Why do dogs kick when their bellies are scratched?

Why do dogs kick when their bellies are scratched?


Dogs can kick your legs may not be controlled

Maybe we will find that such an interesting phenomenon is that when we help the dog scratch the belly, we touch a certain position, and they will involuntarily move or kick their legs. The owner thinks that this phenomenon is very interesting, and it is even more force when scratching. Dogs show such behavior really feel comfortable, or is it an instinctual response.

The reason why the dog has such a reaction is because the dog's belly is called "Sweet Spot", which is in the dog's abdomen or near the abdomen. When we scratch the dog, their legs will be Involuntarily moved involuntarily. Most owners can find this position well after many experiments. So when you are bored, you will scratch it and feel that this is a very interesting thing.

Indeed, the dog looks very interesting when it is doing such a movement. In fact, it is a self -protection mechanism called "scratching reflection", a conditional reflection that cannot be controlled by self -control. The reason why the dog has this protection mechanism is to stay away from dangerous bugs and stimuli. In some areas below the dog skin, there are several neural pathways connected to the spinal cord. When these nerves are activated, they will quickly send signals to the spinal cord whether they are scratching or tickling, and the spinal cord will cause a jet reaction. For some dogs, if the scratching feels stronger, the response of the sweaty skirting will be more obvious.

Why do dogs kick when their bellies are scratched?
If the dog kicks your legs, you can touch it in a place

The veterinarian and animal behavior experts of Texas Veterinary Behavior Agency Lore Haug said that "dog responses with allergies are particularly obvious, and it is easy to cause scratching reflexes, because these dogs are almost itchy," "but the more friction, the more friction The stronger their skin, the stronger the scratching. "HAUG said that scratching reflexes are a mechanism for animals to protect themselves from physical stimulus, especially to help animal principles that may carry disease invasion insects. For example, if a dog has lice on the skin of a dog, the itching of these lice will activate the scratching reflection. Maybe kicking your legs can throw some lice and relieve the source of itching.

This reflection is similar to the reflexes seen in humans, and the reflection on our body is generally used to protect ourselves. "For example, we accidentally encountered a hot stove. Before the brain discovered pain, the spinal cord first recognized the pain, so that you would unconsciously shrink back," HAUG said. "If the brain really realizes that there is any way, there is something in the brain. Dangerous, the time difference between the reaction is enough to hurt you, and sometimes it will even kill you. "Scratching reflection can help doctors judge whether pets are damaged by nerve, just like doctors test our knee jump reflection. In addition, because this reflection is to remove the worms that hate on the body. If the dog responds a lot, it may not be because they like us.

If dogs feel comfortable, they often perform calmly. For example, when we touch their belly, they will not have resistance, and they enjoy themselves, and some dogs will narrow their eyes. If the dog responds to a large response, we better change to touch the dog to avoid discomfort.