Dog olfaction

Dog olfaction refers to a dog’s highly sensitive sense of smell, which is enabled by their complex nasal structure and a large number of scent receptors—up to 300 million, compared to about 5-6 million in humans. Their olfactory system can detect far smaller quantities of substances, allowing dogs to identify specific odors in complex environments. When they sniff, air is drawn into their nasal cavity where specialized receptors analyze scent molecules. This information is then processed in their brain, enabling dogs to track, identify, and differentiate among numerous smells with remarkable precision—making their sense of smell an extraordinary tool for detection and communication.