Why do dogs chase their tails?

Although you can’t help but laugh when your dog spins circles in a dizzying attempt to catch their own tail, it turns out that the causes of this seemingly silly behavior are not quite so funny. Besides, if your dog actually catches their elusive target, their triumphant chewing can lead to injury, making tail chasing a habit best avoided.

Here are the top reasons why your dog might be chasing their tail and how to stop it.

Boredom. Twirling around releases pent up energy, which is why active dogs who don’t get enough physical and mental stimulation may start chasing their tails to alleviate their boredom. Give your dog a healthier outlet for their energy with new tricks and puzzle toys that exercise their body and mind.

Attention seeking. Your dog has noticed the smile their antics bring to your face, and they love it when all eyes are on them. So they chase their tail to catch your attention. As hard as it may be, try to ignore your dog’s spinning. Instead, remember to give them praise and cuddles when they are relaxed to encourage calm behavior.

Hurt tail. Just like how you rub your shin when you bump it, dogs may chew on their tail to soothe it when it hurts. Tail injuries are especially common in dogs who have a powerful wag. If your dog suddenly starts chasing their tail when they never have before, a visit to the veterinarian is a good idea to make sure all is well.

Compulsive behavior. Some dogs chase their tails obsessively, gnawing it to the point of perpetual injury. The underlying triggers can vary, like separation anxiety, noise phobia or even excitement, but once the spinning starts, it’s hard to stop it. Breaking this habit requires identifying the underlying trigger and working with your vet to redirect the behavior, which may require medications along with treatment of the chewed tail.

Puppy exploration. Okay, so this reason is actually very funny—not to mention adorable! As puppies become aware of their body, they may wonder what this fluffy thing is following them around and tug on it to find out. You probably won’t be able to stop the “awws” and giggles this elicits, but try your best not to reward this behavior to prevent it from evolving into one of the above problems.

Is your dog an anxious spinner? Help them relax with veterinarian-approved calming supplements. >>