paws are also signs of appeasement.
When your dog comforts you while you’re sick, it’s a display of love. There are other ways your dog shows their affection as well. Recent studies have shown that dogs lift their left eyebrow and left ear back when they love someone. They may also lean against you or stare at you with their big, loving eyes. Even laying on your stinky socks or greeting you enthusiastically when you come home are signs of their affection.
Body Language
Some signs that your dog can tell when you’re feeling sick include yawning, lip licking, dropped ears, averting eyes, and blinking. Additionally, they may exhibit other behaviors like staying by your side, mimicking your behavior, and nuzzling or nudging you.
The History of Dogs Knowing When Someone is Sick
The bond between humans and dogs has evolved over centuries, and it’s not just us who have changed them, but they have also changed us. Being around dogs has physiological benefits, such as lowering our heart rate, blood pressure, and releasing oxytocin, the love hormone. Dogs also help us emotionally by reducing anxiety and making us feel safe and brave. They are sensitive to our needs and show us comfort when we’re sick.
The Science of Dogs Telling When We are Sick
It’s not just our imagination when we believe that our dogs can sense when we’re sick. Scientific studies have shown that dogs can accurately identify changes in the human body associated with specific medical conditions. They can also read our facial expressions and learn our body language and energy levels. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell and can detect hormone and physical changes in our bodies when we’re sick, including changes in blood sugar levels. They have even been trained to detect conditions like cancer, narcolepsy, migraines, seizures, and anxiety attacks.
Training Your Dog to Know You are Sick
While dogs often intuitively know when we’re feeling unwell, you can further train them to be more responsive to your needs. Firstly, avoid pushing your dog away or scolding them when you’re sick, as it may make them think you don’t want their presence during illness. Secondly, reward your dog for being by your side when you’re sick, through petting, praising, or even giving them treats. Finally, reciprocate the care when your dog is sick by providing them with the necessary medical attention and extra care.
“The loyalty and love of a dog can bring comfort and healing to even the sickest of days.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Observe and learn your dog’s body language: Just as dogs can read our behavior, we have a responsibility to learn to read our dog’s behavior. Take the time to observe your dog and learn about dog body language, including signs of concern and appeasement.
2️⃣ Recognize the signs of your dog showing affection when you’re sick: Dogs show affection and concern when their owners are not feeling well. Look for signs such as staying by your side, mimicking your behavior, nuzzling or nudging you, and showing appeasement through body language like yawning, lip licking, and avoiding direct eye contact.
3️⃣ Train your dog to be responsive to your needs when you’re sick: While dogs can often naturally sense when their owners are sick, you can train them to be even more responsive to your needs. Avoid pushing your dog away or scolding them when you’re sick, reward them for being by your side, and make sure to provide them with extra care and attention when they are sick.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. How can dogs tell when their owners are sick?
– Dogs can read their owners’ facial cues, posture, energy level, and tone of voice to determine if they are sick.
2. What are some signs that a dog knows their owner is sick?
– Signs include staying by their owner’s side, mimicking their behavior, and nuzzling or nudging them.
3. Is there any scientific evidence to support the idea that dogs can detect illness in humans?
– Yes, studies have shown that dogs can accurately identify changes in the human body associated with specific medical conditions.
4. Can dogs be trained to be more responsive to their owner’s needs when they are sick?
– Yes, by rewarding and praising their dogs for being by their side when they are sick, owners can train them to be more attentive during times of illness.
5. How does a dog’s presence and companionship benefit their sick owner?
– Dogs can provide comfort and emotional support to their sick owners, and their presence can help lower heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety levels.
