Dogs can be difficult to understand sometimes and have strange behavioral patterns. One of the most common behaviors is digging or constantly attacking specific items or appliances in the house. They might do weird things for apparently no reason which can be worrying for many pet owners. In reality, many of these behaviors are normal, but there are cases when you might want to consult a veterinarian. Let’s take a look at some of the strange things that dogs do and the reasons behind them.
Licking their Butt
People often don’t understand why their dog will suddenly start licking their butt. This may seem gross and unhygienic to us, but it’s perfectly normal. It is simply part of the dog’s grooming process, so you shouldn’t be worried. They also have very strong enzymes that will stop them from contracting infections when doing this.
If you’re still worried about your dog licking butt, you can check out this article. It explains exactly why dogs behave this way and why it’s usually not as big an issue as many dog owners think it is. It also explains what to do if the licking becomes excessive and when you should consider taking your dog to a veterinarian.
They’re Chasing Their Tail
This is another thing you will see most dogs do. If the dog is young, then this usually is not something you should worry about. Dogs discover their bodies at that age, and they will do that playfully. They see their tail as a toy and will run in circles to try to catch it.
This is perfectly normal if they do it sometimes, but not if it becomes excessive or the dog is old. If your dog does this uncontrollably and you’re worried that the issue is something more serious, we suggest you contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Spinning in Circles
Dogs will also tend to run in circles sometimes. This might seem harmless and even funny, but this is something you should be taking seriously as it can be a sign of anxiety, dementia, or memory loss. This should especially get your attention if the dog is older.
There are some cases when you shouldn’t think much of it, however. Dogs will usually circle in their bed so they can get comfortable or spin around before going to the bathroom. This only becomes an issue when it is excessive or when it happens after a triggering event.
Dog Running After They Poop
This one is still puzzling a lot of experts. To this day, nobody truly knows why dogs will suddenly get the zoomies after they’ve done their business. Some say that the dog will do this to mark their territory as they have pheromone glands under their paws. This could also explain why dogs like to kick after their poop. There is no way to know for sure why dogs do this, but this isn’t something that should concern you.
Eating Poop
People are often alarmed when they see their dogs eating their poop, and that is perfectly normal. After all, why would dogs do something so gross unless there’s something seriously wrong with them?
The truth is that dogs are often not fed properly at home. If you feed your dog kibble and you don’t look at ways to supplement their diet, then there’s a strong chance that they will develop nutrient deficiencies. This is often why they will turn to poop. Their bodies tell them that they need essential nutrients and dogs will try to get the nutrients they need whichever way they can.
There could be other reasons why your dog may be driven to eat their feces. One of them is diabetes or a condition that causes a sudden increase in appetite. Environmental stressors may also be the cause here. If the dog is always isolated and you constantly put them in confinement, then they might start developing this behavioral pattern. Stress and anxiety might also be the problem.
If poop eating is out of control, you might need to see a professional. You can also look at vitamin or enzyme supplementation or even put things in their food that will make their poop less appealing to them. Some of these foods include yucca, chamomile, parsley, and garlic, just to name a few.
Rolling in Strange Things
Another thing that’s puzzling to many dog owners is when their dogs suddenly decide to roll around in gross things like a pile of garbage, a dead carcass, or feces. Well, if you’re looking for a reason for why they do this, no one really knows.
This is another behavior that experts can’t fully understand. Some say that it’s because dogs interpret smells very different than us and that some things that smell gross to us are appealing to them. Others speculate that they are trying to camouflage their scent. Either way, know that this is a perfectly normal, albeit very frustrating, doggy behavior.
Digging Holes
Dogs love digging holes – it’s part of their nature. Some dogs will be more prone to digging holes than others, like huskies, for instance. So, this is something you have to be prepared to deal with. Dogs will do this because they’re following their instincts while others will do it because of triggers. They might be trying to escape the yard, whereas others will start digging after hearing bugs or moles under the ground. This is usually the case if your dog randomly starts digging holes in different spots around the yard.
In other cases, dogs will dig holes to protect themselves from the summer heat or to hide food. You should know, however, that in some cases, they are not digging, but eating the soil. If you notice this, then this could be a sign of malnutrition.
These are all common things dogs do that could be alarming to some owners. In most cases, there is no reason to worry, but you should always speak with a veterinarian if you notice a sudden behavior change.
