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Why do dogs kick when you scratch their belly?
If you’ve got a dog that loves belly rubs, as many of us do, than you’ve no doubt found “the sweet spot” that gets his leg kicking. This usually happens when you scratch him in his saddle region – the belly, sides, and parts of the dog’s back. The exact spot varies depending on the dog. Some dogs have several spots that get their legs moving.
Dogs kick their legs when you hit that sweet spot due to something known as the scratch reflex, an involuntary reaction. Much in the same way the wind or a bug might irritate his skin, causing him to flinch or scratch, when you hit this particular spot on your dog’s belly (or back, sides, etc) you’re both causing the itch and simultaneously scratching it. But, it still feels incredibly good to your dog, so keep it up!
The scratch reflex isn’t just a funny party trick for your dog, either. In fact, veterinarians can use the spot to identify nerve damage or neurological problems. The belly rub kick can be compared to the knee-jerk that humans do when the doctor taps just below your knee with a hammer, or how cats automatically raise their bottoms when you scratch the base of their tail.
What other odd behaviors does your dog exhibit? Let us know in a comment below and we’ll explain!
In the meantime, since you clearly love learning about dogs and some of their odd ancestral behaviors, check out these 25 ancient dog breeds that may have contributed to your dog’s wacky habits before going extinct!
