Why Do Dogs Get The Zoomies? Why Is It So Hilarious To See?

Shirin Biswas
Jul 12, 2024 By Shirin Biswas
Originally Published on Oct 20, 2021
White Pit Bull Terrier mixed breed dog leaping and running outdoors

Most dog owners will be no strangers to dog zoomies.

Such strange dog behavior is often believed to be a sign that your animal is very happy. However, did you know that zoomies may also occur if your pup or older dog's mental health has been compromised in some way?

Stress and anxiety can also cause your pet dog to have the zoomies as a way of releasing negative thoughts. Therefore, it is always a good idea to have a vet that you can contact in case your canine friend does seem to be a hurt or anxious.

If you are sure that your dog is fine and just wants to play, the best thing to do is to tire your animal out before nighttime. For other tips and tricks, read on.

If you enjoy this article, why not also check out why do dogs spin in circles and why do dogs wink.

How To Calm Your Dog Down During Zoomies

It can be quite confusing when your pet dog becomes frantic and has a sudden burst of energy. Dog owners have their own ways of making sure that their pet can get rid of any pent-up energy, while making sure that there is no need to visit a veterinarian or rearrange the furniture afterwards.

If you have been wondering whether dog zoomies or Frenetic Random Activity Periods (FRAPs) can be kept under control, then we have the answers.

The best thing to do is to ignore the dog instead of running around the house with it. When humans start to chase them, dogs get the impression that they are playing, and so you can expect animals to continue their crazy behavior.

Zoomies are also great exercise for your dog, and so, as long as the behavior doesn't radiate nervous energy or anxiety, let your canine friend zoom around the house and get tired.

An over-excited dog can be distracted, if not calmed, by a few treats or a toy. If you cannot let the dog run around the house for fear that it may topple an expensive vase, let it out into the yard.

Zoomies are normal for all dog breeds, and hence, more often than not, you will not have to consult a veterinary expert.

Sometimes though, these bursts of energy are a way of combating anxiety or fear. In such situations, the best thing to do is to read your dog's behavior and make sure that the negative emotions are released in a safe and loving environment.

Do all dogs get zoomies?

All dog breeds get the zoomies, usually from extreme amounts of joy or excitement. Through zoomies, your dog is able to release all of the energy that has been growing inside of them.

Whether they love how you have been chasing them around the park, or maybe they are simply trying to cope with some form of stress, zoomies are bound to occur in dogs.

However, zoomies (or Frenetic Random Activity Periods) are most likely to occur in young dogs. With age, the speed at which a dog can run reduces substantially, and a frantic episode of running may lead to a trip to the veterinary clinic.

Pet parents should first and foremost accept the fact that their pup running around like crazy is, most probably, a sign of joy. Such bursts of energy should never be discouraged, whether you have a tiny puppy or a slightly older dog.

Allow the animal off of its leash and join in on its fun run around the room. However, always make sure that there hasn't been a negative external trigger causing the zoomies.

What causes dogs to get the zoomies?

Dogs get the zoomies when they have an excess amount of pent-up energy that needs releasing.

This excess energy usually comes out in the form of running in circles, wanting to play, or a crazy marathon in your living room during the night.

While zoomies are one example of the many signs that dogs use to tell us that they need a walk or would like to play, such dog behavior can also be caused by the stress of bath time.

After a bath, you may notice that your pet gets a little crazy and start zooming around.

This is done in order to release the stress that dogs associate with a bath.

The best advice in such situations is to understand that this is normal in both young and old dogs and allow the animal to release its anxiety. Although, you can make use of training commands such as 'sit' and 'stop' whenever you feel like the dog might knock something over!

If you think that your dogs have been getting zoomies more frequently than normal, make sure to consult a veterinarian about the issue.

While such behavior can easily be dealt with through some play time, a walk in the yard, or any other exercise, it is important that pet owners keep an eye out for any signs that may suggest that their dogs isn't excited for the right reasons.

Your pet may stay up during the night and zoom around the entire house if it does not get enough exercise during the day. In these situations, instead of calling the veterinarian, plan out a few hours of intense play time with your beloved pet.

Once a dog is tired, there are sure to be no dog zoomies during the night!

One weird time when your dog may get zoomies is right after it has pooped. This sudden burst of excitable behavior on your pup's part is a sign that it was waiting to poop. Now that it has done so, your pet's happiness will know no bounds!

How To Make Your Dogs Get The Zoomies

In the rare event that you want to induce zoomies in your dog, giving it a bath should work like magic. Baths usually cause dogs a lot of anxiety, so they like to run in circles or have a good exercise after a particularly stressful bath!

These bursts of energy are a healthy release and also happen when you play with your dog, give it some exercise, or take it for a long walk.

Once your pet is excited to be playing with you, it will use up all of its energy during the day so you can be sure of a nighttime with no puppy zoomies.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for why do dogs get the zoomies then why not take a look at why do dogs tilt their heads, or Shikoku dog facts pages?

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Written by Shirin Biswas

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature

Shirin Biswas picture

Shirin BiswasBachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature

With a degree in English from Amity University, Noida, Shirin has won awards for oratory, acting, and creative writing. She has a wealth of experience as an English teacher, editor, and writer, having previously worked at Quizzy and Big Books Publishing. Her expertise lies in editing study guides for children and creating engaging content.

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