Frequently Asked Questions
This page will include a variety of questions that are commonly asked by many people. Reason why they are placed here is because the answer is short and most likely not enough content to make a sole page for that topic. This page is set up as any other FAQ page with question preceding the answer.
1. Can dogs see in color?
In a sense they can, just not in the same way humans can. Dogs still have both cone and rod cells lining their inner eye; rod cells detect light and cone cells distinguish color. Being that they don't have the same number or type of cone cells humans have they don't view the world as we do. It is hypothesized that they cannot distinguish colors such as red, orange, and yellow but can make distinctions between blues, purples and grays. Dogs are also able to see better in the dark as compared to humans due to the ratio of rod-cone cells in their eyes.
2. Why do dogs spin when they are about to lay down?
This is actually an action carried on from dog's wild counterparts. In the wild, canines will spin in circles around the desired resting area to make sure that there aren't any rock or objects that may make that place uncomfortable. While many dogs today may have a nice comfy bed, it still is a behavior that may come in handy occasionally.
3. Why do dogs lick their teeth when preparing to bite?
When a dog is getting ready to bite you may sometimes notice that their tounge comes in and out almost as if they were licking their lips. It was once brought to my attention that this is done in order to lubricate their teeth. On occasions the dog may need to bite several times to get an effective grip or wound on the target, to do this effeciently they lubricate their teeth with saliva. Once again this may be related to the canine ancestors who would have needed to bite large prey several times to kill it or bring it down. On the occasions that the aggression is more fear based, the licking behavior can also be an appeasment sign.
4. Why do dogs eat grass?
The exact reason why dogs eat grass is unknown. However it is theorized that dogs will eat grass to help keep their digestive track in top shape. Because the cellulose from the grass isn't easily digested, the GI track has to work all the harder to try and break it down. This extra effort keeps the digestive track working smoothly. The stimulation can be compared to a workout, and helps prevent atrophy. To illustrate it lets think about astronauts, when up in space they have to work out to make sure that their muscles don't go through atrophy because of the lack of use. Even though eating regular food may still make the GI track work, it doesn't provide the same stimulation as cellulose containing plants. It is also said that dogs eat grass to help vomit, this may be true seeing how the undigestable material usually irritates the linning of the GI track and may cause some dogs to empty their stomachs.
5. Why do dogs scratch at the ground after going to the bathroom?
Many dogs do this in order to leave a sign for other dogs to see. A good way to look at it is that dogs scratch the ground in order to leave an arrow pointing to where they just left their scent, this is so other dogs will know where their scent is.
-Steven L.
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