What Are Dogs Sniffing for When They Poop

Dogs do not just kick behind themselves against the ground when they poop but also after they pee too.

The body of a dog is constantly producing essential chemical reactions. These reactions allow dogs to communicate with their kind through pheromones.

This behavior might seem off to humans, but in the world of canines, it is normal. They might even take pride in it. Of course, some human behaviors are confusing to dogs too, but they would only question you with a woof! Dogs share their ancestry with wild wolves, like how we have primates as our ancestors. So, a few behaviors, like kicking after they poop, have remained with dogs. Be it sand, grass, or dirt, your dog kicks all of it. You might also think that this would be their way of covering or cleaning up, and you would be right. It is a way to communicate through pheromones with other species as a safety mechanism. This behavior is called 'scrape behavior'. The intensity also varies from one dog to another. One dog might kick each of its paws once, whilst another may kick several times.

This natural habit of both a pup and an adult dog has a common interpretation of being for covering their mess but there are other reasons for it as well. This common ground-scratching behavior can be seen in many other animals. This act seen in canines helps them to communicate by releasing pheromones in addition to the scent of their urine and feces.

If you are enjoying reading why do dogs kick after they poop, then you may also like to find out answers for why do dogs lick themselves and why do dogs roll in poop.

What are dogs trying to do when they kick after a poop?

The bottom of a dog's feet has scent glands that produce pheromones and this biological trait was used by the ancestors of dogs for territorial claims.

As a now domesticated animal, dogs don't really require these glands. Humans cannot see the chemical process that takes place but it is an essential part of a dog's social interaction. You might come across a particular smell if you ever sniff the paws of your pup, and this is because your dog might have recently stimulated their paw pads to produce pheromones to spread their scent. Some territorial dogs kick on their feces or urine to give out a warning. In addition, a dog kicks behind after pooping to give out a sign that he/she is ready to mate. Some dogs might flick their back legs after pooping to clean their paws. It might even be a sign of covering up waste, which is common in cats but some canine species do cover or spread waste as well. This is also another way to mark their territory as the act of spreading waste would bring more attention to their poop. This habit cannot be stopped even in domesticated dogs who essentially have the grass in their gardens as private bathrooms!

So, when dogs kick after they poop or pee, they are marking territory, wiping paws, and burying or getting rid of their waste.

What instinct does this come from?

This instinctive behavior comes from their ancestors; wolves and foxes.

These canines are territorial by nature and habit and kicking dirt behind themselves after pooping is natural. This strange behavior is done for marking territory. Other dogs can easily know if they are walking on another dog's territory by using their sense of smell. This behavior of spreading scent brings your pet satisfaction and happiness. This is also a dog's way of letting other canine species know if there is food or even danger in the location. In a house with more than one dog, some dogs hardly kick after pooping while others might display aggressive kicking. In a completely different situation, a canine might bury the feces, trying to hide their presence when they feel threatened, but this is common among wild canine species. Your pet is not doing this to destroy your house or just because they are bored. This natural habit dates way back to the time when dogs were not domesticated and they were responsible for their own safety. Back then, this was a protection method against other dogs.

So, dog owners do not have to worry if your dog displays this behavior of kicking after they poop.

How do you stop dogs from kicking after pooping?

Dogs should not be stopped or discouraged from this instinctive behavior. However, there are some techniques to limit the damage to your lawn or grass.

You can't stop a dog from behaving this way as it is a basic instinct. Also, it is not a bad habit or behavior but it can definitely destroy your well-mowed lawn. To protect your property, you can walk your dog elsewhere when they need to poop or pee. You can walk them on a leash and your pet can poop and kick freely. You can also train your dog from a young age to poop in a designated space. Don't forget to always carry a bag to clean up after your dog. While potty training your pet use pebbles, mulch, or river rocks instead of grass so there won't be as much damage to your lawn. This way your pet can poop in peace without creating a mess around your yard. Sometimes your pup might even just kick against concrete, kitchen tile, your sofa, or the living room carpet. This can not only damage your property but can also be dangerous to your pet. Your pet's paw pads could get injured, which can lead to bleeding or cracking. Temporarily, you can apply creams or balms to their feet.

If this behavior escalates, it can be a sign of anxiety or stress. If you are ever concerned, it is a good idea to take your pet to visit a veterinarian.

Why do other animals kick after pooping?

Other animals also have certain instinctive behaviors and kicking after pooping is one of them.

Dogs alone don't behave this way; foxes and wolves kick after they poop too. Cats can also be spotted kicking kitty litter around. Woodchucks, armadillos, weasels, and minks kick after they poop to cover it up. These animals are also doing this for the same reasons a dog does as well as to stay away from predators and settle any disputes over territories. This is a common instinctive behavior of animals and it is one of the ways they communicate with their own kind.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestion for why do dogs kick after they poop, then why not take a look at why do dogs like socks, or corgi facts?

What Are Dogs Sniffing for When They Poop

Source: https://kidadl.com/fun-facts/funny-puppy-practices-why-do-dogs-kick-after-they-poop

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