It’s no secret that our pups occasionally engage in behaviors that might seem peculiar or even off-putting to us. But one of the most surprising canine interests is period blood, and while this can be a sensitive topic for many it’s something that we’re frequently asked about. Here’s a recent question from a Not A Bully reader named Ann:<\/p>\n
“Why does my puppy seem so interested in my menstrual blood? We’ve only had him for a few weeks and he hasn’t shown any interest in the bathroom trash (so we left it on the ground). But then my boyfriend came into the bathroom to see my dog sniffing and licking a used menstrual pad in the trash. Is this normal? Should I be worried?”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
As a veterinary technician, I can tell you this is completely normal! But also talked to Not A Bully’s advising veterinarians Dr. Patel<\/a> and Dr. Menicucci<\/a> to come up with a quick answer:<\/p>\n
Dogs are naturally drawn to period blood due to its unique smell and the potential hormonal information it provides. <\/strong><\/p>\n
While it might seem odd, it’s a common instinctual behavior. Dogs, especially those bred for hunting, may find the scent particularly intriguing due to their acute sense of smell. This behavior is not usually a cause for concern, but it’s important to prevent dogs from ingesting menstrual products, which can be extremely dangerous. <\/strong><\/p>\n
Training commands like “leave it” can help manage this behavior. Keeping the bathroom door closed and trash bins secure can also prevent unwanted access to menstrual products.<\/strong><\/p>\n
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each explanation for a deeper understanding of the biological and instinctual motivations for this behavior. Let’s get started!<\/p>\n
Reason 1: Period Blood Smells Unusual and Dogs Like Unusual Scents<\/h2>\n
Period blood is not just plain blood.\u00a0 It’s a complex mix of body fluid<\/a> made up of blood, secretions, and skin cells of a woman’s uterine wall.<\/p>\n
As a result, period blood smells different from typical blood, even to our human noses. And if we can smell the difference\u00a0between blood and period blood, imagine what a dog’s powerful nose can detect!<\/p>\n
Period blood is something that dogs aren’t able to smell regularly and could be something worth investigating.\u00a0 Dogs like to smell unusual things in the same way that we humans might like to read new books.\u00a0 An unusual smell gives a dog a sense of mental stimulation and enrichment.<\/p>\n
So, it’s natural for a dog to show interest in new smells and it’s not just menstrual blood that will pique your pup’s interest<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Dr. Menicucci explains that “dogs’ attraction to various scents, including menstrual blood, is instinctual and linked to their scavenging behavior. However, this does not mean dogs have a specific preference for blood over other scents and the scavenging instinct encourages them to explore any new scent.”<\/p>\n
Reason 2: They Might Be Smelling Some Hormonal Changes In You<\/h2>\n
Dogs have such amazing senses of smell that they can detect hormone fluctuations simply by the changes in smell that they create.<\/p>\n
Many owners report changes in their dog’s behavior once they become pregnant.\u00a0 Some dogs will lie their heads on their owners’ stomachs<\/a> or become more protective. This is likely a response to their perception of changing hormones.<\/p>\n
For dogs, period blood can hold a plethora of information about their owner’s hormones.\u00a0 Dogs might like to smell your period blood because it gives them information about your health. One study found<\/a> that dogs can detect changes in their owner’s stress levels simply by scent.<\/p>\n
Just as a dog takes an interest in the unique smell of menstrual blood, the cascade of hormonal changes generates other smells that dogs are also interested in exploring.<\/p>\n
Reason 3: You Have A “Blood” Breed<\/h2>\n