Dog zoomies are an adorable and entertaining form of energy that simply can’t be contained by dog parents. If you are a pet parent, you are likely familiar with your dog’s random bursts all around the house and yard. They will sprint around you, spin around, and zig-zag between objects, all with a crazed look in their eye.
You may be familiar with these acts, but are you positive about why your dog has them? There are several reasons that dogs get zoomies, so keep reading to learn more!
What Is a Case of the Zoomies?
Zoomies are known as random bursts of energy, but they have a scientific name. Frenetic random activity periods (FRAPS) is the technical term for this excess energy, and they can happen for a number of reasons.
It is a normal phenomenon that all dogs will have at some point in their life, especially dog breeds that are happy and comfortable. They are very common in young dogs, who tend to have more energy than other ages, but that doesn’t mean senior dogs won’t get the zoomies and show you that they are still young at heart.
Should I Be Concerned When My Dog Goes Wild?
Zoomies are rarely canine behavior to be concerned about, especially in puppies in high-energy dogs of all ages. Still, if your dog is doing zoomies relentlessly, they might need more attention and enough exercise. It’s likely they have too much pent-up energy and need to find new ways to release it. Zoomies are the easiest way to do so.
Mental stimulation and physical exercises are good for a dog who has a lot of zoomies. Both can tire out your dog in a good way without overworking them or putting them in any danger. Your dog needs exercise anyway, so change it up and offer them several avenues to do so! Who knows? Maybe you’ll each find a new hobby, like agility or herding!
6 Reasons Dogs Get Zoomies
When it comes to the zoomies, the simple reason for them is that your dog has a lot of energy pent up. This is true, but there could be other factors involved that influence your dog’s zoomies. From warming up, releasing anxiety, and even relieving pain, there are plenty of reasons that your dog might be running around the living room like crazy.
1. They Are Trying To Warm Up
If your dog is feeling particularly cold or it’s a chilly day, they might do the zoomies to help warm up quickly. They might do them in the backyard a few times or when they get back inside from a walk. Zoomies allow them to get their blood pumping and warm up easier than if they were to stand still.
This might also happen to dogs who get out of a lake or bath and are looking for a way to dry off.
2. They Are Releasing Anxiety or Tension
Some dogs who have a build-up of stress or tension will do zoomies once they are feeling a bit better. It’s kind of like the zoomies will help to shake off their anxiety and get all of the tension out of their adorable bodies.
If your dog is in a stressful situation, the zoomies might happen right afterward. For dogs that hate bath time, releasing their nervous energy and needing to warm up is the perfect reason for zoomies.
3. They Are Feeling Super Excited
According to animal behaviorists, zoomies are a tell-tale sign that your dog is happy and excited. They might need to release that excitement, and an appropriate way for them to do so is to run around like a madman in the dog park — or start jumping over the coffee table.
If your dog has specific people or dogs they are in love with, they might get the zoomies when they see them. You might arrive at grandma’s house and watch the zoomies unleash straight out of the car.
When your dog gets the zoomies because they are excited, don’t be afraid to egg your dog on and keep them in that mode! They will love it if you begin to play with them.
4. They’re Celebrating After Going to the Bathroom
Some younger dogs will have a quick zoomie if they have finished going to the bathroom. For some reason, after having a nice poop, your pooch’s first instinct might be to run around as if in celebration.
Be sure they don’t run directly into their fresh business, or else a real mess will be on your hands.
5. They’re Following Their Daily Cycle
You might notice that your dog gets the zoomies at specific points in the day. This might be based on the built-in biological rhythm that your dog experiences. They might get sudden bursts of energy in the early morning and later on in the evening, usually accompanied by dinner.
6. They’re Trying To Relieve Pain
The last reason that your dog might be experiencing zoomies could potentially be a cause for concern. Some dogs will experience zoomies after feeling a sharp pain, specifically in their legs or behind. Dogs with arthritis or flea bites might feel pain and instinctively start moving quickly.
If your dog has zoomies accompanied by other issues like limping, itching, whining, or extensive licking in one area, there might be something wrong. Reach out to your veterinarian if this seems to be an issue.
Zoom Over to AskVet for Virtual Help
No question is a bad question, but sometimes they can feel a bit silly. Like, “Why do dogs get zoomies?” The answer might seem obvious, but often there is more to it than you might be aware of!
When you sign-up for a virtual session with AskVet, you gain access to chat services available 24/7. With AskVet’s Certified Pet Lifestyle CoachesTM (CPLC), you can ask a dog expert any question you have. Not only that, but your CPLC can come up with a 360-degree lifestyle plan that encompasses nutrition, behavioral, and dog training resources.
Having a pet can be a lot of work, but with AskVet, you can join a community of other pet parents who just want the best for their animal friends. And we are sure you’ll be able to share zoomies stories.
Sources:
What Are Zoomies? | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Daily Rhythms of Serum Lipids in Dogs: Influences of Lighting and Fasting Cycles | NCBI
