Hug Your Dog Day is coming up on April 10th. Our canine pals are quite affectionate, and many of them love to snuggle with their humans. An Eau Claire, WIvet offers some ‘pawesome’ insight on this topic below.
Benefits
Hugging your dog is good for you and Fido. We probably don’t tell you that dogs have a special way of giving us unconditional love and devotion. Your pup just wants to be with you! Snuggling dogs is a great way to show them affection. It can also be very comforting, which can be really helpful for those who are struggling with hard times. Studies have even shown that when you hug your furry bff, a special hormone, oxytocin, is released in you both. This hormone is associated with feeling loved and happy. Life really is better with dogs!
Companion Dogs
There is one group of pooches that typically just loves to snuggle with their humans: companion dogs, or toy breeds. As you may know, many of our canine friends were bred to perform specific tasks, whether that be hunting, herding, or protection. However, many smaller dogs were bred purely as pets and lapdogs. Their jobs were basically to be cute and cuddly. Fido has been knocking those duties out of the park! The list of super-affectionate pups includes the Pomeranian, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Maltese, Pekingese, Chihuahua, Pug, and Havanese. That said, there are also plenty of gentle giants out there, such as the Golden and Labrador Retrievers, and, of course, many mutts.
Paws For Thought
There’s nothing wrong with hugging your own pooch, assuming he likes it. In fact, we hope that many of our furry patients get lots of hugs (and some extra treats and belly rubs) on this special day. However, it’s important to understand that not all dogs enjoy hugs. In fact, hugs translate into a form of dominance to our canine buddies: dogs don’t hug each other to show affection, as we do. You should never hug a strange pooch, or one that seems uneasy. It’s also worth mentioning that there are many, many pups out there who want nothing more than for someone to adopt them and love them. Consider making a donation to an animal shelter or rescue!
Do you have questions about your pet’s health or care? Contact us, your Eau Claire, WI pet hospital, today!
