3 Hidden Dog Senses You Didn’t Know About (Explained for Pet Parents)
Description:
Discover the 3 hidden senses dogs have beyond the basic five. Learn how interoception, vestibular awareness, and proprioception affect your dog’s behavior and well-being.
Introduction: What Are Hidden Dog Senses?
Most of us know dogs experience the world through smell, sight, hearing, taste, and touch. But dogs also rely on three lesser-known sensory systems that help them feel, move, and react in ways we often overlook. These “hidden senses” are essential for understanding your dog’s behavior and improving training, health, and quality of life.
1. Interoception – How Dogs Feel Their Own Bodies
Interoception is the internal sense that helps dogs know what’s happening inside their bodies—such as hunger, thirst, needing to relieve themselves, or stress. This system sends internal signals to the brain so a dog recognizes physical needs and internal states.
Why It Matters:
▪ Helps with potty training
▪ Explains why dogs may not show obvious signs of discomfort
▪ Can influence eating patterns and stress behavior
Dogs with weaker interoceptive awareness may struggle with body cues, making training or routine tasks more challenging.
2. Vestibular Sense – Balance and Spatial Orientation
The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, keeps dogs balanced and coordinated. It helps them stand steady, walk straight, and make precise movements—especially during activities like running or turning quickly.
Signs of a Healthy Vestibular System:
▪ Quick adjustments during turns
▪ Steady walking on uneven surfaces
▪ Balanced head positioning
Issues with the vestibular system can lead to dizziness, loss of coordination, and unusual movement behavior, so understanding this sense helps spot early signs of health problems.
3. Proprioception – Knowing Body Position and Movement
Proprioception connects muscles and joints to the brain, enabling dogs to coordinate force, direction, and balance during movement. Basically, this sense helps dogs know where their limbs are without looking at them.
Everyday Examples:
▪ Catching a ball
▪ Jumping into the car
▪ Adjusting gait on slippery floors
Good proprioceptive awareness makes dogs more confident and agile. Dogs with proprioceptive deficits may seem clumsy or unsure when moving.
Why Understanding These Hidden Senses Matters
Recognizing these hidden senses can:
✔ Improve training results.
✔ Help interpret unusual behaviors.
✔ Support early detection of sensory dysfunction.
✔ Strengthen your bond by responding more empathetically to your dog’s needs.
Understanding how dogs experience the world beyond the basic five senses helps pet parents become more attentive, patient, and effective caregivers.
Conclusion
Dogs have more than just the five senses we learn in school. Their internal body awareness (interoception), balance systems (vestibular), and body-position sense (proprioception) play a huge role in how they behave and interact with the world. By appreciating these hidden senses, you can deepen your connection with your dog and help them live a happier, healthier life.