Shutterstock

Dogs are highly intuitive and sensitive to their surroundings. They can sense when their person is sad or stressed and may even pick up on tension in the household. Some believe dogs can predict when someone will die or even see spirits. Beyond these mystical claims, dogs can detect subtle changes in the environment and the people around them. Here are some amazing things dogs can sense, thanks to their keen instincts and heightened senses, for reasons we’re only beginning to understand.

Earthquakes

Shutterstock

Records as far back as ancient Greece tell of dogs fleeing the city of Helice before a tragic earthquake. China also has stories of dogs showing signs of distress before seismic activity. Although dogs are very aware of their surroundings, some scientists argue that a dog’s hearing is so perceptive that they can hear rocks crumbling under the ground surface. Some seismologists think that the dogs feel seismic activity through their paws. Either way, if a dog in an earthquake-prone area begins to act odd, the behavior change shouldn’t be ignored.

Storms

Shutterstock

Just like with earthquakes, dogs can sense something on the horizon. Storms create an electromagnetic force that dogs can feel before the storm hits. Dogs also use their amazing sense of hearing and can possibly hear the thunder rumble from several miles away. Their olfactory senses are about 100 times more sensitive than a human’s and most likely can smell the electrical current in the air. Their olfactory senses are about 100 times more sensitive than a human’s, and they most likely can smell the electrical current in the air.

Illness (Including Cancer)

Shutterstock

Humans give off faint odors of illness, such as certain cancers and diabetes. It’s too subtle for another human to detect, but with the dog’s amazing sense of smell, they may sniff out something that may be off.  A doctor’s trip should be in order if a dog is obsessively sniffing a particular area on the owner’s body.

Seizures

Shutterstock

Some dogs are specifically trained to be seizure-alert dogs. These dogs are taught to alert their owners before an impending seizure. Sometimes they even lie on top of their owners during the seizure and summon help when possible. Not all dogs are actually trained to recognize the signs of an impending seizure. They instinctively know what will happen, but no one knows how a dog senses this.

Labor

Shutterstock

There have been documented reports of dogs predicting the onset of labor in pregnant women. Warning signals include dogs becoming virtual shadows of their pregnant owners the day before or the day of the onset of labor. Guesses as to how these dogs know to prepare for the new bundle of joy range from sensing the physical transition of the pregnancy to the woman giving off a “labor scent.”

Furry Fortune Tellers: How Dogs Sense The Future

Shutterstock

Dogs possess an extraordinary ability to sense things long before they happen, from approaching storms to changes in human health and even pregnancies. Their heightened senses and deep bond with humans make them exceptional companions who can provide early warnings and emotional support in times of need. Whether it’s detecting a drop in barometric pressure, sensing illness through subtle changes in scent, or picking up on the hormonal shifts of pregnancy, dogs continue to amaze us with their intuitive nature.

The post 5 Incredible Things Dogs Can Sense Before They Happen appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.