Homeostasis - Homeo-What?

 

Homeostasis - Homeo-What?

Homeostasis is a self-regulated internal process that enables organisms to optimize their internal environment relative to their external environment. This process allows organisms to regulate their body temperature, pH level, water balance, and many other functions. This process serves to optimize survival and reproduction.

To modify temperature regulation, dogs sweat through sweat glands in their feet and ear canals. But that alone is not sufficient. Dogs also pant to stay cool. Our dogs’ regular breathing rate can range from 10 to 30 respirations per minute. When a dog pants this rate can increase to 200+ times a minute! Panting evaporates moisture on the surface of their mouth and tongue. The passing air also cools the surrounding tissue’s blood supply which is then transported throughout their body lowering their core body temperature.

Shake It Off!

Have you ever seen your dog “shake it off”? I often say “This is one of the few behaviors that actually is what it looks like. Since so many other dog behaviors are often misunderstood.” This behavior is seen physically but actually changes your dog's internal environment. It lowers their heart rate and modifies other physiological functions. Dogs do this “shake off” behavior to release emotional tension or after high-intensity exercise such as intense dog-dog play. This behavior aids in restoring a state of homeostasis within their body.

Check out the video below where you can see the moment the dogs “shake it off” followed by the immediate lowering of their heart rate.

*https://youtu.be/J6f4P-m6N3A*

There are so many fascinating and automatic processes that happen within all living organisms' bodies every single day. All of these happen with extreme accuracy and take no conscious effort on our behalf. Imagine if we had to remind ourselves to breathe every FOUR seconds?!

Appreciate what you have. There are many reasons to be thankful.