One of the funniest situations in which we are entertained by our furry friends is when they suddenly start spinning in a circle trying to catch their own tail. Do you know why dogs suddenly get that urge to chase their tail and can this be the beginning of a more serious condition?
Here are some common reasons why dogs chase their tails:
Boredom
Most often, dogs chase their tail in a circle out of pure boredom. It’s a way for them to have fun, and that’s especially true for puppies. Puppies are sometimes not even aware that the tail is a part of their body, they see it as a toy and just wanna have fun. This kind of fun subsides as they grow, so older dogs usually run less for their tail.
Seeking attention
If you find the chasing of the tails funny and react with laughter and positive energy, there is a greater chance that they will behave like this next time in order to attract your attention and invite you to play with them.
Genetics
It has not been explained yet, but there are certain breeds that are more prone to this kind of behaviour. For example, it has been noticed that German Shepherds and Terriers chase their tail more, even when they grow up. This feature is especially evident if they are locked in a house or apartment for a long period of time.
But – what if something is wrong
If you notice that your dog very often and a bit aggressively chases his tail and even bites it, it might be a good idea to take the dog to the vet for a checkup. Sometimes dogs chase their tail because they are tormented by worms or fleas, so in this way they try to alleviate these torments.
Another problematic cause of tail chasing can be compulsive disorder. These types of disorders can develop for several reasons, most often due to physical and psychological trauma. If this is the case, it is necessary to react in time because it can happen that the dogs loose their coat on the tail due to frequent biting or even getting injured.