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Aug
Occasionally tail-chasing behavior is caused by a medical problem. Here are a few of the most common.
Obsessive chasing could be due to a brain abnormality akin to seizure-like activity.
Why does my dog chase tails. Occasional chasing could be a nervous habit or part of play he explains. Obsessive chasing could be due to a brain abnormality akin to seizure-like activity. Sometimes dogs chew their tails because theyre bored or curious about their tail.
Other times a dog chewing their tail can be a sign of something more serious. Here are a few of the most common. Or your dog may chase his tail when he feels overcome with anxiety when a stranger approaches the house or during a loud thunderstorm.
In some cases tail-chasing may also be a form of idiopathic epilepsy says Dr. Jennifer Coates a veterinarian in Fort Collins Colorado. Oftentimes dogs will chase their tails because they are a bit bored.
Its a way for them to have fun and expend some energy. This is especially true for puppies who may not even realize that their tail is actually a part of their body but see it as a toy. Fleas and ticks are common reasons that your dog might chase their tail and biting their back end.
The pesty parasites can cause irritation to the base of your dogs tail causing them to seem like they are chasing their tail when really they are just trying to bite their back end. No one is entirely sure what compels a dog to chase their tail and some dogs may not stop even when they catch it. It could be due to boredom lack of exercise genetics stress or a medical issue among other reasons.
Why dogs chase their tails Its easy to assume that your dog is spinning around in circles chasing his tail simply because hes trying to catch the furry wiggly thing attached to. The most common reason a dog will chase its tail is boredom explains Dr. Gabrielle Fadl DVM veterinarian and medical director at Bond Vet.
If a dog is not stimulated through moderate daily exercise toys and treats you furry friend may direct its attention to its tail out of boredom. Canine CD Compulsive Disorder or CCD It could be a psychological reason that your dog is chasing his tail. Canines are sometimes predisposed with the inability to concentrate.
If your dog is constantly licking his lips barking or chasing anything that moves he could have Canine CD. Heres a quick overviewThe most common reason for why dogs chase their tails is boredom. If your dog is still a puppy hell likely outgrow this behavior.
If it continues into adulthood it can also have other reasons such as stress anxiety pain discomfort or OCD. Watching a dog chase her tail is undeniably entertaining but when she does it constantly it can get worrisome. Some dogs with anal gland problems flea allergic dermatitis or other medical issues have been known to chase their rear ends.
Sometimes albeit uncommonly tail-chasing is a sign of obsessive compulsive disorder. Dogs may chase or chew their tails because of itching or pain. Katribe says if theres visible hair loss or skin damage and you notice your pup gets a hold of his tail and chews or bites on it this is something that warrants an evaluation by a veterinarian.
Occasionally tail-chasing behavior is caused by a medical problem. Discomfort in the tail lower back legs genitals or anus can cause enough irritation to make a dog spin around to try and chew or lick whatever hurts. In exceptionally rare cases neurological diseases such as epilepsy can cause tail-chasing behavior.