Why Does Fido Chases Its Tail
Dogs are known to have unexplainable behaviors. Dogs have been kept by humans for thousands of years but in spite of this fact dogs have some behaviors that cannot be understood by humans. Experts find the study of these perplexing behaviors of our furry and four legged friends very interesting. Dogs have an unexplainable appetite for grass; have the propensity to sniff each others butts. Dog owners are forever curious about the rotating-before-lying down routine of dogs. A lot of dog owners are mystified by the dog’s habit of chasing the tail .
Dogs are known for their playful personalities. Dog experts theorize that tail chasing which is more common in puppies is due to the fact that puppies believe that the tail is a toy that can be played with and not a body part. The inclination to chase the tail which is common in puppies would eventually decrease as the puppy gets older.
Dogs can deal with the discomfort caused by flies by using the tail as a fly swatter. A sleeping dog pestered by flies and other insects would get up and chase its tail. A dogs infested with fleas would do the same thing. Fleas on the dog’s tail would cause immense itching so that the pet will be seen chasing and biting its tail. The itching of the anal area caused by intestinal parasites would make the dog bite and chase the tail in an effort to ease the discomfort.
Dogs are social animals – always wanting interaction with the human family. A dog that has the habit of chasing its tail may be calling the attention of the human family. Bored dogs have the tendency to develop unwanted behaviors. The bored dogs can become an excessive barker, a destructive chewer and also develop the habit to chase its tail.
This perplexing behavior can be an indication that the dog has a neurological problem. Psychomotor epilepsy that causes the dog to seize is another reason why a dog would chase its tail. The habit of chasing the tail is most commonly seen in dogs that have high cholesterol levels. High cholesterol causes humans to manifest obsessive compulsive behaviors and to have panic attacks. In adult dogs, the habit of chasing the tail can be caused by high cholesterol levels.
Dog owners would always be in search for the reasons behind the dog’s odd behaviors. These unusual actions can be due to behavioral or medical reasons. Studies on dog behavior may or may not provide answers for this concern but the outcome will not cause humans to love dogs less.