The Science Behind Why Dogs and Humans Can’t Resist Leaf Piles
LOOK OUT FOR CAVITY CULPRITS AT THE DINNER TABLE! 4 HOLIDAY FOODS THAT CAUSE TOOTH DECAY As you gather around your family’s dinner table for a delicious feast this holiday season, it’s essential to be mindful of the foods you consume and how they can affect your oral health. We know what you’re thinking: “I already know candy, cookies, cakes, and sugary foods and beverages can cause cavities.” While that’s true, you may be surprised by a few other cavity-causing holiday foods on the dinner table.
Whether it’s your boisterous toddler or rowdy pup, a perfect pile of autumn leaves might be too good to resist! You probably remember the days when you also jumped into a crunchy orange leaf pile without a second thought. But why do humans and dogs love jumping into huge piles of leaves?
The main (and most obvious answer) is because it’s fun! For kids, dogs, and even some adults, jumping
and rolling around in the fall leaves is a satisfying form of play that releases energy. While this may be the simple reason for humans, there are a few more reasons your canine companion can’t resist a tower of leaves.
Here are four mealtime favorites you should be aware of.
DIET SODA While diet sodas are slightly better than regular drinks, they can still affect oral health! Sugar-free beverages are just as acidic as regular sodas, and the more you drink these liquids, the more you expose your teeth to cavity-causing elements and unnecessary wear and tear. BREAD The gummy paste that develops in your mouth as you chew bread can get stuck in the crevices of your teeth. If it stays between your teeth, it can cause bacteria to form, which leads to cavities. The same can be said for saltine crackers since the carbohydrates and starches are also broken down into sugar as you chew. MASHED POTATOES Although mashed potatoes are rich in vitamin C and potassium, which can help keep your gums healthy, if you cover them in gravy, the starchy food can become a hot spot for cavities. The high sugar content in most gravies can become cavity-causing as the acids within the liquid can erode tooth enamel. Furthermore, the sticky texture clings to your teeth, leading to more bacteria. DRIED FRUITS Raisins, mangoes, coconut shreds, and other dried fruits are typically considered a healthy snack. However, they are incredibly high in sugar. Because all the fruit’s water content is removed, you need to eat more to feel full. This means you’ll consume more sugar than you normally would, without water content to wash away the pieces sticking to your teeth. We’re not saying you can’t eat and drink these items during the holiday season, but be mindful of how much you eat — it’s all about moderation! After the festivities are over, please visit us for a cleaning. We will be more than happy to ensure your oral health is in tip-top shape.
INSTINCT TO DIG Digging is a dog’s favorite pastime that dates back to their wolf ancestors. Just as natural as sniffing and barking, digging is
an ingrained behavior for dogs, and they want to follow their instincts the moment they see a leaf pile. Whether they’re digging in to rest in the cool leaves or demolishing the pile entirely, your dog is just doing what dogs have always done. IRRESISTIBLE SEASONAL SCENTS Our sense of smell doesn’t even come close to dogs’ incredible scent skills. While we have 5 million scent receptors, dogs have anywhere between 125–300 million! This means they can smell countless other scents we can’t, and autumn may bring some exciting aromas your dog hasn’t experienced in a while. The result? They’ll dive right into a leaf pile and get sniffing! MARKING TERRITORY Another scent factor could be your dog wanting to claim a particular leaf pile. We already know dogs use their scents to mark territory, and rolling in a beloved pile of leaves is a way to infuse their scent. After diving head first into some leaves, they leave their scent behind so other animals can smell them and know that the leaf pile has already been claimed!
Whatever the case, jumping into a pile of leaves is completely normal — and fun! — for both humans and dogs.
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