12 Things Dogs Smell That Humans Can’t

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Ever wondered why your dog gives you that curious sniff and stare? It’s because dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell. While we might catch a whiff of our morning coffee or a blooming flower, dogs can detect a whole world of scents invisible to us.

Fun fact: Dogs’ noses are up to 100,000 times more sensitive than humans. This incredible olfactory ability enables them to pick up on things we couldn’t even dream of sensing, like the passage of time.

Dogs’ noses aren’t just for finding that lost slice of pizza under the couch; they play crucial roles in various fields, from medical diagnostics to law enforcement. Check out these things that dogs can smell that humans can’t.

1. Emotions

Dogs can literally smell your feelings. When you’re happy, sad, anxious, or scared, your body releases specific chemicals and pheromones that dogs can detect. Their heightened sense of smell allows them to pick up on these emotional cues.

Often, they perceive them even before you are consciously aware of your own feelings. This is why your dog might snuggle up to you when you’re feeling down or get excited when you’re in a joyous mood.

2. Drugs

Drug-sniffing dogs are a common sight in airports, train stations, and other high-security areas. Trained to detect specific chemical compounds found in illegal substances, these canine officers play a crucial role in law enforcement.

Dogs can identify a wide range of drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, with astonishing accuracy.

3. Epilepsy

Some dogs have a nose for predicting epileptic seizures before they even strike, thanks to their super-sniffing skills. These “seizure-alert” pups can catch a whiff of their owner’s impending seizure with precision.

They pick up on scent shifts or behavioral changes. They are trained to alert their owners by barking, pawing, or performing another specific action when they sense an impending seizure.

4. People

Dogs are experts at tracking down missing persons, whether it’s a lost child in the woods or a suspect on the run. Their keen sense of smell allows them to follow a person’s scent trail, even if it’s days old.

Search and rescue dogs are trained to pick up on the unique combination of skin cells, sweat, and other bodily odors that humans constantly emit. They can also differentiate between individual scents, making it possible for them to identify specific people in a crowd.

5. Some Types of Cancers

Believe it or not, dogs can sniff out certain types of cancer with impressive accuracy. Trained medical detection dogs can identify the scent of cancerous cells in breath, urine, or blood samples.

Studies have shown that dogs can distinguish cancers such as breast, lung, and ovarian cancer, often at very early stages when treatment is most effective.

6. Guns

Police and military dogs are often trained to detect firearms and ammunition. Their powerful noses can recognize the distinct scents of gunpowder and other chemicals associated with weapons.

This ability makes them invaluable in security operations. This talent now helps to prevent violent crimes and maintain public safety, especially in places such as malls.

7. Bedbugs

The one thing everybody hates is bed bugs. Isn’t it great that a man’s best friend can now be used to detect a man’s worst (allegedly) enemy?

Bedbug detection dogs are a relatively new but highly effective tool in pest control. These specially trained dogs can sniff out bedbugs with great accuracy, even in the most hidden and hard-to-reach places.

8. Bombs

Bomb-sniffing dogs are a crucial asset in preventing terrorist attacks and ensuring public safety. Like guns, these highly trained dogs can discern the specific chemical compounds found in explosives, such as TNT and C-4.

Their keen sense of smell allows them to identify even trace amounts of these substances, making them an essential part of security teams.

9. Ovulation and Pregnancy

Sometimes, your pregnancy test tells you you’re pregnant; other times, your dog does. Dogs can recognize hormonal changes that occur during ovulation and pregnancy. Dogs can detect pheromones and hormonal changes in women who are ovulating or pregnant.

This unique skill has led to the development of “fertility detection” dogs, which can help couples trying to conceive by indicating when a woman is ovulating.

10. Changes in Weather Conditions

Have you ever noticed your dog acting strangely before a storm? Dogs can detect changes in barometric pressure and humidity, allowing them to sense impending weather changes.

Their heightened sense of smell also enables them to notice rain or other environmental changes that precede a storm. We have the weather channel; dogs have their noses. 

11. Blood Glucose Levels

Diabetes alert dogs are trained to detect changes in their owner’s blood glucose levels. These dogs can pick up on the scent of chemical changes in the body that occur when blood sugar levels are too high or too low.

They alert their owners by performing specific actions, such as pawing, barking, or fetching a medical kit.

12. Computer Hardware

It may sound bizarre, but some dogs are trained to detect electronic storage devices, such as hard drives and USB sticks. These “electronic-sniffing” dogs are used in law enforcement to uncover hidden devices during investigations.

Their sense of smell allows them to recognize the unique chemical compounds found in electronic components.

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