What Is Really Behind a Dog Chasing Its Tail?
In most cases, tail chasing in dogs is not a serious issue and is simply a normal behavior that some dogs engage in. However, if a dog is obsessively chasing their tail or exhibiting other compulsive behaviors, it may be a sign of an underlying medical or behavioral issue that requires attention.
If your dog is chasing their tail excessively, appearing distressed or uncomfortable, or engaging in other abnormal behaviors, it's important to have them evaluated by a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions. In some cases, behavior modification training may also be necessary to address compulsive behaviors.
Additionally, if tail chasing is causing injury to the dog, such as hair loss or skin irritation, it should be addressed by a veterinarian. If left untreated, this could lead to more serious health problems. Here is a quick rundown on some of the major reasons why dogs chase their tails.
1. Curiosity
One of the most common and logical explanations for why dogs tend to
obsessively chase after their tail is that they’re simply curious. Dogs will explore and investigate interesting objects, as well as attempt to interact with them. When a dog's tail is constantly in motion due to it naturally wagging or them chasing it, some canines feel compelled to give it closer scrutiny and “play” with it.
2. Boredom
Dogs, like people, need mental stimulation regularly. Not only does boredom lead them to chase their tails but also lick themselves compulsively or bark a lot more than usual. Chasing the tail can be a sign that a pup needs more physical activity and interactive toys, so this should be considered when assessing the cause of your pooch's odd behaviors.
3. Stress/Anxiety
If your pup has recently experienced changes such as moving houses, meeting new people or being separated from you for extended periods of time then this may contribute to his anxiety levels and subsequent behaviors such as obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD). Signs of OCD in dogs can manifest itself in various ways, one of which could be incessantly chasing the tail. It’s important to get your pup checked by a veterinarian right away if you suspect something like this happening with him/her.
4. Attention Seeking
In some cases, chasing the tail may just be an attention seeking maneuver created by our four-legged companions! Whether they need extra attention from us or pats from other animals in the house/yard - redirecting their focus onto something else should help reign in their wild spinning!
5. Fleas & Other Skin Problems
Unfortunately, fleas are still very common despite preventive treatments ! If your pup has an unpleasant itch due to flea bites (most likely around their hind quarters where the tail is), they might be trying desperately to remove these annoying pests from his backside area – leading him into playing catch-me-if-you-can with his own appendage! How frustrating that must be… As always consult your vet if anything like this arises – irritation isn't fun for any pet!
6. Compulsion/Neurological Disorder
In rare cases we may see canine compulsive disorder (CCD) affecting our beloved hound – resulting in repetitive behaviours such as excessively chasing tail movements shamelessly (even when tired!) If your suspicion arises on potential persistent compulsive habits then please do bring this up with your veterinarian at once so they can carry out further diagnostics tests.
7 Instinctual Habits
Just like cats constantly grooming themselves with their tongues - underdogs too have that same urge - although theirs may look slightly different... Experts suggest that undomesticated wolves have been known to exhibit normal bodily functions through activities such as fur biting and licking while waiting patiently for game hunting signals... With today’s modern household canine - those same natural instincts never truly go away entirely - hence why some puppies cannot resist twisty bouts of zoomy, tailspinning fun now and then!
©deliveryhound.com.au 2023
