Neuroscience Unveils Why Wet Dogs Shake Themselves Dry

Researchers identify the neural mechanisms triggering the instinctive shake in mammals when wet.

Studies reveal that the 'wet dog shake' is an evolutionarily conserved behavior shared among many furry mammals, including dogs, mice, and cats.
Scientists have pinpointed a gene, Piezo2, and specific touch receptors, C-LTMRs, as crucial for detecting irritants like water and triggering the shake reflex.
Experiments on genetically modified mice showed a significant reduction in shaking when C-LTMRs were deactivated, highlighting their role in this behavior.
The neural circuit for the wet dog shake involves pathways connecting the spinal cord to the brain's parabrachial nucleus, which processes touch, pain, and temperature.
Future research may explore links between these receptors and conditions like skin hypersensitivity in humans or twitch-skin syndrome in cats.