Why Do Dogs Chase Their Tails?

 

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

Summary: If you’re wondering “why do dogs chase their tails?”, in this blog we learn what the reasons behind a dog chasing their tail are; why they do it and what (if any) satisfaction they get from it…

   

We’ve all seen a dog decide to chase the tip of their tail around themselves in a circle! They look like they’re having fun, and it’s usually comical to observe too, but do they even know the tail their chasing belongs to them? What’s the reason behind this seemingly playful behaviour? What does it mean?

Let’s learn why dogs chase their tails…

Why Do Dogs Chase Their Tails?

In fact, there are many reasons behind dogs chasing their tails!

Something’s Wrong

One reason your dog is chasing their tail is simply because something about their tail is bothering them. They may have fleas or ticks or be responding to a sensitivity to something in their environment. If your dog isn’t on regular flea and tick control, they should be - it’s our duty as responsible pet owners to protect our pup and others in our neighbourhood! Check it with your vet if you need advice on flea and tick control or if this behaviour is out of the blue, you may want to rule out anything being wrong with your dog and their health.

They’re Seeking Attention

If you laugh or praise your dog when they chase their tail, they may have processed this as a positive interaction as a result of the behaviour! So, they may simply be re-engaging by chasing their tail to obtain the same response from you and thus trigger your attention and affection.

They’re Bored

If your dog is bored (and even more so with puppies), they may chase their tails to expend some pent up energy or entertain themselves. Puppies also engage in this behaviour more so than adult dogs as they tend to explore the world with their mouths (much like human babies!). In addition, they may view their tail as a toy and have not yet realised that their tail is a part of their body, so they can eventually grow out of this behaviour once they hit maturity which is any time between 12-18 months of age. 

It’s In Their Genes

For reasons no one’s quite sure of, some breeds engage in this behaviour more than others. So, if you own a German Shepherd or a terrier, these breeds are more likely to turn to chasing their tails but even more so if they’re really needing to be walked or interacted with. 

If you’re not sure how long your dog needs to be walked every day, consult with your vet and check out our handy guide below:

It’s Compulsive

Dogs who have been (or are being) abused, neglected, frightened, have an injury or been injured in the past, been physically confined for extensive periods, received aggression from another pet or experience emotional issues like separation anxiety can exhibit compulsive behaviours like chasing their tail as a way of comforting themselves and relieving stress. 

If you suspect the tail chasing is compulsive (indicative signs are if they’re making the tail sore from biting or chewing it, or there’s hair loss occurring around the base or on their tail), it would be best to consult your vet and an ethical, reputable dog behaviourist who can help support you and your dog’s recovery from the compulsion. 

They’re Getting Older

It’s not just puppies that exhibit this behaviour more often; senior dogs can chase their tail as the natural ageing process leads to their mental acuity diminishing. Repetitive behaviours like this in a dog’s senior years can indicate canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD), so it’s always worth raising with your vet if you spot your maturer dog (7+ years old) doing this.

Sources

“Why Do Dogs Chase Their Tails?” Purina https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/dogs/behaviour/understanding-dogs/why-dogs-chase-tails

“Why Do Dogs Chase Their Tails?”, Cesars Way Jun 18. 2015 https://www.cesarsway.com/why-do-dogs-chase-their-tails/

Authors Llera, Ryan BSc, DVM and Buzhardt, Lynn DVM “Why Dogs Chase Their Tails” VCA Hospitals https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/why-do-dogs-chase-their-tails