Dogs love routines and consistency, but they can get bored from time to time. They need mental and physical stimulation to lead happy, healthy lives, so if they start to show signs of boredom, it might be time for a change in their diet.

Dogs’ dietary requirements vary widely by age, gender, nursing status, activity level, environment and underlying disease. When changing your dog’s food, consult with a veterinarian first.

They have fewer taste buds than humans

Humans have around 9,000 taste buds on their tongues, while dogs only have around 1,700. That’s a huge difference, and it means your dog isn’t as likely to get bored easily.

You might be surprised to learn that despite their lack of taste buds, dogs have receptors for all of the same flavors as humans, including sweet, salty, bitter, and umami (savory). They also have a special taste bud that’s fine-tuned for water, just like cats and other carnivores.

They’ve also been shown to have fewer salt receptors than humans, which may be due to their ancestors’ meat-based diet being naturally high in salt. This may have made it less palatable to them, so they were able to resist the temptation to consume excess salt.

They don’t get bored

Dogs are creatures of habit, and their daily routine is usually very simple. They go for a walk, eat their meals, play with toys and snuggle in bed at night.

But just like humans, dogs need mental and physical stimulation to keep them healthy. Without it, they can become bored and restless.

To combat boredom, consider adding a variety of games to your pup’s schedule. These can include puzzles, brain games and toys that stimulate their noses or minds.

In the meantime, be sure they have plenty of exercise, too. This will prevent them from getting bored and destructive.

If you’re worried your dog may be bored, talk to a certified dog behavior consultant or a vet. These experts can help you determine the best strategy for dealing with the problem and preventing it from occurring again.

They don’t have allergies

We know dogs are a huge part of our lives, and we love them for their unconditional love and loyalty. But they can also cause allergies, especially if you’re allergic to dog dander (dead skin cells).

All dogs make a series of proteins called allergens that can trigger sneezing, itching, and watery eyes. The most common is Can f 1, which can show up in dog saliva, urine, and dead skin debris called dander.

But the allergy-causing proteins vary among different breeds, and they can’t be predicted from breed alone.

This is why you’ll want to spend time with a dog before bringing it home, and make sure it’s a good match for you. That might mean trialing a few dogs until you find one that doesn’t bother you.

They’re not fussy

Dogs aren’t fussy – they will happily eat their favourite food every day. They also enjoy a consistent meal routine, which they find very comforting.

They will wag their tails when they see their bowls because they know they are going to get a tasty meal and want to show you that they appreciate it!

Despite this, many dogs still struggle to eat a certain type of food. In some cases, their health may be a reason why they are picky – this is usually an issue that should be addressed by their vet before anything else can be done.

In other cases, it’s just a matter of changing their diet. Swapping their food too often can result in them becoming more picky – so it’s best to gradually transition them to new foods over the course of a week.