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Lets bust this myth once for all and learn why dogs chase their tails. For these breeds tail chasing is a way of life not a lifestyle choice.
There are actually quite a number of reasons for this behavior.
Why shouldnt dogs chase their tails. Obsessive chasing could be due to a brain abnormality akin to seizure-like activity. Other reasons could be a painful area where a tail was docked an infection or. Why do Dogs chase their Tails.
Your dog may begin to pursue their tail if they are starting to feel bored. When pets spend too much time. Older dogs will actually start to chew their tails due to decreased awareness.
It can be a comforting feeling. Genetic Problem Some dog breeds are prone to tail-chasing for unknown reasons. Bull Terriers and German Shepherds are among these breeds.
Compulsive Disorder Past life of dogs may be a major reason for their tail-chasing behavior such as physical abuse injury confinement or separation anxiety. In either case it should be discussed with the vet and treated timely. Tail-chasing might also be caused by boredom or lack of exercise says Dr.
Stephanie Liff DVM and Medical Director of Pure Paws Vet Care in New York City. Dogs require a lot of stimulation and exercise to keep themselves in peak physical and mental condition. Here are a few of the most common reasons why dogs chase their tails.
Theyre having fun and being silly. This is especially common in puppies who are just beginning to explore the world. Dogs need a lot of physical activity to stay in good physical and mental shape.
Sometimes dogs chase their tail simply because of boredom. This may be because theyre left alone most of the day or arent getting enough mental or physical stimulation. Tail chasing offers a way to entertain themselves at least for a little while and also allows them to.
For some dog breeds such as Bull Terriers Dobermans German Shepherds tail chasing is much more than just a good way to kill 5 minutes inside when its raining. These breeds are known for them to have a genetic predisposition to chase their tails. For these breeds tail chasing is a way of life not a lifestyle choice.
They Could Be Bored. If you notice your dog really going after her tail a lot and trying to nip at it and chew on it you may want to schedule a trip to the vet. Sometimes dogs will chase their tails because they are being bothered by worms or fleas or experiencing some other kind of medical issue.
Tapeworms or other internal parasites can sometimes move outside a dogs body and get on the tail causing the dog to chase as a result. 7 You may also see your dog chasing their tail because they simply have an itchy spot in that location. It could be due to fleas or even food allergies.
Lets bust this myth once for all and learn why dogs chase their tails. Compulsive Behavior In Dogs. Its very common to see dogs chasing their tails.
You may even see a dog chasing his tail over and over again but in a circle. Dogs do unusual things that may be strange to humans. Dogs that are not getting enough exercise and mental stimulation tend to nip at their tails.
They find it entertaining to chase after their tail and they also try to fulfill their exercise requirements on their own by running in circles at a fairly fast speed. This can be easily avoided by providing enough physical activity to your dog that the idea of tail chasing doesnt even enter his mind. Occasional tail chasing is normal for some dogs.
Its especially common in pups in the weeks before they discover that their tail that tantalizingly elusive plaything is a body part. But when the behavior persists beyond puppyhood is intense and frequent and leads to self-trauma it is clearly pathologic. Like other weird behaviors our dogs might do understanding them will make us better pet owners.
While it may be a behavior we look at as charming or silly from our dogs its actually important to understand why our dogs chase their tails. There are actually quite a number of reasons for this behavior. 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. Dogs can chase their tails because they are painful or itchy from things like fleas allergies irritation from diarrhea or intestinal parasites and even spinal trauma 2.
A dog may also excessively tail chase due to compulsive behavior disorder. Arthritis fleas or allergies can all cause a dog to constantly chase and chew their tails. An underlying medical issue must be treated.
If you notice hair loss licking or if you think your dog.