What is Splooting and Why Do Dogs Sploot?
We all love dogs not only because they are wonderful and friendly creatures but also because their sploot brings smiles to our faces every day. Many dog owners love to capture every single moment of their dog’s growth from when he was a little puppy up to when he becomes an adult. Well in case you are one of those pet owners who can’t help but capture as many adorable moments of your dog as possible, you must have noticed how adorable your dog becomes when he sploots. However, if you are a first-time pet owner who is curious to know what dog’s splooting is and the reason as to why dogs sploot, you have come to the right place. Let us take you through what pets’ splooting is all about. In today’s post, the question of why do dogs sploot will be thoroughly answered.
What is Splooting and Why Is It Called a Sploot?
For those who haven’t heard about this word before, splooting which is also known as frogging is when your dog or any other pet lies down on her belly with their rear legs stretched out straight behind them rather than being tucked in behind the torso. While Corgi is credited with making the sploot famous, all other dogs and cats can also sploot. While there is something naturally funny and adorable about the sploot posture, the word sploot is an example of pet-based onomatopoeia that appeared on the internet one day and entered our everyday lingo since it was attached to a web-wide sensation that later on became pop culture.
Another doggo lingo is Bloop which is a light tap on the nose
Fluff Yoga: Why Do our Dogs and Cats Sploot?
While there is no scientific explanation as to why pets sploot, there are several reasons why they do it. Here are some of the common reasons why dogs sploot.
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Relaxation
One of the main reasons for dogs to sploot is because they want to relax. One quick look at your dog splooting and you will notice how relaxed he looks. Just like humans, dogs also love to feel snug. Dogs that have a habit of splooting will often do that to keep themselves snug and relaxed. With their back legs full stretched out behind them, dogs get to lie down on their underbellies which is a very comfortable position for them.
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Stretching Out
Apart from the fact that sploot posture gives your dog a comfortable position to lie down comfortably, the other reason as to why dogs sploot is because it gives them a chance to stretch out their legs, hips and muscles. With this posture, your dog is capable of stretching out the whole body in one still position.
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Cooling Down
When temperatures are high, dogs have different mechanisms which they use to keep their bodies cool. The other reason why dogs lie down on the sploot posture is that it helps them cool down. With the hind legs spread out, splooting is one of the best mechanisms to effectively let go of some of the heat. Furthermore, when the underbelly makes full contact with a cold floor surface, your dog gets to cool down.
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Comfortable Nursing Position
Splooting happens more in puppies irrespective of the breed. The reason behind this is because their joints are yet to ossify and puppies find it hard to lift themselves properly. These puppies will therefore sploot because they can’t help it and also because it is a comfortable position for suckling their mother’s teats. So, don’t be surprised when your adult dog who used to sploot when he was a puppy can’t sploot anymore.
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Hip Flexibility
Some dogs are born with highly flexible hips and hind legs. So, splooting comes naturally from when they were puppies and they can carry on the habit to adulthood. When your dog sploots, he is in a vulnerable position. Never interrupt him by pulling his paws because it can lead to hip dislocation or mental problems.
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Types of Splooting
The main types of splooting in pets include full sploot, the half sploot and the side sploot.
Full Sploot- This is the most common dog sploot. In this sploot, both hind legs of the dog will be fully spread out behind. This sploot style is mostly seen in short-legged dog breeds such as Corgi and Chihuahua.
The Half Sploot-With this sploot style, the dog shoves one of his hind legs straight while the other hind leg is put beneath his abdomen. Larger breed dogs such as the German shepherd who can’t fully stretch out both hind legs to do the full sploot settle for the half sploot.
Side Sploot-Side sploot is almost similar to the half sploot. The only difference here is instead of your dog stretching out one hind leg backward, he decides to stretch to the side while the other hind leg remains tucked under his belly.
Why Do Dogs Sploot: Benefits of Splooting In Dogs
- Splooting helps dogs relax in a comfortable position.
- When the temperatures are too high, splooting helps stay cool. By lying down with the hind legs stretched out, splooting is one of the best mechanisms to effectively let go of some of the heat.
- Splooting helps dogs stretch out the muscles of their body. Your dog gets to stretch out his body parts in the splooting style that he prefers.
- Splooting provides a comfortable position for kittens to suckle their mother’s teats. This happens because puppies joint is yet to ossify so they find it hard to lift themselves properly.
- Dogs will sploot many times in front of their owners as they try and grab attention from them.
When Should you Worry about Your Dog Splooting?
In most cases, there is no need for any dog owner to worry about their dog if he sploots regularly. While some dog experts suggest that regular splooting in dogs means that your dog is trying to seek your attention, there is no need for you to worry. However, no matter how adorable your dog looks when he/she is splooting, certain instances should make you worry, or better yet make you visit your veterinarian immediately. Such instances are:
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Limping
If there is some limping that accompanies your dog after he sploots, there is a need for you to take him to the vet and have him checked. Make sure that you visit the vet as soon as possible because it can be a sign of injury and it should be taken good care of before things get worse.
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Itchiness and Rash
Sometimes, severe itchiness and rash will make your dog want to sploot as a means of helping him scratch his underbelly. Rashes and itches are common in dogs so, regularly check on your dog’s underbelly for red spots, bumps and inflammation of the skin. If any of these signs are present, take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
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Lethargy
If splooting is followed by a lack of energy for very long hours, something could be wrong with your dog. While is it could be possible that your dog is just feeling lazy, if the lack of energy continues for days and is also accompanied by a gradual loss in appetite, then there could be something wrong with him. Take him to the vet as soon as possible to have him examined.
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Why Do Dogs Sploot Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Splooting Bad for Dogs?
A: Splooting in dogs isn’t much of great concern for dogs to worry about. Since all dogs require a little stretching of their body, splooting is highly beneficial for their body. Splooting helps your dog lose heat when the temperatures are too high. Moreover, it helps your dog relax in a comfortable position that lets him stretch out his muscles.
Q: Is Splooting a Sign of Any Disease?
A: No. If your dog regularly sploot, there is no need to worry as that is a natural thing for him to do. What’s more is that if your dog sploots regularly, he might be trying to grab your attention. However, no matter how adorable your dog looks when he/she is splooting, certain instances should make you worry, or better yet make you visit your veterinarian immediately. You should be concerned about your do splooting if limps after splooting or lacks energy after splooting.
Q: Is Splooting Painful for Dogs?
A: If you also see your dog is in pain while splooting, it might be because he has dislocated or wrenched his muscles or tissues while trying to stretch. If that happens, the dog will be unable to put weight on all four legs and will instead hop and force all his body weight on the front legs.
Conclusion
There is nothing to worry about your dog splooting unless it is caused by a certain injury or sickness. Although splooting is a common behavior in dogs, not all dogs sploot. Unfortunately, if your dog doesn’t sploot, there is no need for you to worry. It would simply be because your dog is not flexible. On the other hand, if your dog sploots, always make sure that you are on the lookout for him, just to ensure that all things are okay.