{"id":878,"date":"2019-06-20T16:21:35","date_gmt":"2019-06-20T20:21:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beverlyhillsvets.com\/blog\/?p=878"},"modified":"2019-06-20T16:21:35","modified_gmt":"2019-06-20T20:21:35","slug":"dog-nose-slits-the-secret-of-the-canine-superpower","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beverlyhillsvets.com\/blog\/dog-nose-slits-the-secret-of-the-canine-superpower\/","title":{"rendered":"Dog Nose Slits: The Secret of the Canine Superpower"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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We all know that dogs have many wonderful qualities, not the least of which is an incredible sense of smell. Scientists estimate that dogs can smell anywhere from 10,000-100,000 times better than humans. According to one expert, this is like being able to sniff out one rotten apple amongst 2 million barrels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs can process around 30,000-100,000 different odors in comparison to our measly 4,000-10,000, and the amount of brain power given over to scent is 40 times greater than that of humans. This gives dogs the ability to detect drugs, explosives, currency, illegally imported food and plant material, bedbugs, missing people, cancer, cadavers, low blood sugar<\/a>, and so much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve ever wondered what makes a dog\u2019s nose so special, the team at Beverly Hills Veterinary Associates<\/a> has the answer \u2013 dog nose slits!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Anatomy of a Dog Nose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When a dog inhales, a fold of tissue just inside the nostril directs the air on two distinct pathways. One path takes the majority of the air into the lungs, while a smaller amount (about 12 percent) is shunted into an area in the back of the nose dedicated to scent analysis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once there, the air circulates through a series of bony structures called \u201cturbinates.\u201d Turbinates are lines with olfactory sensors that sift through the various odor molecules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Role of Dog Nose Slits <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s when dogs exhale that dog nose slits perform their critical function. Rather than just releasing spent air like human noses do, those cute little slits on each side of a dog\u2019s nose swirl exhaled air in such a way that it helps to usher in new air. As a result, dogs are essentially able to breath and smell continuously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun and Games<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some breeds have better sniffers than others, but all dogs have amazing noses. You can help <\/a>your super sniffer become even better at odor detection while still having fun and stimulating their brain<\/a>. Consider the following nose work games:<\/p>\n\n\n\n