Introduction
Pheromones are chemicals produced and released by animals that can trigger a natural response from others of the same species. Pheromones serve as communication tools in the animal kingdom and dogs use them to convey information about emotions, sexual status, identity and marking territory [Source]. Dogs have apocrine glands throughout their body that secrete pheromones which are then released into the environment. Some key ways dogs communicate with pheromones include conveying fear or stress, marking territory, indicating sexual status, bonding with littermates, and facilitating nursing in puppies.
Dogs release pheromones between their legs from interdigital glands located between the toes on their paws. When a dog scratches or digs with their paws, it spreads secretions from these glands that contain pheromones. This leaves scent marks as the dog walks. According to https://dogdiscoveries.com/curiosity/dogs-release-pheromones, “These pheromones are secreted by the sebaceous glands found in mother dog’s intermammary sulcus, the area in between her breasts where they are licked by her puppies.” The pheromones communicate information to other dogs about identity, sex, health and more.
Between Legs
Dogs have interdigital glands located between the toes on their paws. When a dog scratches or digs with their paws, it spreads secretions from these glands that contain pheromones. As a dog walks around, these secretions leave scent marks on the ground. According to https://dogdiscoveries.com/curiosity/dogs-release-pheromones, “These pheromones are secreted by the sebaceous glands found in mother dog’s intermammary sulcus, the area in between her breasts where they are licked by her puppies.” The pheromones communicate information to other dogs about identity, sex, health and more.
Paws
Dogs have sweat glands in their paws that release pheromones as they walk. These paw pad pheromones allow dogs to scent mark their territory as they move about. According to research published in Nature, dogs are able to recognize the paw pad scent of other dogs, suggesting it plays a role in communication.1 Pheromones from a dog’s paws essentially act like a “business card,” providing information about the dog to others. As a dog walks along and presses his paw pads into the ground, he leaves behind this chemical signature. Other dogs who come across the scent are able to discern details about the original dog’s identity, sex, and reproductive status.
In addition to scent marking, paw pad pheromones may also contribute to cohesion among dogs living in the same household. Dogs who share living spaces and beds have opportunities to exchange pheromones, allowing for familiarity between them. When a new dog is introduced to a home with resident dogs, rubbing paws together can be a way to exchange scents and pheromones, facilitating familiarity between the dogs.
Ears
Dogs have special glands around their ears that secrete pheromones. The sebaceous glands in a dog’s ears contain pheromones that provide information about the dog.[1] When a dog shakes their head, these pheromone-containing oils travel down the dog’s hair shafts. Other dogs can detect these pheromones when they sniff the dog’s head or body. The pheromones around a dog’s ears advertise information about the dog such as their sex, reproductive status, and mood.
Mouth
A dog’s saliva contains pheromones that provide information to other dogs when deposited through licking. According to the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, “When dogs lick each other’s faces, they are not just getting kisses. They are gathering chemical information.”
The pheromones in a dog’s saliva can communicate information about the dog such as their health status, reproductive state, and dominance ranking. By licking and sniffing each other, dogs can get insight into important details about the other dog.
Research has found that the pheromones in a mother dog’s milk help her puppies bond to her in the early stages of life. The same pheromones are present in adult dog saliva and facilitate social bonding through face licking.
So when dogs lick each other’s faces, they are exchanging pheromones and gathering key social information. The pheromones deposited from licking allow dogs to get to know each other better.
Face
Dogs have facial glands that release pheromones used for communication and territorial marking. These glands are located near the dog’s eyes, mouth, and ears. When a dog rubs its face against objects or people, it is depositing these facial pheromones to mark its territory and spread its scent (https://www.adaptil.co.uk/pages/comforting-dog-pheromones). The pheromones provide information to other dogs about the marking dog’s identity, sex, dominance, and reproductive status. Facial rubbing is a normal canine behavior that allows dogs to spread their scent in their environment.
According to research, dog appeasing pheromones released from the face may help reduce stress and promote relaxation in dogs after stressful events (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6436694/). So when a dog rubs its face on someone, it may not only be marking territory, but also seeking comfort and reassurance.
Tail
A dog’s tail contains a special sebaceous gland at the base that releases pheromones used for communication. As a dog wags its tail, the scent from this gland spreads in the air around it. This helps other dogs pick up chemical signals relating to the dog’s mood and identity.
According to an article from Omlet, “The main purpose of the tail is communication, and to spread personal information in the form of pheromones.” https://blog.omlet.us/2020/04/24/discover-these-amazing-facts-about-dog-tails/
When a dog is excited or happy, the increased tail wagging helps spread more of its signature scent to other dogs. Specific pheromones in the oil from the tail gland provide information like the dog’s sex, reproductive state, age and mood.
Coat
Dogs have special sebaceous glands in their skin that release pheromones onto their fur coats (ThunderEase for Dogs – Calming Pheromones, n.d.). These pheromones contain chemical signals that communicate information to other dogs. A dog’s fur coat helps hold the scent of these pheromones so they can be detected by other dogs (Adaptil Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP), Plug-In …, n.d.). When dogs sniff or make contact with each other’s coats, they pick up on the pheromonal signals being released.
Urine
Dogs excrete pheromones in their urine to communicate with other dogs. According to research from Woszczyło et al. (2020) [1], urine contains volatile compounds that convey information about the dog’s sex, reproductive status, and identity. When dogs urinate, they release these chemicals into the environment.
Urine marking is a form of olfactory communication in dogs. As described on PetMD [2], dogs have scent glands in their paws that leave trace pheromones whenever they paw at something. By urinating on vertical surfaces like trees, poles, or furniture, male dogs aim their urine at nose level to spread their scent. Products like the Simple Solution Pee Post [3] imitate this raised urination and prompt dogs to pee in a specific outdoor location.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7696428/
[2] https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/evr_dg_tips-for-removing-dog-urine-smell-from-carpet
[3] https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Solution-Outdoor-Training-Pheromone/dp/B0002DH5MG
Conclusion
Dogs have several major pheromone glands located in key areas of their bodies. Between their legs, on their paws, around their ears and mouth, on their face, tail, and within their coat are the primary areas where pheromones are released. These pheromones allow dogs to communicate important information with other dogs such as reproductive status, anxiety levels, territory markings, and individual identification.
Pheromones play an incredibly important role in how dogs interact, recognize each other, and convey vital emotional states. They provide an additional channel of non-verbal communication that complements a dog’s body language and vocalizations. Understanding where dogs release pheromones from can help owners better interpret their dog’s behaviors and moods.