Sure, dogs blowing bubbles are adorable! Every video of a dog blowing bubbles in the water has undoubtedly shaken the internet, but does it mean something is wrong with your dog?
At first glance, it may appear to be a funny and quirky thing for your dog to do, and most of the time, it is. There is no harm in blowing bubbles in the water; in fact, many dogs do it! However, you should be aware that dogs blowing bubbles in the water can mean many things. In today’s article, we’ll go over all the possible reasons your dog is blowing bubbles in water.
Let’s begin with the more light-hearted reasons.
Why does my dog blow bubbles in her water?
Dogs blow bubbles in their water naturally, for fun, boredom, simulate swimming, curiosity, over-heating, hygiene, big bowl, infection, pain and neurological disorders.
Natural reaction
When a dog’s nose goes underwater, it releases air to keep the water out. Your dog blowing bubbles in a water bowl could be a natural reaction to keep the water out of their nose.
Fun!
Blowing bubbles could be fun for them! Many dogs blow bubbles into their water bowls as a form of entertainment. They might also blow bubbles if they know that it excites you.
Boredom
Your dog may be bored from being cooped up inside the house all day and is looking for ways to entertain themselves. While blowing bubbles is not harmful, there are better (and safer!) ways to entertain your dog. You can provide enrichment activities to relieve stress, give them some control over their surroundings, and keep them occupied in a constructive, non-destructive way.
Simulate the sensation of swimming
This is noticeable in dogs frequently taken to the beach or pool. Your dog could be simulating the sensation of swimming. When dogs go swimming, they will instinctively blow air out of their nose to avoid inhaling water. Your dog may be missing the feel of water and mimicking this action by blowing bubbles into their water bowl.
Curiosity
Your dog may be intrigued by the tiny bubbles produced naturally by breathing, so they repeatedly blow bubbles to learn more. This is especially noticeable in puppies, who are extremely curious about everything!
Too hot!
Dogs sweat in a different way than humans do. They sweat primarily through the glands in their paw pads, but this plays only a minor role in cooling them down. Instead, your dog can regulate their body temperature by panting or taking a swim.
Clean themselves
Some dogs clean their noses by blowing bubbles in the water, especially if they played outside in the dirt all day. This is especially true for dogs that like to dig and sniff around the ground a lot.
Water bowl is too deep
This is prominent in dogs with smaller noses, such as pugs and bulldogs. Water may be getting into their noses if they have deeper water bowls, which is why they are repeatedly blowing bubbles to keep the water out. If this is the case, I recommend that you replace your dog’s water bowl with one more suitable for their nose size.
Now, let’s look at some of the more serious reasons why your dog might be blowing bubbles in her water bowl.
Infection
Your dog may have an infection of some sort. Check to see if your dog’s bubbles appear only when its nose is in the water. If bubbles or discharge appear even when your dog’s nose is out of the water, they may have an infection preventing proper breathing.
This is common in dogs with Brachycephalic Syndrome. Pugs and bulldogs, and other breeds with shortened heads and pushed-in faces are examples of dogs who suffer from this more frequently.
Pain
Your dog may do strange things like play with their food and water to distract themselves from the pain they are experiencing. There is a chance your dog has been infected by fleas or ticks and has become very irritable. To learn more, check out my article on the best natural ways to keep fleas and ticks off a dog.
Neurological Disorder
This is possibly the most dangerous reason your dog is blowing bubbles in their water bowl. Your dog may have damaged a portion of its brain or developed a tumor. Neurological disorders can be fatal to your dog, so take them to the vet if you notice them frequently blowing bubbles in their bowl while not drinking anything.
You should also watch your dog to see if they are exhibiting any other symptoms of a neurological disorder, such as balance problems, seizures, strange eye movements, or a change in eating habits.
Conclusion
Watching a dog blowing bubbles in its water bowl may be amusing to us, but it could be a sign of something more serious. If you notice your dog blowing bubbles in their water bowl regularly, take them to the vet. While there is nothing to be concerned about most of the time, it is still better to keep our furry friends safe!
