tail chasing - normal or not?

[Jennifer Hughes]

Not sure where to post this question, but...

Is tail-chasing normal behaviour? I read somewhere (can't remember where) that it was a sign of boredom and not healthy. I find this difficult to believe.

Tanna started in the last month. She gets really into it, and it usually happens after she has tried unsuccessfully to get my attention to play with her (you know, the pawing your leg while you are trying to work). She doesn't do anything else remotely destructive or boredom-motivated (as far as I can tell). It's pretty funny to watch.

Just looking for some reassurance, I guess.

[Marsha]

I had never heard that it wasn't normal. My puppy did it when he was younger....not so much now. It could be that he can't do it as easily as he's gotten bigger, because now he sometimes barks at it playfully but doesn't go into the full chasing mode. Also both behaviors would come at a similar time as yours. He would try to initiate play with someone, and would start chasing his tail when the person didn't play, almost as if he were trying his best to get our attention or make us laugh (which it did). Our cats have always chased their tails, too, but I'm sure that's normal in cats!!

[Hee Yung Lee]

It makes sense to me that he may just be trying to get your attention. It could also be that his anal glands are full. I know when Bogart had to have his glands expressed, he chased his butt (he doesn't have much of a tail) around. Does he ever scoot his butt on the ground?

[Jill Ramsey]

I've heard that chasing the tail can be a sign of compulsive behavior disorder, but it could be bordom, too. Usually, if it's cbd, it would be all the time. Is it just once in a while, or more often? Check with your vet.

Finnegan did do it when he was younger.

[Jennifer Hughes]

It only happens once in awhile - I've noticed four times in the last month or two. She just seems to settle down and hang out after a few minutes of catch the tail.

I also read it could represent obsessive compulsive behaviour, but you're right, you would think it would happen more frequently (unless this portends an ominous future) and you would think there would be other weird behaviour.

I'll ask the vet next time I'm there. Just thought if lots of other dogs did it too and were normal, mine probably is too! :p

[Marsha]

I know mine has done it. He actually has caught his tail and ran round in a circle with it in his mouth!! And our pug used to occasionally do it when he was a puppy, but he couldn't come close to catching that little curled up thing!! The pug didn't do it as he got older, and Spanky hasn't done it in awhile either.