Ever feel like your dog is extra clingy during your time of the month? You’re not imagining it. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell and emotional awareness, so yes, they can tell when you’re on your period. But that’s just the beginning. From detecting pregnancy to predicting illness, here are some weird and wonderful ways your dog might know more about you than you think.
Your Dog Knows More Than You Think
That look your dog gives you when you’re curled up on the couch? They know something’s up.
Dogs aren’t just loyal companions. They’re extremely perceptive. Whether it’s your scent, energy, tone of voice or daily routine, your dog is constantly picking up clues about how you’re feeling and what’s going on with your body. Dogs have even been trained to detect medical conditions like low blood sugar and early signs of cancer. So it’s no surprise they can pick up on more everyday changes too.
Let’s take a look at some of the surprising things your dog can sense about you.
Can Dogs Sense Periods?
Yes, they definitely can.
Dogs have up to 300 million scent receptors in their noses. Humans only have about six million. Their sense of smell is so powerful that they can detect small changes in hormones like estrogen and progesterone during your cycle.
When you’re on your period, your body releases different chemicals and pheromones. Your dog can smell these changes and may react to them. Some dogs become extra cuddly, others may be more protective, and some just want to stay close by your side. So if your dog seems to “just know” when you're not feeling your best, they probably do.
Can They Smell Pregnancy Too?
Yes, dogs can often tell before you can.
Pregnancy brings another big shift in hormones and body chemistry, and that comes with subtle changes to your scent and body temperature. Dogs are quick to notice.
Many women report their dogs becoming more clingy, attentive or even anxious during the early stages of pregnancy. Some dogs might lie close to your belly, follow you from room to room or seem more alert than usual. It’s all part of how tuned in they are to the people they love.
Dogs Can Detect Illness and Disease
This isn’t just anecdotal. It’s backed by science.
Dogs have been trained to detect cancer, migraines, seizures, and blood sugar changes. They do it all through their sense of smell. But even untrained dogs can sometimes tell when something’s not quite right.
If your dog is suddenly sniffing a particular part of your body, acting restless around you, or refusing to leave your side, they could be picking up on something subtle that you haven’t noticed yet. There have been real cases where a dog’s behaviour has led their owner to discover a health issue early.
Do They Know When You’re Sad?
Yes, dogs are great emotional readers.
Research shows dogs can recognise facial expressions and match them with tone of voice to understand how you're feeling. If you’re sad, anxious or crying, many dogs will try to comfort you. They might rest their head on your lap, bring you their favourite toy, or just sit quietly next to you.
Some dogs even lick away tears or nuzzle into you for support. It’s their way of showing love and empathy. They don’t need words to know when something’s wrong.
What About Embarrassing Habits?
They see everything.
Yes, your dog follows you into the bathroom. Yes, they’ve probably seen you raid the fridge at midnight or cry at reality TV. Dogs are curious, and they like being around you no matter what you're doing.
The good news is they don’t judge you. They simply want to be near you, especially during your most vulnerable moments. That’s loyalty in its purest form.
Final Thoughts
Your dog is more than just a pet. They’re a built-in emotional support system with an incredible ability to tune into your physical and emotional state. Whether you're feeling unwell, hormonal or just having an off day, your dog is already picking up on it. And they’re right there with a wagging tail, ready to help in the only way they know how.
That’s just one more reason why dogs really are our best friends.
