Dearly as we may love our canine companion and 4-legged fur baby, sometimes their habits and life choices do leave us wondering ‘why?’. Prime examples have to include devouring goose poop with gusto or roadkill with relish.

But worst of all has to be the penchant for rolling in revolting, smelly nasties. And being so pleased with themselves afterwards. Because, let’s face it, when it comes to alluring aromas, dogs have very different ideas to us humans about what constitutes ‘alluring’. Unless you are a human who’s particularly fond of ‘Eau de Fox’, ‘Dead Fish Delight ‘ or ‘Seaweed Stinkerbell’.

Why do dogs roll in smelly things?

• Finding their way back to a food source: wild canines might roll in a scent to mark the location of a food source. And help them return to it with the thirst of the pack.
• Masking their own scent: in preparation for the hunt.
• A canine calling card: letting their canine counterparts know who’s been passing that way.
• Relieving an itch: the smell is collateral damage, or an added bonus, depending on your point of view and sense of smell.
• Or maybe it’s just fun! Let’s face it. Dogs love rolling in grass, in bed, on the carpet. So why not introduce an interesting aroma to the pleasure? After all, with a sense of smell 10,000 times better than ours, dogs may have a more discerning nose for distinctive odours. We may be missing a wealth of subtle niceties as we dive for the Febreze.

Things to look out for

Rolling in smelly things may not be harmful. It’s part of normal doggy behaviour. But there are times when giving in to natural temptation may be dangerous:

• Rolling in broken glass or sharp metal fragments: when smells may be the least of the worries.
• Toxic substances: rolling in toxic substances and then licking them off risks poisoning.

What to do if your dog rolls in smelly things

You might try:

• Keeping your dog the lead: It may work, but it’s a bit of a drastic measure to use all the time. 
• Avoiding areas likely to host nasty niffs, like dead fish or poo.
• Training your dog to a sharp command of ‘leave it!’ or ‘Stop!’ and rewarding compliance.

What not to do:

Expect too much! You won’t change your dog’s natural instincts. 

Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and accept the inevitable:

• Invest in some potent anti-smell dog shampoo
• Keep strategically placed buckets of water at the back door or by the car (sharing a confined space with a poop-rolling pooch is nobody’s idea of fun)
• Roll up your sleeves, grab a clothes peg for your nose and get lathering!

When is rolling in things normal?

• Almost always!
• But everything in moderation. Check your dog’s coat and general levels of itchiness if they seem to be rolling more than normal. 

When to worry?

If you think your dog has rolled in something harmful:

• Wash it off as soon as possible, ideally under running water
• Dry them thoroughly 
• Don’t let them lick themselves
• Try to find out what the substance was – a photo may help
• Call your nearest vet

If your dog is rolling and rubbing at their skin more than usual, investigate the possible causes of itch:

• Parasites: fleas, mites and lice – check their coats for clues, treat and prevent parasite problems with regular preventive care. 
• Allergies: seasonal allergies may cause itchy skin.  And rolling in things can also aggravate some allergies. Seek veterinary advice if you think rolling may be caused by or worsening allergies.

The Joii vet team are available 24 hours a day for advice via video call.