Why do dogs get the Zoomies?
If you’ve got a dog or have friends that do, you’ve probably seen them running in circles at full speed around the backyard or at the park.
Maybe they even do it inside! You’ve also probably wondered what they’re doing and why they’re doing it. Were they spooked out? Had they been stung by a bee? What’s more likely is that they simply had a case of the zoomies. Northshore Pet Resort has everything you need to know about the zoomies, so keep reading to learn more!
What are the zoomies?
We’re so glad you asked! The zoomies have been deemed as Frenetic Random Activity Periods or FRAPs for short. This is where a dog explodes with a sudden burst of energy that has been built up, similar to when a volcano erupts. While dogs may seem calm and content for most of the day, they are active animals and do like to move. When they haven’t been very active, they need to release this energy, and this comes in the form of the zoomies. The zoomies can also occur when a dog feels nervous. Just like humans have a fight or flight response, which involves a release of adrenaline from the amygdala, so do dogs. Anytime a dog is unable to express its natural behaviour and basic instinctive responses, this can give rise to the zoomies.
When do the zoomies happen?
Given that the zoomies are a way for dogs to release their pent-up energy, they can often happen first thing in the morning after a long sleep. If you’ve been at work all day and you return home and your dog starts having the zoomies, this is also very common. When dogs are being restrained or walked on a leash, this can actually be quite stressful for them, which can also be a trigger for the zoomies. Even though they’re exercising, as soon as dogs are let off the leash, they go wild! While younger dogs are generally more likely to have an attack of the zoomies, older dogs can still have them, but they probably won’t last as long as their younger counterparts.
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