Why do dogs walk in circles?

My master is lazy; he simply flops onto the bed without inspecting for scorpions, stones, or broken bottles. If you’re wondering why your dog is walking in circles, have you ever considered if the dog is also wondering why you don’t? Walking in circles before bedtime is believed to have something to do with the wild and primitive ancestry of dogs.

Dogs’ behavior of walking in circles before bedtime is considered an evolutionary holdover. Primitive dogs that have to sleep in the snow, under the stars, and on the leaf-covered forest floor need to make their “nest” as comfortable as possible. They need to trample undergrowth so that the snow formation is comfortable for their bodies.

Another reason is self-preservation. Dogs walk in circles before bed to ensure they are safe from predators as well as small animals, snakes, spiders and scorpions that can harm them while they sleep. Walking in circles is an indication that the dog is about to poop. Owners should take the dog out immediately to avoid accidents inside the house. The dog walks in circles before pooping to avoid pooping in the area marked by the scent of other dogs.

A dog that suddenly walks in circles without lying down or pooping may be due to a medical problem. Ear mite infestation would cause the dog to favor irritated and infected ear so he would walk in circles. An infection in the inner ear, one of the body’s balance centers, would throw the dog off balance. The dog may bow its head, stoop, or walk in circles. Although it is a medical concern, ear mite infection can be easily treated.

A dog that walks in circles can be affected by canine distemper, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), neosporosis, brain tumor and neurological problems. These are serious medical conditions that would need immediate medical attention. The cerebellum is the area of ​​the brain that controls motor ability. Once a tumor develops in this area, the pet will become confused and walk in circles.

Neosporosis, the disease caused by parasites in raw meat, affects the spinal cord and muscles. The infected dog walked in circles with its head lolling to one side. Neosporosis is a serious disease, which can cause brain damage and death of the pet.

One of the symptoms of SLE is walking in circles. This degenerative disease that causes arthritis and muscle weakness is most common in German Shepherds, Poodles, Beagles, and Sheepdogs.