If your dog returns from the park or the yard covered in grass and smelling to high heaven, you know they rolled in it again.It is not uncommon to see a dog rolling on the grass. If given the chance, many dogs would roll in the grass on a daily basis and they appear to be having a great time doing it.Dogs enjoy rolling around on their backs. Even while you appreciate watching your four-legged bestie in a state of happiness, you can’t help but wonder what they’re covering themself in? Normally, we think this is an itch alleviation strategy or some type of scent marking activity, but there are a few more possibilities.If reading about dogs intrigue you, also take a look at why do dogs drag their butts and why do dogs growl on Kidadl.Why do dogs roll on their backs in the grass?Some dogs may wish to roll in certain odors as an homage to their wolf ancestry. The grass is blanketed in a menu of scents left behind from humans, other animals, poop, and the environment which is fascinating to wolves.When a wolf encounters an uncommon or unique odor, it will frequently roll in it. This is something that a pup does as well. There are two reasons for your dog rolling in the grass. One, by sprinkling a few of their smells on top of the new one, they’re leaving their imprint. Second, they prefer to mask their smell, therefore they may do so by rubbing any other smells over their fur. They can also be checking the source of the smell. If the odor comes from a predator, this might assist the pack to survive. When compared to ours, a dog’s sense of smell is almost a superpower. Scientists think their sense of smell is 10-100,000 times more accurate than ours. Changing the smelling fragrance may be especially appealing to a dog if they have recently been bathed or have been wallowing in a scent they dislike. Unfortunately, they could prefer the smells of rabbit poop over the expensive shampoo you just purchased for them!On the other hand, dogs, of course, have had plenty of time and adaption to make the activity their own, so it’s probable that dogs roll in the grass and other fascinating things for a variety of reasons.Do dogs roll in the grass for relaxation?We’ve all experienced how relaxing it is to get massaged. Tight muscles are relaxed, which feels good and energizing.When a dog rolls on its back on the ground, it arches its body from side to side, massaging its back muscles to relieve it. It might prefer to do this on grass rather than a hard surface. This is simply because it softens the skin sufficiently to make the experience pain-free while remaining firm enough to provide a decent massage effect. Another major possibility is that the pup becomes too excitable and lively. It indicates that your dog is both comfortable and lively. Its stress level is minimal at the time, and it doesn’t have a worry in the world. It’s expressing its happiness to the other animal and humans around it.Again, we can’t be positive because for that we would need to be able to read a dog’s thoughts! But, judging by the goofy, joyful expressions they adopt when rolling in the grass, playfulness may be a factor! If another dog is around, they may be signaling that they want to play. When dogs wrestle with each other, they usually get on their backs, and they may be suggesting that they are up for a play session.It seems some dogs roll in the grass to scratch allergies-related itches, such as one caused by their food or the surroundings. If this is the case, you should take efforts to treat the allergens and reduce any irritation, which should alleviate the rolling. Look for additional indications of allergies, such as redness or irritation on the skin, to determine if this is the case.Do dogs roll in the grass for removing dirt from their bodies?Some animals shed a great deal of hair. It’s likely that when this hair begins to rub out, they feel a little uneasy.Rolling in the grass on their back, particularly in coarse grass, may assist your pet in loosening some of this dead hair and hastening the shedding process. Your dog’s body will bend this way and that, rubbing itself around in the grass. It’s similar to getting a good scrubbing. Your dog may feel cooler and more comfortable once the hair has been wiped off.The dog roll and rub action could also help to ‘freshen up’ its coat by removing everyday dust and filth from its fur.When you observe your pet, wriggling about on its back, rolling in the grass you could think it has fleas. While it is normal to think that your dog rolls in the grass to alleviate an itchy feeling, flea signs are typically quite obvious. A flea-infested dog may gnaw at the base of its tail and scratch the back of its head with its rear foot. Check your dog’s skin to ensure there is nothing aggravating its back. But it’s more normal that it is rolling for other reasons.Is the rolling of dogs and puppies in the grass harmful for them?Rolling in the grass is not dangerous in and of itself.The dog rolling on its back in the grass may also be pleasurable. If the dogs like it and are happy and calm when they roll around, it’s likely that they’re enjoying the experience and that there’s nothing wrong with it. Simply check your canine for flea and tick prevention. Keep an eye out for potential chemical dangers, such as herbicides on grass. Even though there is no unpleasant odor remaining on its coat, this dirty canine may require cleaning after rolling. Take your pets outside on the grass and enjoy the cool weather with them. When taking your dog for a walk, keep in mind their rolling behaviors. Don’t avoid walking just because your dog likes to roll around.Most of the time, scent-rolling is just your dog being a dog, but if they do it more frequently or appear to focus their efforts on one specific body region, then experts agree that it might indicate a skin irritation that needs to be evaluated. Also, a dog that just rolls on its back and stays there may be displaying an ‘inguinal’ display, which is a method of expressing that they are not a threat and that they should not be injured. This is unmistakably a symptom of stress. But shimmying through the grass or whatever stinky scenario is happening on top of a walk is just fine, especially if they’re content and have a happy expression.If you still think it’s a problem, perform some foundational training. Reward-based training can help your dog break the habit of rolling in the grass.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for why do dogs roll in the grass? do you know why they like to roll? then why not take a look at why do birds sit on power lines or why do we have fingernails?
If your dog returns from the park or the yard covered in grass and smelling to high heaven, you know they rolled in it again.
