If you have questions about a few common “weird” dog behaviours, our team is here to help with quick answers!

“Why does my dog lick their paws?”

This is a common query that owners will raise with us, with many being unsure whether it is a relaxation- or boredom-related behaviour, or a sign of another health problem.

Whilst any dog will lick at their paws every now and again, recurrent paw licking is most commonly secondary to skin irritation. This is often a result of underlying allergies (such as food or environmental allergies), sometimes with yeast or bacterial overgrowth on the skin worsening the issue. However, it can also occur due to localised irritations (such as grass seeds or insect bites), or because of other health issues such as arthritis or anxiety.

“Why is my dog eating their own poo?”

Whilst poo-eating behaviour (known as coprophagia) may help very young pups to colonise their gut with healthy bacteria, persistent coprophagia in older pups or adult dogs involving their own poo is not considered normal.

Coprophagia can occur due to medical reasons (such as malnutrition, intestinal worms, or other gut or organ diseases), behavioural issues (e.g., anxiety or compulsive disorders), or just as a “distasteful” scavenging habit that the dog needs gentle help breaking!

“My dog chases their own tail – is this a problem?”

Energetic dogs may occasionally chase their own tails as a game, particularly if they receive the positive reinforcement of their owner’s attention and laughter for doing so!

However, if this behaviour happens frequently or results in damage when the pet actually catches and chews on their own tail, it can indicate problems such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders, or spinal/nerve issues.

The bottom line? If your pet shows any “out of the ordinary” behaviours, it’s a good idea to seek personalised advice from our knowledgeable vets. And please don’t feel shy – provided there’s no harm involved, we enjoy learning about the goofy habits of our animal patients!