What is the reason for my dog chasing after its tail?
The chances of witnessing a dog chasing its tail are fairly good, whether you’re out in the park or right in your living room, in real life or on television, in person or animated, are pretty good.
Occasionally, it’s just a few exuberant loops in response to a seemingly exciting incident; other times, it can look more like an endless tornado as the dog chases their tail in circles over and over again until they discover a new distraction.
It’s likely that you, as a dog parent, are curious about your dog’s unusual behaviour, and you’re probably wondering why your dog is chasing their tail in particular.
Is it because they’re bored, or is it to burn up extra energy, or is it just for kicks and giggles? Is it possible for dogs to become dizzy while following their tail?
No longer will you be perplexed! Our discussion today will focus on four common reasons why your dog may be so intrigued by its tail.
1. Anxiety and boredom
What is the reason behind your dog chasing after its tail? More than likely, they are asking for attention, or they are simply trying to burn off excess energy since they are deficient in mental stimulation. This is true for a large number of dogs, particularly younger canines and puppies. These dogs frequently discover that running in circles is a lot of fun!
For pups who may not yet perceive their tail as an extension of their body, it can even be a source of amusement for them. Because they notice a fuzzy object in their peripheral vision, they believe it to be another animal worth pursuing
. According to Wag!, running in circles does not appear to cause dogs to become dizzy in the same way that it does in people, so they may keep going for quite a time.
2. A medical condition that requires treatment
The fact that your dog chases their tail on occasion is very normal and understandable. However, if this pattern of conduct persists, it may indicate the presence of a more serious problem.
Dr. Steve Weinberg, a veterinarian for the American Kennel Club, stated in an interview with the organization that “It is possible that obsessive pursuing is caused by a brain disorder that is similar to seizure-like activity.
Other possible reasons include a sore location where a tail was docked, an illness, or even cancer in the animal.”
Tail chasing in dogs, according to some experts, may even be an indication of mental disorder in the animal.
Constant tail chasing is considered a hallmark of canine compulsive behaviour, according to a story in The Guardian.
In the absence of intervention, this behaviour may progress to the point of being self-destructive, with the result that dogs damage their tails.
If you suspect your dog is obsessively chasing its tail, you should contact your veterinarian.
3. Dog Genetics
There may be a link between excessive tail chasing and elevated levels of blood and cholesterol, according to research published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice.
The tail-chasing dogs seen by the researchers had considerably greater levels of total cholesterol, as well as high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, than the control dogs, according to the results of the study.
There is still more research to be done on the genetic relationship, but this was an exciting discovery nonetheless.
Always keep in mind that there are a plethora of reasons why your dog is running after their tail. Keeping an eye on this behaviour may be necessary if you and your partner are receiving lots of exercise and playtime together outside, but you still see this pattern of behavior.
If you notice your dog chasing their tail in an obsessive, constant manner, you may want to take them to the vet to make sure there’s nothing wrong with them.
4. Parasites, Fleas or Ticks.
The likelihood of a dog “chasing” their tail in an attempt to chew on an irritating spot on their tail increases if the dog has an itchy tail caused by parasites such as fleas or ticks.
While dogs are more likely to sit down and try to contort their bodies in order to reach the itching region, they may initially try chasing their tails to relieve themselves of the irritation.
If you find your dog attempting to chew on its tail, you should check for symptoms of parasites and contact your veterinarian to have it examined by a professional.
What breeds of dogs are prone to tail chasing and why do they do it?
The National Center for Biotechnology Information reports that there is evidence that certain breeds of dogs, such as German shepherds, Bull terriers, and Anatolian sheepdogs, have a higher likelihood of chasing their tails.
Also, there are some hints that it is prevalent in terrier breeds such as the West Highland white terrier and the Jack Russell terrier, although there isn’t enough statistical data to support that.
Putting a Stop to This Behavior
If your dog is chasing its tail, it appears to be harmless and can provide hours of amusement for both you and your dog, it is necessary to keep an eye on him.
However, even if they do not have any of the characteristics described above, there is the possibility that they will catch their tail — particularly in younger dogs who are not as “tail-aware.”
When a dog’s tail is injured, there are numerous tiny bones that might be fractured or broken.
Additionally, if your dog perceives their tail as prey, he or she may be tempted to gnaw on it, which may result in a bite on its own tail. As a result, if you detect that they are on the verge of grabbing their tail, you may want to try preventing this habit in order to prevent them from injuring themselves.
Fact-Finding:
Thanks for reading and have a great day! What is the reason for my dog chasing after its tail?
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