Why Do Dogs Get Zoomies After A Walk Or A Bath?
Have you occasionally seen your dogs get zoomies after a walk or a bath? Meaning that your dog is running around like crazy, spinning in circles, and jumping up and about his bed?
According to the American Kennel Club, that is known as the zoomies, or frenetic random activity periods (FRAPs).
So, why do dogs get zoomies after a walk or a bath? Zoomies are entirely natural dog behavior, so there is no reason to be alarmed. It simply means that your pet is excited or happy about something or trying to release some pent-up energy.
Young puppies around four weeks old will not have zoomies because they are not strong enough to run around like crazy. Nevertheless, you will see this in adult dogs if they are healthy and have a lot of energy.
However, you might be interested in knowing why dogs get zoomies after a walk, right? It can be something simple as your fluffy boy being too happy after the walk.
But let’s look into more detail about why zoomies occur in dogs.
Why Do Dogs Get Zoomies After A Walk?
- Your Dog Has Some Energy Left In The Body
One of the main reasons why dogs get zoomies after a walk is because they still have some energy left from the walk.
Not all dogs will get zoomies after having a walk because it depends on the dog’s breed, age, and exercise requirements.
Imagine your dog is young and needs to exercise 30 minutes daily, but you do it only for 15 minutes. Then the dog will get the zoomies because he is trying his best to get rid of the energy inside his body.
Another thing is the breed; like I mentioned before, While Australian Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and English Springer Spaniels will get zoomies with little exercise, the Pugs and Bulldogs won’t because they need the least activity.
However, suppose you are unsure about your dog’s breed. In that case, you can always ask your vet for a physical examination so they can determine the optimum exercise for your dog depending on its body type, the general level of fitness, weight, and age.
After that, you can establish a specific walking routine and not worry about why your four-legged friend gets zoomies after a walk because they will get the correct type of exercise that burns all of their energy.
- Your Dog Is Showing Excitement Or Happiness
Another reason dogs get zoomies after a walk is that they are trying to show excitement or happiness.
That perfectly explains why your dog is running here and there, spinning while barking and with the tongue out, right? The new faces, the new smells and the sounds, and even the change of scenery can be exciting for them.
You can even walk in a familiar neighborhood, but the dog is still happy about what the world offers. Discovering a new dog friend might also be a happy experience for your dog. Or if your dog gets a new toy while walking, that can also make him happy!
That means, even if you meet the exercise requirements, sometimes the dogs get zoomies after a walk because of all the excitement. Yes, you might be worried about an underlying problem when this often happens after a walk.
But you should not be concerned in such situations. Instead, you should be grateful that your dog is acting like a typical healthy pup.
As research is still ongoing in understanding zoomies, you can best evaluate the situation yourself because it is your dog, and you only know him the best.
Why Do Dogs Get Zoomies After A Bath?
Not only after a walk, but your dogs get zoomies after a bath too! It is another normal dog behavior, so you don’t have to think about it much.
But here are some reasons in case you were wondering what is happening.
- Your Dog Is Just Glad Because The Bath Is Over
If you have a dog that hates to be in the water, then he might be just glad that the bath is over, which is why he is having zoomies.
Running around happily, jumping up and down in excitement is how he lets go of the anxiety of having to bathe.
It can also be his way to release all the energy that was building up when he was in the water. After all, he was in the water without trying to move a muscle!
- Your Dog Is Trying To Dry Himself
As soon as your dog is out of the bath, you will be towel-drying him. But sometimes, this is not enough for your dog, who will try to dry himself running up and about the house like crazy.
It is similar to how we let the air dry our hair after a bath. Your dog might also rub his body against the sofas and bed sheets and roll on the carpets in an attempt to get the water out of his body.
- Your Dog Is Trying To Find His Scent
We like baths so much because we can look clean and smell good. But dogs are not like that. They like how they smell before the bath.
All the shampoo and soap smells are not the thing for your dog. That is why he will run around, roll on the carpets, or lie in the mud outside to find his old scent.
What Can You Do When Dogs Get Zoomies After A Walk Or A Bath?
Zoomies are typically a sign of a dog’s well-being and happiness. So, there is no need for concern.
Whenever the dogs get the zoomies after a walk and are by the roadside, you must keep a close eye on them. It is because accidents can happen sometimes. Your dog will assume you’re playing and become more excited if you try to chase him.
Even after a bath, watch out for your dog’s safety when they run through wet, hardwood, or tiled surfaces, and keep them away from staircases.
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