Dogs can detect illnesses in their owners by relying on their super keen sense of smell. Some of these animals become alert dogs, where they can sense seizures and low blood sugar before their owners feel symptoms. In the long run, this can better handlers’ quality of life and help them overcome major disabilities.
Continue reading to learn about how dogs detect illnesses, how, and why.
How Do Dogs Detect Illnesses in Their Owners?
Dogs’ superpowers lie in their incredible sense of smell, which is 10,000 to 100,000 times more powerful than that of humans. For every olfactory receptor we have, they have 50!
Like humans, dogs can read the facial expressions of their human parents, which suggests that they may be able to detect when their owners are in pain. The University of Lincoln in the United Kingdom published a study in 2016 that claimed dogs could detect human emotions.
In one experiment, 17 domestic dogs were exposed to various combinations of noises and visuals while displaying either happy or sad facial expressions. It was found that the dogs spent a longer time looking at the facial expressions that matched their emotional state.
Psychology researcher Dr. Kun Guo from the University of Lincoln stated: “Our research demonstrates that canines are capable of combining two different sensory inputs to perceive emotion in people and other dogs in a cogent manner. To achieve this, a system of internal emotional classification is necessary.”
If sight and scent weren’t enough, a 2014 study found that dogs may also be able to distinguish when their masters’ voices change due to illness. Scientists discovered that dogs could differentiate between a happy and a sad owner by giving acoustic cues to them and examining their brain activity.
Some Dogs Are Trained to Detect Health Issues
Dogs may identify bladder cancer just by sniffing a subject’s urine, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal. There are thousands of service dogs trained to sniff out medical conditions and alert their owners. A medical alert dog is a special type of service dog that is specifically trained to alert their handler to the onset of a medical emergency, such as a seizure.
While most service dogs are trained to perform tasks or aid their handlers, medical alert dogs are unique in that their primary purpose is to act as an early warning system for their handlers.
Medical alert dogs can be trained to detect a wide variety of medical conditions, including seizures, low blood sugar levels, and even cancer. In fact, some medical alert dogs are even able to alert their handlers before symptoms manifest! This allows the handler to take preventive measures, such as eating or drinking something to raise their blood sugar level or taking medication to prevent a seizure.
While not all medical conditions can be detected by a medical alert dog, they are still an invaluable tool for many people with chronic health conditions. If you or someone you know could benefit from a medical alert dog, there are many wonderful organizations that train and place these amazing animals.
How Dogs Are Trained to Sense Illnesses
The first step in training a medical alert dog is to assess the needs of the individual. For example, some people may benefit from a dog that is trained to detect low blood sugar levels, while others may need a dog that can alert them to oncoming seizures.
Once the specific needs of the individual have been determined, the next step is to find a suitable dog. Medical alert dogs must be intelligent, gentle, and well-behaved, and they must also have a strong bond with their handler. Some breeds suited for this important job include Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Border Collies.
Medical alert dogs are typically trained using positive reinforcement methods, such as clicker training. The goal of training is to teach the dog to recognize specific cues that indicate an impending medical event. For example, a dog that is trained to detect low blood sugar levels might be taught to sit down and bark when it smells its handler’s sweat or saliva. All service dogs’ responses are tailored to the needs of their handers.
Signs That a Dog Senses Illness
Dogs are expert sleuths when it comes to identifying changes in their keepers or human family. Nonetheless, your four-legged pal doesn’t just react to a change in behavior to let you know something isn’t right. He can also sense a decrease in dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin levels to identify depression or other emotional states.
Some signs that your dog is smelling that something is up is that he might become more protective and try to keep others away from you. He might also be more attentive and follow you everywhere, refusing to leave your side. He can also tilt his head to try to hear better and be more sensitive to unfamiliar sounds. He might hold his tail up high and not wag when he is smelling something strange.
