Has your dog ever dashed around your lawn or raced through the house, barking excitedly as if anticipating their favorite treat? You might have wondered if something was wrong, but there's no cause for concern—this lively behavior is known as zoomies. It’s perfectly normal, and it’s their way of indicating that they're eager to play with you.
According to Vet Cornell. Edu, dog owners have called these sudden bursts of energy various names, such as “zoomies,” “crazy eights,” “demon possession,” and “midnight madness.” However, experts call them the Frenetic Random Activity Period (FRAPS).
We guess the introduction has sparked your curiosity and made you want to learn more about Zoomies. So, read this blog that will guide you in this energetic way of expressing yourself, science, types, and much more.
FRAPs: Why Do Dogs Get Them?
Dr. Pamela J. Perry ‘89, D.V.M., behaviour resident at the College of Veterinary Medicine, says that there are no particular causes of FRAPs in dogs. They are just a way for your wagging tail to release energy, which you never know how long they were holding inside. To deal with their stress. Or, if you had left your pup at home and they had nothing to play with, then they might zoom around your house to use that energy. The motion can also emerge when you return home after a long break, and they are just super happy to see their best friend again.
Are FRAPs Common In Dogs Or Puppies?
You might be surprised to learn that FRAPs are primarily seen in young dogs and puppies. Nevertheless, other dogs occasionally exhibit this behavior throughout their lives. Some dog owners encourage their pets to become highly excited by playing in unique ways or using specific sounds that trigger playful antics. At times, simply having an open space can also evoke this response.
At What Time Can You Expect Your Dog To Do Zoomies?
You can expect your dog to do zoomies at the following times:
Going Back Home
After a rough day at the office, you are all set to hit the bed. But someone is waiting for your return. Hence, you can expect them to take zoomies as a display of joy that their owner is back.
During Play
Do you enjoy spending weekends playing with your dog? If so, you can likely anticipate your pup engaging in FRAPs, showcasing their excitement for games of frisbee or fetch with you.
During Training
If your dog undergoes thorough training, they may become more energized. Consequently, they might begin to do zoomies, signaling that they are still not tired. Therefore, you can provide them with additional exercise.
After Defecating
Defecation brings comfort to their stomach, and once they are done with pooping, you can expect them to do zoomies. This shows that they are comfortable and ready to play again.
Happening Of Something Exciting
Like small children, dogs also get cheerful when something exciting happens. Hence, you can expect them to do zoomies and be relaxed so that even your pet is happy with the situation.
The Science Behind Zoomies
As discussed above, nobody is exactly sure of the root causes of zoomies. However, scientists have come up with a few theories that are easier to understand. They are as follows:
Releasing of Held Back Energy
In the case of zoomies, the releasing of held-back energy is one of the most commonly accepted theories. Like humans, even dogs need mental and physical stimulation to maintain their well-being. At times, when they don’t get the proper channel to show their excitement, such as not being able to play or go out for a casual walk, they can amaze you by doing Zoomies. According to Tuggs, Zoomies help your dog express their excitement. You must have come across children playing on the ground, enjoying different rides and swings. They do this because they are tired after sitting in their classrooms the whole day. So, your dog feels the same and runs around in joy.
Haven't gotten through yet? It's similar to a pressure cooker, where pressure continually builds up inside until the valve releases the steam. In the same way, your dog reacts similarly.
Expressing Emotionally
You might be considering zoomies as a form of physical energy. However, they are not limited to that. It can be a powerful form for dogs to express themselves emotionally. Your pet may experience zoomies to show the following:
Expressing Excitement
Expectations, happiness, and joy are crucial factors that can elevate their energy significantly, resulting in playful zoomies.
Relieving Stress
Don’t assume you’re the only one feeling stressed or upset in a situation. Your dog may share those feelings, too. As a result, giving them zoomies can help relieve their tension or pent-up anxiety. Earth Rated suggests that anxiety and stress can also lead to this behavior. Your pet might feel anxious for many reasons, such as being introduced to a new environment or fearing separation from you.
Communicating
Yes, some dog experts believe that your dog’s zoomies can be a simple form of communicating their needs to you. Just pay close attention to their style of barking or whether they are taking you somewhere. Hence, don’t ignore them; see what they are trying to tell you.
Bathing Them
It might sound funny to you, but after bathing them, many dog owners like you have noticed dogs doing zoomies. This can be due to the following reasons:
Sense Of Relief
After bathing your dog, it may feel relieved, especially if it dislikes the sensation of water and soap on its fur. Consequently, your dog might engage in zoomies as a way to celebrate the end of what it perceives as a distressing experience.
Rushing Adrenaline
Bathing seems like a usual thing for humans, but for your dog, it can be a stressful experience. They just don’t agree with the situation. So, your furry friend watches you closing off the taps, which relaxes it down, resulting in rushing adrenaline. There, you can see it zooming in the room or out on the terrace.
Drying Their Fur
Believe it or not, the feeling of wet fur is annoying for some dogs. If you recall how your dog instantly moves to dry its fur, then yes even he is part of the slot. You might watch them doing zoomies as a faster way to dry themselves and remove that extra water off their skin.
Now, you must wonder, why does bathing make them do zoomies? According to The Canny Company, there are three theories. The first is when you are bathing your dog; you keep holding onto them so they don’t go out of that door. This offers them a feeling of arrest as if they are not allowed to move. Once you put your dog’s bathing essentials back, it takes that message that you are about to set them free. Hence, they celebrate doing zoomies.
Another theory regards the wetness of the animal’s fur. You might have seen in several films how dogs and wolves instantly move to dry their fur. So, your dog just doesn’t like to get their fur wet, and like wolves, it even tries their best to avoid coming in contact with the water. However, if they do, they get rid of the extra water by doing zoomies. In this way, they return to their original appearance and feel more confident returning to their zone.
Last is the number of baths. How often do you give your furry friend’s body a taste of water? Because even that affects the degree of zoomies your dog will do. If you don’t bathe your dog that often, then once or twice will also irritate it. Why? As they are not used to staying clean, hence the shower will be a surprise to them. But, if you have assigned a bathing day for them, then your dog will be mild on doing zoomies, as their body is used to that hygiene.
The Body Clock
Humans have a body clock and adjust their daily activities and resting time accordingly. In the same way, dogs also follow their routine. And that can affect when they will probably do zooming. The excitement can take place in the morning and evening:
Zoomies in The Morning
A lot of dogs experience sudden energy bursts in the morning. Why? Because dogs tend to be more naturally active during the early hours of the day. Therefore, see if your dog is that much active or not.
Zoomies in The Evening
If not in the morning, dogs experience high energy levels in the evening as well. This is because they are preparing to get some rest. Hence, notice your dog’s behaviour in the evening.
Depends On The Breed’s Kind
All dogs show their excitement by doing zoomies. However, there are still some breeds that do more than other dogs. For instance, Border Collies, Jack Russell Terriers, and Australian Shepherds are some high-energy breeds that can leave you startled. Therefore, see what breed your dog is to have a better idea about the zoomies it will do.
Types Of Zoomies
Did you know that Zoomies vary based on the dog’s individual personalities and breeds? Some common kinds of zoomies are as follows:
Zoomies In Circles
Does your dog do zoomies in circles? If so, then they must run around at full speed. Plus, the circular motion is often seen in dogs with a high prey drive or herding instincts.
Bouncing Zoomies
The next type is bouncing zoomies. Here, your dog will jump in the air and bounce around with happiness. These zoomies are usually seen in pretty energetic dogs that never get tired of playing. Having toys, any exciting event, or playing sessions are the reasons why your dog bounces in the air.
Zoomies In Figure Eight
The name only gives you a hint that you will witness your dog doing zoomies in such a pattern. The thing is that your dog will swiftly change its direction and form an eight. Dogs with athletic bodies and the ones that can quickly move do zooming in this manner. Besides, it gets started through activities like fetching and other training.
Chase Zoomies
This might be a usual form of zoomies that your dog must be experiencing with you. Here, either you are playing chase and catch with your dog, Or your dog is doing the same with an imaginary prey. Chase zoomies are often seen in those dogs, who have a strong prey drive or like to chase. The dog switches to chasing zoomies when it sees other dogs running and considers that an invitation to run with them. If there are no dogs, then moving objects can serve the same purpose or training sessions where chasing games are involved.
When Should A Dog Owner Worry About Zoomies?
Usually, zoomies are considered normal and healthy. But, some situations can arise where you see your dog doing zoomies more than necessary. Those conditions are:
Unable To Control Behaviour
If you see your dog having excessive zoomies or struggling to control their behavior, it signals a clear concern that requires your attention to understand what might be causing this hyperactivity.
Stress
As mentioned above, doing zoomies is a way to let go of stress. But if you see your dog doing it with other symptoms of anxiety, such as panting or destroying things in your house. Then, that means it is time to consult your vet or animal behaviourist specialist.
Physical Health Problems
It is rare, but extra zoomies can be an indication that your dog is experiencing some existing medical conditions. If you don’t want to lose your pet so soon, then it is better to take them to your vet. They will be able to guide you on how to tackle the situation.
Tips For Managing Zoomies
You don’t need to get scared by Zoomies as you can manage your dog’s excitement. How? We are sharing a few tips that you can use in your pet’s case:
Daily Exercise
At the start of the blog, we told you that one of the biggest causes of zoomies is the energy your dog has been waiting to use. Hence, to prevent your dog from doing zoomies, plan daily exercises for your furry fellow. Arrange time for daily walks. Take them along with you to a nearby park, where they feel relaxed. Get some toys for them or play games like fetch the ball or tug-of-war. In this way, your dog will release their energy, reducing their zoomies.
Make A Routine
One of the joys of petting a dog is their ability to follow routines. Therefore, establish a schedule for your pet that includes specific times for feeding, playing, and walking. Strive to get them accustomed to this timetable to prevent boredom and excessive zoomies. A clock can help balance their energy, allowing them to recognize when it's time for each activity.
Arrange Playdates
Is your dog pretty social and does not howl at other dogs? Then, consider yourself lucky as you are allowed to arrange playdates. Just keep an eye on them while they are playing with other dogs. Furthermore, make sure that they play with dogs that carry the same level of energy. Otherwise, your dog will feel super bored, spoiling the point of playdates. Therefore, select dogs that share the same energy and see how your dog enjoys that.
Grab Their Interest
Like kids, you need to grab the interest of your dog as well. And make sure that it remains that way too. For instance, they can be introduced to different kinds of environments. This will help your dog get familiar with several surroundings without feeling upset or doing zoomies. Plus, watching you with them will add to their relief that they are not alone in the new place. As a result, your dog will look forward to this exploration and decrease zoomies.
Proper Training Sessions
Training sessions play a crucial role in a dog’s development, offering both stability and mental stimulation. Begin by teaching your puppy new tricks, such as basic commands and identifying different scents, alongside other activities. This training will not only promote better sleep for your dog but also enhance your bond with them.
Avoid Exposure To Loud Noises
As noted earlier, certain dog breeds experience zoomies more frequently than others. If your dog is particularly sensitive to loud noises, it's best to keep him in a quiet room. This approach also applies outdoors; try to avoid taking him to crowded areas or places with heavy traffic.
Conclusion
This brings us to the end of the blog. We hope you now understand the causes of zoomies, the different types, and how to reduce their energy levels. If the behavior becomes concerning, please consult a veterinarian.
