Skip to main content

This video is further proof that dogs and babies are the same

Your baby makes noise at the most inconvenient times, slobbers, and drools. You have to clean up their poop. In fact, they’ll get just about everything dirty. They love to snuggle, and you can say goodbye to any sort of alone time ever again. But you’d never trade having them in your lives for anything. Are we talking about your fur baby or your human baby?

To be honest, there doesn’t seem to be much of a difference a whole lot of the time. Whether you’re a pet parent, a parent to human children, or both, you’re responsible for your baby’s love and care. But sometimes, they’re so alike, we can’t help but laugh.

Meet Ollie, a chocolate lab with 156,000 followers on Instagram. Ollie recently discovered the most prized possession for most babies: the pacifier. And he was absolutely pleased with his discovery, as you can see from his jaunty, happy behavior on his walk. Of course, Ollie’s pet parent didn’t let him keep the pacifier — as Ollie had found it on the ground with no clue where it came from — but did reward her four-legged friend with a pacifier of his own.

And he was ecstatic. Not only is his initial reaction adorable, but his dismay when the pacifier gets taken away for the night makes us just want to give the poor boy a hug.

Why do dogs love pacifiers?

No one knows for sure exactly why some dogs love pacifiers, but in this instance, it’s probably really true that they’re not all that different from babies: Pacifiers are a source of comfort and security. Much like a security blanket or a favorite chew toy, the pacifier puts the pup at ease — and, since dogs tend to be oral explorers (translation: put just about anything in their mouths), pacifiers fit the bill nicely.

Of course, just because your dog likes something doesn’t mean it’s good for them. (If dogs had it their way, there’d be a whole lot of toxic human foods on their dinner menu.) So, should you let your dog have a pacifier?

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Are pacifiers safe for dogs?

While plenty of the comments on Ollie’s video declared it the cutest thing ever, others wondered whether it was safe: Are pacifiers bad for dogs’ teeth or their health in general?

Pacifiers designed specifically for puppies exist and pet parents buy them for a lot of reasons:

  • To teach puppies who are just learning how to eat the proper way to chew
  • To soothe teething puppies experiencing pain and discomfort
  • To help clean a puppy’s teeth and remove tartar buildup

However, as with all treats for your dog, it’s important to give your four-legged friends toys that are appropriate to their age and size. And you also shouldn’t let your pup of any age get their hands on your kid’s pacifier.

Pacifiers made for humans aren’t necessarily made with pet-safe materials nor are they made to withstand a dog’s more powerful teeth — which means your pet could easily swallow a chewed-up piece of a pacifier or even the entire thing. (Consider the story of this poor dog who swallowed nine and had to have surgery.)

Be sure to keep human pacifiers — and other small choking hazards — out of your pup’s reach, and don’t hesitate to bring your dog to the vet if you think they’ve swallowed something they shouldn’t have. Not all dogs will calmly suck on a pacifier like Ollie, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Editors' Recommendations

Nicole Carlino
The Best Dry Dog Food of 2023 for a Balanced Diet
A collie eats crunchy kibble from his bowl

Navigating the pet food aisle can be a daunting task. From ingredients to texture, there are many qualities that determine whether your dog enjoys a balanced diet. All dog food is highly regulated, and the choice will come down to your individual pet's preferences and medical needs.

In this comprehensive guide, we've handpicked the highest-rated dry dog food products available online. We understand that every pup has distinct nutritional requirements, and we're committed to helping you find a product that meets your pet's individual needs.

Read more
Taking your dog’s collar off at night: Safe move or safety risk?
What to know about taking your dog's collar off at night
A man clips a leash on a beagle's collar.

When you and you dog are out and about, your dog's collar is an important part of keeping them safe. It holds their tags, which has vital info that can help you reunite if your dog gets lost, is a convenient place to hold onto if the leash breaks, and it lets other people know that your dog isn't a stray if they get lost.

However, some dog owners take their dog's collar off while they're at home. For some, this sounds like the perfect opportunity to give their dog some time to relax. For others, this might sound like a safety hazard. So which is the truth?

Read more
Why does my dog have a bald patch on their tail? Here are the answers you need
Bald patches on a dog's tail can cause problems, so here's what to know
Two brown dogs lying on a wood laminate floor; the focus is on their tails.

Caring for a dog requires patience, time, and effort--but it also takes money. Still, it's worth it to see your dog happy and healthy. You'd do anything for them, so, it's only natural to worry when you discover something unusual on your dog, like a bald patch.

What does it mean when your pup starts losing hair? How worried should you be if you find a bald spot on your dog's tail? We'll take a deep dive into what dog hair loss means, what you can do to treat it, and when you should see the vet for a bald patch in your pup's fur. 

Read more