According to Petful (Formerly Pets Adviser®), there are several reasons that dogs chase their tails, including:
- Being confined in small quarters where movement is restricted.
- Boredom, especially in older dogs.
- The presence of fleas or irritated anal glands.
- Canine compulsive disorder (rare, but can be treated with anti-obsessive medications).
- Hereditary tendency, with the behavior being passed down from generations, especially in breeds like German shepherds, Australian cattle dogs, Border Collie's and bull terriers.
- High cholesterol, which could mean that the dog’s cholesterol levels have blocked the flow of brain hormones that control mood and behavior (more exercise could be the solution, in this case).
- Not knowing why the tail is there to begin with. This part of a puppy’s body is fascinating to him, especially if he has no other playmates.
When Tail Chasing Becomes Obsessive
While most tail chasing stops as a puppy gets older, many adult dogs continue this practice, sometimes just to get attention and sometimes just to pass the time. Even though tail chasing can be entertaining for all involved, at times, you may want to distract your dog from this behavior by offering her a ball or a Frisbee to chase every so often.
According to the book Why Dogs Do That: A Collection of Curious Canine Behaviors, in some cases, a visit to your veterinarian may be necessary. If you notice "Fido" gnawing and scratching at his hindquarters, he could have a skin ailment or a wound prompting him to go after his tail. Also noted in the article is that epileptic-type disorders, which bring about seizures, could potentially be the culprit. If your dog exhibits any seizure-type problems, seek your veterinarian’s help immediately.
This pupster is having a ball chasing his own tail:
While celebrity trainer Cesar Millan thinks that tail chasing is sometimes just a canine’s reaction to all the excitement in his life, it could be simply that they just want to have fun.
Source: Petful (Formerly Pets Adviser®)