Why Do Dogs Get Zoomies?

Zoomies, otherwise known as Frenetic Random Activity Periods’ or FRAPs occurs when dogs release their pent-up energy. There are no set patterns to when a dog’s zoomies can occur as it’s individual to every pup.

Typically, their zoomies will not last very long and can will end when they’ve simply ran out of energy.

Zoomies are an extremely common behaviour for dogs. Whilst they’ll occur more in younger pups, older dogs can also get a short sprint of zoomies. The only reason pooches get zoomies is to burn off their bursts of energy. It will usually be in a tight little pattern. From running around the home in circles to back and forth or even in a figure of eight.

Depending on why they have extra energy might change how their zoomies look or when they partake in them. It doesn’t mean they’re not getting enough exercise, but it's more like a burst of arousal where they must shake off some excess energy. 

Zoomies are caused by arousal, which is often excitement, but it can also be down to a few different things. Arousal can build up when a dog is both happy and a bit nervous, so most of the time it’s a clear sign of a happy dog.

Happy pups will get excited over all kinds of things and to express that energy they will run around in little loops as quickly as they can. While there is no scientific data as to what really causes the zoomies, it is usually confident and happy dogs who can perform the behaviour.

A common mystery is the post poop zoomies where a dog will go to the toilet and seem to celebrate it with several loops around the garden looking quite pleased with themselves. It’s theorised that any sense of relief, even going to the toilet can cause dogs to get a burst of excitement that makes them want to run around for a solid minute. They really might be celebrating going to the toilet.

Owners are often left wondering why dogs get zoomies after a bath, but it’s quite common for them to want to run around after a wash.

Many of our beloved pets don’t love bath time and it’s a time where they just accept their fate to get it over and done with. By suppressing this anxiety, they can then have a big burst of energy once their bath at home is over with.

In some cases, even dogs who don’t mind a bath will have zoomies after it. They might find the towel drying element of bath time super exciting and just love to whizz around the house to dry off after it.

While many dogs have zoomies all throughout their life, adult dogs will tend to be quite situation specific to when they do it. Puppies on the other hand seem to get zoomies over almost anything.

Puppies’ energy levels are a little different to adult dogs. They sleep a lot more and as they’re growing and won’t be getting as much physical exercise as they might get when they’re older.

They have busy little brains and are easily excited so when they’re still developing and can’t go on long hikes, they tend to do a lot more zoomies. It can sometimes occur when they don’t have enough mental stimulation.

All puppies need plenty of enriching toys to play with and explore while they’re growing but even with all the mental stimulation in the world, you’re bound to see more zoomies in puppies. For then, the world is an exciting place with lots of new things to experience.

Puppies become adolescents at around six months and then adults at a year to two years. Some puppies will reach adolescence and find more situations and experiences far less exciting if they’ve been socialised to a lot of different things while others might remain quite excitable into their adult years.

When they’re fully matured, you will usually notice fewer bursts of seemingly random zoomies, and your dog might just get the zoomies after a meal or before they go out for a walk. It will usually become much more situation specific.

Zoomies are rarely harmful to our canine companions. The only time zoomies may not be ideal is if your pup is prone to getting over excited which can cause them to begin mouthing or other undesirable behaviours like humping. In these situations, you can distract them but stopping a dog mid zoom is more likely to get you knocked over than anything else.

 

The best way to distract your pup away from zoomies if you need their attention or if they might get too excited is through treats. You can either call them over or ask for some known behaviours in exchange for treats. Using something like the LickiMat Buddy Original with some tasty treats spread onto is perfect to help calm them down as licking is a very soothing for our canine companions.

For everything you need to keep your pup physically and mentally stimulated along with all your other doggy necessities, visit us online and in-store.