- Dogs often exhibit strange behavior like sniffing other dogs' butts, eating poop, getting the zoomies, and more.
- INSIDER spoke with Dr. Leanne Jakubowsky, DVM to find out the medical reasoning behind these strange behaviors.
- Many strange behaviors are evolutionary or instinctual.
- Most of the weird things dogs do are completely normal, but others can be signs of health conditions.
Any dog owner can confirm that dogs do some very strange things. Amidst the everyday behaviors like cuddling, playing, and giving kisses, our furry friends sometimes do things that we just don't understand.
When your dog suddenly gets the "zoomies" it's because of the best possible reason.
 |
| © Shutterstock |
As it turns out, the reason is simple - happiness. Dr. Jakubowsky told INSIDER, "It's a way to release pent-up energy, but only happy, healthy dogs get the zoomies." So, if your pet is doing the zoomies then you are doing everything right.
According to Dr. Jakubowsky, many dogs also get the zoomies after a bath because "it feels so good to move and shake off all that water and anxiety."
Although the zoomies are a completely healthy behavior, Dr. Jakubowsky does warn that pet parents should always be on alert and cautious when their dog is running around. In order to avoid injury to the dog or people around it, she advises to "steer [pets] to safe areas… and take care to protect yourself and your knees as a dog with the zoomies could crash into you."
If your dog is constantly spinning in circles or chasing their tail excessively, it may be time for a vet visit.
 |
| © Wikimedia Commons |
She said that frequent or constant spinning can be signs of potential health problems such as "inner ear infections, brain lesions, and even seizures." She advises that if you feel your dog is circling or spinning too much to consult with your veterinarian. A vet should be able to help you determine if the spinning is a genetic trait, a compulsion, or a sign of a more serious health problem.
However, doing circles before lying down is completely normal.
 |
| © alkir/ iStock |
In addition, they are likely showing signs of their species' lineage. According to Dr. Jakubowsky, "There is probably some instinctual basis for this behavior - wolves making a warm, safe spot to bed down for the evening."
If you catch your dog eating grass, it's probably just another instinctual behavior.
 |
| © Pexels |
In addition to using it as a purgative, she said some dogs may just enjoy the taste. However, she urges dog owners to dissuade the behavior, because "it can lead to a mat of grass in their stomach" which can require surgery. It can also cause internal injury since a dog's "sensitive oral mucosa and esophagus can get a grass cut, just as your finger does."
On the rare occasion, she said some dogs may eat grass due to nutritional deficiencies, but this is less likely since modern diets typically are high-quality and contain all of the nutrients our pets need.
What if your dog eats poop? Turns out it's quite normal and there is actually a medical term for it — coprophagy.
 |
| © Shutterstock |
According to Dr. Jakubowsky, it's fairly common, with "some students citing up to 25% of dogs exhibiting this behavior." She said it can be caused by malabsorption diseases, but the most common reason can be traced back to ancestral survival instincts. When wolves relied on scavenging for food they likely would have eaten fecal matter if it was all that was available.
She also said that when being potty trained some dogs may eat their own poop out of fear of negative repercussions. Dr. Jakubowsky said to avoid this, "Don't spank or be heavy-handed with your dog when he has a house training accident." Doing so can cause your dog to associate their poop with your anger, resulting in them eating it to get rid of the evidence.
Eating poop is also most common in dirty or overcrowded conditions. She advises owners to keep a pet's environment clean to reduce temptation.
Should your dog give you a wink, it's most likely because they have something in their eye.
 |
| © Nan Palmero/Flickr |
She also said a wink could be a dog's way of "breaking their gaze." Staring can be seen as a threatening act to a dog, so by winking your dog is reminding you that they're being friendly.
A dog's way of saying hello — by sniffing butts — may seem silly to us, but it's an evolutionary trait for dogs.
 |
| © Wikimedia Commons |
"Imagine you have 300 million olfactory receptors in your nose," said Dr. Jakubowsky. "With a quick sniff, they can determine whether their sniff-ee is male or female, happy or sad, scared or stressed."
When dogs roll around in the grass, they're just playing.
 |
| © Pixabay |
She also said that if there is something smelly on the grass such as a dead insect, dead animal, or a high concentration of urine or musk smells, they're likely rolling in it to cover themselves in the smell. Even though we think it smells disgusting, dogs actually love foul odors.
If your dog has a habit of carrying their food from one location to another — don't worry — it's a common behavior.
 |
| © Dmytro Zinkevych/Shutterstock |
Dr. Jakubowsky also said that if you smile or laugh when your dog does this behavior, you could be encouraging it, as dogs' behaviors are highly influenced by positive reinforcement.
Humping can be a sign of dominance but, yes, it can also be sexual.
 |
| © Bigandt_Photography/ iStock |
Dr. Jakubowsky explained, "Of course, this [behavior] can be sexual, but often [it] is just play or even [a display of] aggression/dominance." She said the behavior is most common in dogs that are poorly socialized and occurs a result of too much excitement or a desire to exert dominance during playtime.
As for when dogs hump objects, Dr. Jakubowsky said that dogs likely do it "just because it feels good." While there is nothing wrong with this behavior, she does warn that it can become a problem with older dogs, since it could lead to back pain and strain. If you feel your pet is humping objects too frequently, schedule a visit with your vet.
When your dog is moving their feet or barking in their sleep, it's probably because they're dreaming.
 |
| © Chris Waits/Flickr |
If your dog exhibits these behaviors during a nap, Dr. Jakubowsky said you can look at their eyes and that typically "you will see the rapid eye movements happening behind their closed lids." Indicative of the REM state of sleep, eyes that twitch and move simply mean your pet is in a deep sleep cycle.
Dr. Jakubowsky did say, however, that seizures can occur during sleep. Seizure-like activity during sleep consists of a rigid, stiff body and violent shaking or seizing, and this is, of course, indicative of a greater health problem. Be sure to visit your veterinarian if you think your dog is experiencing seizures during sleep.
It may be adorable when your dog tilts their head, but it actually is helping them collect sounds around them.
 |
| © Pixabay |
But don't think your dog doesn't know that their head tilt is cute. Dr. Jakubowsky confirmed that, yes, sometimes your dog is just milking their cuteness to get something from you, be it approval, attention, affection, or treats.
