Did you know many animals, such as Gorillas, other big apes, and even rats are ticklish? But if rats are ticklish, does this mean dogs are too? Well, the answer is really a little complicated as dogs definitely have sensitive spots that can trigger a playful or funny response. But, this doesn’t mean they are ticklish in the same way that humans are.
In this article, I’ll briefly explain why tickling is a little different in dogs.
Stop Googling - Ask a Real Vet
Content:
Are Dogs Ticklish
Dogs are ticklish in the sense that they are more sensitive to touch on some parts of their body. This is called knismesis (a light tickling or itching sensation on the skin). But unlike humans (and some other animals), they do not experience the more intense gargalesis, which is when the sensation is so intense that humans start laughing uncontrollably.
According to Dr. Christine Harvey, "Knismesis, the response to very light touch, appears to be widespread across many mammals. The reactions of a dog scratching its side at a flea, or a cat flicking its ear at a mite are commonplace”.
In essence, it just means that a dog’s skin is very sensitive, just like most mammals and very light sensations can cause a reaction, but they don’t start laughing hysterically if we tickle their armpits. On the other hand, we do know different involuntary reactions, such as the “scratch response” (thumping back leg), when we scratch the right spots. Most dogs also love having their eyes rubbed.
One other thing to remember is that if you tickle a dog the way you would a child, by making funny noises and being animated, you will probably make them excited. This means they may get the zoomies and want to play. The response is more to the pitch of your voice and how you interact with them than a tickle reaction.
Remember that if you want to see your dog’s reactions to different kinds of touch, the Petcube camera can help you keep an eye on them even when you are not there.
Where Are Dogs Ticklish
Dogs often react to light touches on specific areas like their belly, sides, chest, ears, and the base of their tail. These are all spots where they may have more sensitive nerve endings.
But some areas, like their paws, are often sensitive to the touch in a way that many dogs don’t like. Many dog parents (especially if you have a male dog), may have noticed dogs don’t like their paws being handled as much as their ears or belly.
As noted in a Reddit discussion: "Sometimes a dog will seem like it's ticklish because whenever you touch a spot, they may flinch or back away, but in reality, they probably dislike being touched in that area".
FAQs
How to tickle a dog?
It’s difficult to tickle dogs the same way you tickle humans, as dogs don’t have the same reflexive laughter. But dogs have the “scratch reflex” so you can tickle them by scratching or rubbing areas like their belly or ears. Most dogs can’t reach their backs and will enjoy getting a good back scratch from you, or other areas they get at, such as under their collar.
Why is my dog ticklish?
The sensation of knismesis is a light, tickling feeling that dogs experience in response to very light touch. This is an important protective response as it allows dogs to feel potential pests like fleas crawling on their skin and try to scratch them away. This is why dogs are more likely to have a scratch response to some kinds of touch. But they do not have the exact same tickle response that humans do.
Conclusion
In short, dogs can show ticklish-like responses, but it’s more about the fact that their skin is very sensitive to certain kinds of touch, including those that cause the scratch reflex. Other dogs may see you tickling them as a sign of wanting to play and get excited. But remember that not all dogs enjoy being tickled, and their reactions can vary widely.