8 Things Dogs CAN Predict

One of our four-legged friends' most surprising traits is their great sensitivity to the natural world. Dogs have senses far more developed than a human's, which is why they often "know" what's about to happen before we do.

And while they can't tell you which numbers will win the lottery or how your favorite football team will do, there are 8 other things dogs can tip you off about. At Soyunperro.com, we show you what they are. Shall we begin?

Degenerative Diseases Like Cancer

Illnesses tend to cause changes that are often imperceptible to people at a glance. That's not the case for many dog breeds, which, thanks to their great sense of smell, can notice when a body is releasing abnormal chemical particles due to an illness.

Research on this topic goes back to 1989, when a dog detected that a seemingly harmless mole was actually an early-stage melanoma.

Low Blood Sugar Attacks in Diabetics

People with diabetes have a particular breath scent, which also changes depending on their blood sugar level. Believe it or not, there are therapy dogs whose job is to monitor the smell of diabetic patients' breath and alert them if their levels are too low. The goal is to prevent severe blood sugar drops, which often end in a medical emergency.

Seismic Activity and Earthquakes

Many animals become nervous moments before an earthquake occurs. Dogs show restless behavior, pacing back and forth, trying to get outside, or barking for no apparent reason. Some studies claim our furry friends can sense ground movements that are about to happen more than 1,000 kilometers away.

Storms

Why check the weather forecast if you have a dog at home? For one, their hearing is much more sensitive than ours, letting them hear the lightning and thunder of an approaching storm; they can also smell the buildup of ions in the air, which happens as lightning bolts form before striking the ground. Lastly, they sense the excess humidity that precedes any rainfall.

Pregnancy

Thanks to their sense of smell, dogs discover the hormonal changes happening in a woman's body during the early months of pregnancy before anyone else does. A dog's behavior when it knows a family member is expecting a baby is unmistakable.

They tend to spend long stretches by the pregnant woman's side, become more protective, and may even come sniff her more often.

The Moment of Labor

A dog's predictive powers aren't limited to knowing when a woman is pregnant — they'll also suspect when labor is approaching. Some signs of a new family member's arrival include coming up to touch the belly, or following the pregnant woman absolutely everywhere — even into the bathroom!

Fear

"Don't be afraid of dogs, because they can smell it!" You've probably heard this line at some point when trembling in front of a poodle. Believe it or not, this is backed by real science.

In humans, fear raises adrenaline levels, causing us to release pheromones dogs can easily detect. The scent of fear sparks their curiosity, and they're likely to approach or bark.

That Their Favorite Human Is About to Get Home

Many dogs can tell you're about to arrive home thanks to a combination of hearing and smell. Their sensitive hearing lets them detect someone in the elevator or walking on the sidewalk outside, while their nose recognizes your particular scent, since it's stored in their brain under the label "my best friend." With these signals, they'll become anxious and excited for the reunion. A few joyful barks and a wagging tail will give away their happiness.

Many dogs also have a special sensitivity and can tell if you're about to leave them alone for a long stretch. Remember, they're used to your regular routine, and an upcoming trip usually means changing your habits. In these moments, they'll seem sad and may find it hard to separate from you.

So, have you ever experienced any of these canine predictions? Do you know of any other ability we haven't mentioned here? Leave us your thoughts in the comments.