Max, Charlie, Bella, or Luna…however you choose to call them, one things for sure: your pets can be some of your most loyal companions. Whenever youre feeling blue, youre sure to get some lovely snuggles from your darling dog or cat. And thats because animals can think and feel. In fact, whether furry or not, many critters show many humanlike qualities. For instance, they can express affection and devotion.
The similarities between animals and people dont end there. They, too, can show fear, surprise, joy, sadness, and even grief. In his book Beyond Words: How Animals Think and Feel, Carl Safina, an award-winning environmental writer, explains that animals have their own “thought processes, emotions, and social connections.” In addition, he says that “consciousness isnt merely a human experience.”
Hmmm…so you know you love them, and they love you back a hundredfold. But seriously, do pets really have a keen awareness of the world as we do? And that brings us to a question women have been curious about for so long: “Can pets tell when were on our period?” Lets investigate further…
Have you ever noticed your furry friend acting super weird when that time of the month rolls around? Maybe they’re suddenly glued to your side, sniffing your crotch way more than usual (how embarrassing!), or perhaps they’ve become extra protective. Well, you’re definitely not imagining things! As someone who’s experienced this firsthand with my own pup, I decided to dig into the science behind this curious canine behavior.
The Amazing Doggy Nose – How They Detect Your Period
Let’s get right to the point – yes, dogs can absolutely sense when a woman is on her period! And it all comes down to their incredible sense of smell.
Dogs have approximately 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses compared to our measly 5 million. That makes their sense of smell somewhere between 10000 to 100,000 times more powerful than ours! With such an amazing sniffing superpower, it’s no wonder they can detect the subtle changes happening in your body during menstruation.
When women menstruate, our bodies release different hormones and pheromones than usual. To our dogs, we simply smell different, and this new scent is super interesting to them! They’re not being gross or inappropriate – they’re just gathering information the way dogs naturally do.
The Science Behind The Sniff
So what’s actually happening when your dog gets all up in your business during your period? It’s fascinating, I promise!
Dogs have something called a vomeronasal organ (also known as Jacobson’s organ), which is specifically designed to detect pheromones. In humans, we produce pheromones through what are called apocrine glands, which are highly concentrated in our groin areas.
When a woman menstruates, these glands get busy producing different hormones and pheromones than usual. Your dog, with their amazing sense of smell and that special vomeronasal organ, picks up on these changes immediately.
As Marc Aaron from DoggySaurus explains, “Dogs can smell a woman or girl on her period due to the amazing sense of smell which is said to be 10,000 times stronger than a human’s.”
7 Common Ways Dogs React When You’re Menstruating
Dogs don’t just detect your period – they often change their behavior in response to it! Here are the most common reactions I’ve observed and researched:
- Increased sniffing of your crotch area (awkward but true!)
- Becoming more protective or territorial around you
- Showing extra affection and wanting more cuddles
- Trying to lay on you more than usual
- Acting weird or anxious around you
- Attempting to hump you (embarrassing but common)
- Showing heightened awareness of your movements and needs
According to animal behaviorist Kate Mornement, “When a woman is on her period she probably just smells different, which is interesting to the dog.” This explains why they might suddenly become your shadow!
The Dog Breeds Most Likely To Notice Your Period
While all dogs can technically sense when you’re menstruating, some breeds are more likely to make it obvious with their behavior. According to my research:
- Scent hounds like bloodhounds and basset hounds (with their superior noses) are more likely to notice and react
- Medium to large dogs tend to be more “opportunistic crotch-sniffers” (Mornement’s words, not mine!)
- Smaller dogs might be less obvious simply because they can’t reach your crotch as easily (unless you’re sitting down!)
But honestly, the biggest factor isn’t breed – it’s how well-trained your dog is. As animal trainer Kirstin McMillan points out, “Some dogs have been trained to do greetings more politely and have just done more greetings, so regardless of what they’re detecting, they’re going to seem like they don’t care.”
The Tampon Problem (Gross But Important!)
OK, let’s talk about something kinda icky but super important – dogs and tampons. Many dogs are strangely attracted to used tampons and will fish them out of trash cans if given the chance.
This isn’t just disgusting – it’s actually dangerous! If your dog swallows a tampon, it can cause a potentially fatal blockage, especially if the tampon hasn’t been torn apart first. The string can also get entangled in their intestines.
McMillan warns, “If you have a Houdini, you need a locked lidded trash can, but it’s not that big of a deal.” Better safe than sorry – keep those bathroom trash cans securely covered!
Why Your Dog Might Get Extra Cuddly During Your Period
Have you noticed your dog wanting to lay on you more when you’re menstruating? There’s a sweet explanation for this behavior.
Dogs look at their human owners as parental figures, and they’re incredibly attuned to our physical and emotional states. When they detect a physiological change in you due to menstruation, it might make them feel anxious or concerned for your wellbeing.
So when your pup is suddenly extra snuggly during your period, they might just be trying to comfort you because they sense something’s different. How sweet is that?
The Humping Issue (Yeah, It Happens)
This is awkward to talk about, but many women report that their male dogs try to hump them more frequently during their periods. What’s that about?!
The theory is that the pheromones produced during menstruation might be somewhat similar to those produced by female dogs in heat. This doesn’t mean your dog is sexually attracted to you – it’s just a confusing hormonal signal for them.
If your female dog becomes more aggressive when you’re on your period, it could be classic threat-based behavior. Female dogs can be aggressive toward younger female dogs that are ovulating, and this behavior might extend to human women too.
How To Stop The Crotch-Sniffing Behavior
If your dog’s period-sensing abilities are becoming a problem (especially when you have guests over!), here are some practical tips to stop the crotch-sniffing:
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The palm method: Stand up and extend your palm sideways to the dog (not in a “stop” gesture). Let them sniff your palm instead of your crotch.
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Reward alternative behavior: When your dog sniffs your palm instead of your crotch, reward them with praise and treats.
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For guests: Ask them to gently palm the dog’s nose away from their crotch area.
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Distraction technique: Step in and distract your dog with something more interesting when they start showing too much interest in crotch areas.
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Teach incompatible behaviors: As Mornement suggests, “If your dog is a crotch sniffer and you’re embarrassed by it, teach them an incompatible behavior, such as sitting calmly. Use treats to reward your dog for sitting when other people are nearby.”
Scientific Evidence & Studies
While there aren’t many specific studies on dogs detecting women’s periods, there is some related research that’s pretty convincing.
Professor Stanley Coren, author of “How Dogs Think,” describes a fascinating study involving Australian Shepherd dogs and cows. The dogs were trained to detect whether cows had recently ovulated, and they were incredibly successful at it! This helped farmers predict ovulation and improve their breeding processes.
While no similar studies have been done with humans, it’s reasonable to assume dogs could detect similar hormonal changes in women.
FAQ: Your Period + Your Pup
Is it safe for my dog to be around me when I’m menstruating?
Absolutely! There’s no harm in having your dog around you during your period. Many women actually find their dog’s company comforting during this time.
Why does my dog become more affectionate when I’m on my period?
Dogs are highly empathetic animals that can sense when you might need extra support. They may become more affectionate to provide comfort during what they sense is a different physiological state.
Can my dog detect when I’m ovulating too?
Probably! Given their amazing sense of smell and ability to detect subtle hormonal changes, it’s likely dogs can sense ovulation as well as menstruation.
Should I be concerned if my dog acts differently during my period?
Usually not. Most behavioral changes are normal responses to the different scents and hormones they detect. However, if your dog’s behavior seems extremely unusual or concerning, consult with a vet.
Can I train my dog not to sniff crotches during periods?
Yes! With consistent training using the palm method and positive reinforcement, most dogs can learn more appropriate greeting behaviors.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it – dogs absolutely CAN sense when you’re on your period, thanks to their incredible sense of smell and ability to detect pheromones. While it might be embarrassing when they get a little too interested in your crotch area (especially around other people!), remember that they’re just using their natural information-gathering abilities.
I’ve personally noticed my own dog getting extra cuddly during that time of month, and now I understand he’s probably just trying to comfort me. It’s actually kinda sweet when you think about it!
If your dog’s period-detecting behavior becomes problematic, try the training techniques I’ve suggested. With some patience and consistency, you can teach your pup better manners while still appreciating their amazing sensory abilities.
Have you noticed your dog acting differently when you’re on your period? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!
Can cats tell when you’re on your period?
Fluffy, of course, also has to be part of the conversation. In addition to sounds, cats decipher and become conscious of the world through scents, much like your pooches. While their olfactory sense isnt as strong as dogs, they’re still relatively “heavy-duty” because cats can smell 14 times more than humans. This makes up for their weak sense of taste and visual acuity (they can see 10 times less than people, although they can see better in the dark).
But in contrast to dogs, who tend to be all over you when youre menstruating (and sometimes, when you arent), cats behave in a much different way. Cat behaviorist Dr. Mikel Maria Delgado was perhaps answering the question “How do cats act when youre on your period?” when she explained that even if cats smell your menstrual odors, they cant care less, especially if youre their human or if they know you somehow. Although you may not smell the same to them during a certain period, they can still use their other senses to identify you, so they don’t get all panicky that you may be someone else.
And just like dogs, felines absolutely have no idea about what your menstruation is or why youre experiencing your slew of PMS symptoms. So when you notice them coming up to you when youre on your period, theyre not exactly cozying up to comfort you as dogs would. Most likely, theyre the ones getting snuggles off you.
Can Fido figure you out?
So, can dogs tell when youre on your period? Isnt it that when Auntie Flo comes visiting, you just feel as if your beloved pup is especially on the alert. How often is it that, whenever you have your period and a friend comes along with her furbaby, the former just seems to zero in on you to sniff out your nether regions.
Perhaps youre wondering if it has to do with your heavy flow. Or maybe, you have a leak and its gone past the “safety zone” of your pad or tampon and onto your undies. Whatever the reason, you feel like dogs just know.
According to Dr. Kate Mornement, a PhD-qualified Applied Animal Behaviourist and Consultant, “Dogs are scent-driven creatures” and “experience their world predominantly through their sense of smell. So when a woman is on her period, she probably just smells different, which is interesting to the dog.”
And it isnt just the blood that dogs can smell a mile away. During our period, we also release pheromones, chemicals that attract the opposite sex. We dont intentionally do this, of course. Our feminine makeup is biologically wired to make us attractive for possible mating, which is, of course, what ovulation preps us for. These feminine odors are what canines can detect.
Their sense of smell is so sophisticated that dogs find employment as drug busters, bed bug detectors, and even as competent allies in forensic investigations. The reason for this is that dogs noses are equipped with—get this—300 million special receptors. In addition, a portion of their brains is dedicated to processing scents, which makes their sense of smell 40 times more powerful than ours.
So, yes, dogs know when were having our red-letter days. However, they dont know that what they smell is called menstruation. All they can figure out is that you smell differently and deserve some special inspection.