Top 10 my dog keeps looking up at the ceiling and sniffing You Need To Know

 It’s a sunny afternoon, being spent fruitfully with a good book in hand and your faithful hound lounging by your side.

Just as you’re getting to the good part- Who in the world put Harry’s name in the Goblet??– your pup’s head shoots upwards, with snout pointed straight at the ceiling.

He pauses, and sniffs the air with a serious look of contemplation in his eye. Sniff, sniff.

Finally, he lowers his head, content to nestle on the lush carpet. (Barty Couch, that traitorous fiend!)

You can’t even get in two more page flips when your dog lifts his head again to sniff at the ceiling. And again.

And again.

Perplexed, you wonder: “My dog keeps looking up at the ceiling and sniffing! Why?”

Well, you’re about to find out all of the reasons why- and more. Read on!

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Why Does My Dog Look Up At The Ceiling And Sniff?

There are many possible reasons your dog is looking up at the ceiling and sniffing. Here is a list of the most common causes:

• Your dog may be hearing a noise that you simply cannot detect with your subpar human ears. This could be due to an animal (like a rat) walking on the roof, another dog walking by a block away, or a neighbor playing music.
• The sound of the ceiling fan or air conditioner may have caught your dog’s attention, causing him to try to figure out what it is and where it came from.
• Your pet may just want your attention, so give him some love! Pets often look up at the ceiling when they want to be petted.
• Your dog may have found a scent he cannot identify and is in the process of trying to figure out where it came from by sniffing in different directions. This may mean they smell another animal or pest that might be in your building! If you live in an apartment, they may be able to smell a dog or cat living above you.
• A change in weather patterns may account for your pet’s behavior as well. If the outside temperature has recently increased, it may make any odors inside seem stronger to him than they normally would be.

In general, a pup will display this behavior when notable changes occur in their environment. New people or animals visiting your home, or construction taking place nearby may also encourage this behavior.

Should I Be Worried If My Dog Keeps Looking Up At The Ceiling And Sniffing?

Dogs are surprisingly intuitive animals, so if your pup appears to be acting out of character there could potentially be an issue afoot.

If your dog is looking up at the ceiling and sniffing, it is important to rule out any medical causes in the first instance. You should bring him to a vet if he has:

• Swelling under his eyes: Swollen areas underneath the eyes may indicate an infection of the tear ducts.
• Ear infections: Rapid, painful movement of the ears could mean that your dog has a bacterial or yeast ear infection. Your pup may naturally want to tilt its head back to relieve the pressure and promote drainage.
• Swollen glands: Smooth, round lumps under your dog’s neck could be an indication of a bacterial infection or tumor. Your pet may also have swollen lymph nodes on its stomach. Extending its head and neck might be a sign of pain or discomfort.
• Dental problems: If your dog has any dental issues, it may produce extra saliva and drool. Tilting its head upwards and sniffing can help the dog to drain its mouth of any excess fluid.
• Unwanted discharge from the eye or nose: Discharge of any kind from the eye or nose should be examined by a vet, as it could indicate an upper respiratory infection. It could also be a sign of allergies, which could make a dog need to clear its nose more often.
• Changes in behavior, such as unusual aggression or new shyness: If your dog is acting out of character, it may be a sign that something has changed in their environment and they are reacting anxiously to it. Talking to a vet or animal behaviorist can help you to identify what is causing this anxious behavior.

If your dog does not have any of these symptoms and you are just curious why it is looking up at the ceiling and sniffing, it’s probably nothing to worry about.

Try to talk to your pet and engage with them to see if they respond. If not, you can attempt to take your dog’s attention off the ceiling by giving it some of its favorite treats or a toy to play with- as well as plenty of attention!

A potty break is also a good idea when your pet becomes transfixed with sniffing towards the ceiling. Some time outside can help to relieve any built-up energy that might be causing your dog to exhibit this behavior.

Why Does A Dog Smell The Air?

The air contains a huge variety of smells, from those that waft in from the food cooking in the kitchen, to that of blooming flowers carried by a gentle Spring breeze.

Dogs have an excellent sense of smell; they can pick up on these scents and use them to identify where they are going or who is around them.

Dogs also sniff to determine if something is good to eat by picking up the scents of food in their environment. They can sometimes use this ability to figure out if something is safe for them or not, such as whether they are nearing a poisonous plant.

Most importantly, sniffing allows dogs to identify other animals from miles away by picking up their scent and following it back to its source.

So, when this behavior happens in your house, it isn’t necessarily a response to something nearby. Dogs can smell up to 100 times better than humans, so they may simply know something that you don’t!

What Is Fly Snapping Syndrome?

Perhaps, in addition to looking up to the ceiling and sniffing, your dog is also biting or snapping at the air. This is known as fly snapping syndrome.

Fly snapping syndrome is when a dog snaps at imaginary flies. This behavior usually occurs because the animal has been in one place for too long and needs to relieve some pent-up energy.

It can also, of course, be because there is an actual fly in your home! (In which case- might I suggest Catchmaster glue traps?)

When a dog snaps at this imaginary flying object, it may use its mouth, paws, or even tail to do so. You may hear a bark or growl accompany this behavior, which may be startling if this action comes out of nowhere.

Fly snapping syndrome is typically diagnosed based on observation of the animal’s behavior. If your dog has been known to engage in this unusual behavior and you are concerned about it, talk to your vet to see if they have any inclination on what might be causing it.

How Do I Stop My Dog From Air Snapping?

It is essential to be persistent and consistent when training your dog to stop air snapping because the behavior can easily become habitual for a stubborn pup.

Don’t punish them by yelling or chasing after them like they’re misbehaving- this will only confuse them! Instead, try to distract them from the habit. For example, praise or give your pup a treat when they look at you for a few seconds in between air snaps.

Make sure that your canine companion gets plenty of exercise every day. This will release any pent-up energy that they may have and will tire out an energetic dog much more quickly than simply telling them to calm down.

Having a variety of toys (such as a few top quality wood-like chews toys) around the home may also help to keep your dog entertained and feeling less bored.

Pent-up energy is the leading cause of this behavior and may be more common in younger, high-energy dogs. Therefore, don’t be surprised if your corgi pup starts showing this trait after being left alone by itself for hours on end!

If your dog is getting aggressive and snapping at people, try giving them a timeout in another room so they can calm down and re-focus.

This will help to teach them that this type of behavior isn’t appropriate – although be careful not to leave them alone for too long as doing so might increase their anxiety and aggression further.

Can Dogs Smell Carbon Monoxide?

When your pup keeps looking up at the ceiling and sniffing, you may be wondering whether or not they are sensing something toxic in the air that you can’t.

Dogs can’t smell carbon monoxide like humans can- only at levels higher than what you would normally find indoors.

However, they will likely feel the effects of carbon monoxide faster than a human can. Keep an eye out for panting, weakness, and sleepiness to determine if this is a possibility.

Make sure to install a CO detector for good measure! This is always a good safety precaution for everyone living under your roof.

If your dog has been looking up at the ceiling and sniffing regularly, it may be a good idea to invest in an indoor CO detector that will let you know if there’s any danger lurking nearby.

Can Dogs Smell Toxins Or Chemicals?

Dogs can be trained to smell many different substances, such as gas leaks and toxic gases like ammonia.

It’s not uncommon for a dog to be able to detect the smell of certain chemicals in your home- especially if they have been used recently or if you live near any factories that use them!

Usually, if they are interested in a chemical scent, it’s due to a household cleaner such as disinfectant, carpet cleaners, paint, or varnish.

They may possibly be able to smell this even if it is coming from the floor above you- which may be the explanation as to why they are sniffing at the ceiling!

If you feel that there is a toxin or strong chemical presence in your home, your first step is to ventilate or even evacuate your home. You can then test the air (or employ someone to do it) for toxins like ammonia with a chemical sensing kit.

If the smell is coming from something you’re using in your home, be sure to read labels carefully and look at any safety information before proceeding. You may want to consider using alternative cleaners such as vinegar or baking soda which are safe for your pup.

In addition to creating a better olfactory experience for your pup, it will be a good shift for all humans in the home as well!

In Summary

If you’ve recently found yourself constantly thinking, “My dog keeps looking up at the ceiling and sniffing!” Hopefully we’ve been able to put your mind at ease today.

Unless the behavior is accompanied by worrying symptoms such as swelling under the eyes, ear flapping, neck extension, discharge from the mouth, or changes in aggression or shyness, there likely isn’t anything sinister going on with your dog.

It is much more probable that your dog has detected something with his nose or ears that you simply can’t as a human being!

This could be anything from a rat in the rafters to the neighbor’s cat meowing a few doors over. Even the most subtle of changes in a dog’s environment can be a cause for alert and excitement- hence the inquisitive looking and sniffing.

Usually the behavior will subside once the catalyst has also disappeared, but there are ways to stop your dog from constantly performing the action if you find it too distracting.

This can be achieved through the use of treats or praise as rewards- just with any other reinforcement of behavior in canines!

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• Sumary: My Dog Keeps Looking Up At The Ceiling And Sniffing! Your pup’s head shoots upwards, with snout pointed straight at the ceiling. Perplexed, you wonder: “My dog keeps looking up at the ceiling and sniffing! Why?”

• Matching Result: Why Does My Dog Look Up At The Ceiling And Sniff? · Your dog may be hearing a noise that you simply cannot detect with your subpar human ears.

• Intro: My Dog Keeps Looking Up At The Ceiling And Sniffing! | JoyPetProductsThis post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy we may make a commission, at no additional charge to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.  It’s a sunny afternoon, being spent fruitfully with a good book in hand and your faithful hound lounging by your side. Just as you’re getting to the good part- Who in the world put Harry’s name in the Goblet??– your pup’s head shoots upwards, with snout pointed straight at the ceiling. He pauses, and sniffs the air with a serious…

• Source: https://joypetproducts.com/my-dog-keeps-looking-up-at-the-ceiling-and-sniffing/

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• Sumary: Your pooch has developed a strange habit. They often stare at the ceiling like they’re watching something up there. Wait, are they seeing things? Creepy! Continue reading to find out: What makes your dog gaze at the ceiling for so long. If you should be concerned about this staring behavior. Do they see something or …

• Matching Result: Your dog looks up at the ceiling and sniffs because they feel scared or sense critters inside. They may also have gastrointestinal problems or epilepsy.

• Intro: 17 Reasons Why Your Dog Looks Up At The Ceiling + 5 Tips Your pooch has developed a strange habit. They often stare at the ceiling like they’re watching something up there. Wait, are they seeing things? Creepy! Continue reading to find out: What makes your dog gaze at the ceiling for so long.If you should be concerned about this staring behavior.Do they see something or is it all due to hallucinations?5 practical tips on how to help them and stop this weird habit.And many more… Why does my dog look up at the ceiling? Your dog looks up at…

• Source: https://dogsandclogs.com/why-does-my-dog-look-up-at-the-ceiling/

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• Sumary: My dog keeps looking up at the ceiling and sniffing. Dogs may hear the noise that is not detected by human ears. The ceiling fan sound or sound of the air

• Matching Result: It is normal behavior of dogs to look up. Still, if the dog keeps looking up and sniffing, it can be because of gastrointestinal diseases, fly-catching …

• Intro: My Dog Keeps Looking Up At The Ceiling And Sniffing : 9 Menacing Symptoms – Learn About PetIt is normal behavior of dogs to look up. Still, if the dog keeps looking up and sniffing, it can be because of gastrointestinal diseases, fly-catching syndrome, flea medication, epilepsy, seizures, anal sacs, tumor, ticks, dementia, and habits, etc. It can also be due to psychological reasons.My dog keeps looking up at the ceiling and sniffing. Dogs may hear the noise that is not detected by human ears. The ceiling fan sound or sound of the air conditioner may get the attention of…

• Source: https://learnaboutpet.com/dog-keeps-looking-up-at-the-ceiling-and-sniffing/

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• Sumary: As dog owners, it seems we spend a good portion of our time trying to decode our pet’s behavior. Often with good reason. Many behaviors can range from an odd quirk or normal behavior to

• Matching Result: Looking up or staring at the ceiling can be a sign of OCD. Other signs include sniffing or licking the air. They may also snap at the air. It looks like …

• Intro: Why does my dog keep looking up? As dog owners, it seems we spend a good portion of our time trying to decode our pet’s behavior. Often with good reason. Many behaviors can range from an odd quirk or normal behavior to signs of a medical problem. Dogs rely on us to decode the messages they are sending. Some of these messages are simple. When a dog goes to the door and barks, he wants to go outside. Sometimes it’s an odd behavior like looking up. Is your dog trying to tell you something? Showing signs of a medical problem?…

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• Sumary: In this article, we’ll address the possible reasons you dog is staring into space and explain whether or not you should be concerned.

• Matching Result: Your dog is simply trying to track the scent or sound of creepy crawlies. Even something as obscure as a termite infestation or a damaged …

• Intro: Why Is My Dog Looking Up At The Ceiling? There’s no denying that dogs are man’s best friend. In fact, your doggo is so loyal and loving that it will befriend almost any other pet, be it cat, parrot, or ferret, to bring peace to the household. So when you see your normally sweet and gentle dog staring up at the ceiling and even whining or growling, you may start to think there’s some sort of evil presence up there. But don’t call your local church for an exorcism just yet; your dog is not a spiritualist or psychic. There…

• Source: https://www.petsgal.com/why-dog-looking-up-at-ceiling/

• Author: dogloversdigest.com

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• Sumary: If you’re a dog owner, you probably already know how important a dog’s sense of smell is, and it should come as no surprise when … Read more

• Matching Result: Dogs show excitement in many ways. Barking, whining, jumping, and running in circles are common signs that your dog is excited. Sniffing the air and looking up …

• Intro: 14 Reasons Why Your Dog Keeps Sniffing The Air & Looking Up If you’re a dog owner, you probably already know how important a dog’s sense of smell is, and it should come as no surprise when you catch your dog regularly sniffing the air and looking up.  We’ve come up with this list of 14 common reasons a dog will sniff the air and look toward the ceiling. But let us first acknowledge that this behavior is normally rooted in a dog’s biological drive to investigate and communicate. Specifically, much of what dogs know about their environment is discovered…

• Source: https://www.dogloversdigest.com/reasons-why-your-dog-keeps-sniffing-the-air-and-looking-up/

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• Sumary: The reason your dog is staring at the ceiling could range from not-so-harmful to extremely worrying. Before you start panicking, read this.

• Matching Result: Canine Compulsive Disorder (CCD) is the dog version of our OCD. With CCD, your dog will begin to develop a series of repetitive actions or …

• Intro: Why Is My Dog Staring at the Ceiling? (6 Things You Should Know) All dogs are different and unique. They each have their own distinct personalities and weird behaviors that help to make them oh-so loveable! When I caught my dog staring at the ceiling, I figured it was just that. I thought that he was simply being his goofy self. However, when I saw him doing the same thing a couple weeks later, I started to wonder, why is he staring up there? Should I be worried about him? You see, the reason your dog is staring at the…

• Source: https://www.puppytip.com/why-is-my-dog-staring-at-the-ceiling/