Dogs are silly little friends who make us laugh with all of their little quirks and silly animal behavior. When you think of a dog you think of a playful and energetic spirit. Sometimes that spirit leads mans best friend into a silly behavior we call the “zoomies.”
The term zoomies can also be called FRAP “frenetic random activity period”. Both terms are referring to a sudden burst of uncontrolled energy. This can make for some hilarious instagram posts for dog lovers, but can also be a source of stress for the human owner.
We wonder what is going on in a dogs brain when they suddenly burst into a full blown sprint around the house and run back and forth at top speed chasing after a room full of imaginary cats. Did they catch some smell in the air that triggered a deep part of their hidden wolf DNA? Did our pet dog forget about all the years of domestication and revert back to a primal urge to run free in the open plains?
This behavior can be funny but also confusing. Is my dog excited? Scared? Did my pup just lose it’s mind?
Most dogs don’t like bath time. My dog hates bath time, but right after a bath she gets the zoomies. Why in the world would this happen?
Common Reasons For Zoomies After a Bath
- Releasing pent-up energy: Some dogs may feel anxious during bath time. You can tell if they are anxious by their body language. They endure bath time and don’t understand why their dog owners subject them to such torture. Once the bath is over they feel a sense of relief. This can cause a sudden burst of energy and excitement that explodes into a case of the zoomies.
- Wet Fur: Some dogs don’t like getting wet. Some dogs shake themself off but other dogs might try to get rid of the water by running around and rolling on the ground. They might even have some water in their ears that they are trying to get out. We all know how uncomfortable it can be to have water in our ears.
- Playfulness: There are also dogs who love bath time! For those pups that love a good bath they may feel reenergized after a bath and get that same burst of energy. I guess bath time can go both ways. So if you want to make a funny social media post for your dog, give them a bath and get the camera ready.
How to Handle the Zoomies
While the zoomies can be entertaining it can also be hard to manage if you have a big dog like a German Shepherd. Good luck if you have more than one large breed dog in your house. Here are some quick tips for zoomie time:
- Give your dog some extra room to run around. A domestic dog doesn’t have the same open space as their wild ancestors. Encourage them to move into a larger room where they can run around without knocking over your mom’s priceless vase and preserve your mental health.
- Giving your dog space is important but it’s also important to be close by when they have the zoomies so you can ensure they don’t hurt themselves or damage anything in the house.
- Provide toys: Giving your canine companion toys to play with can help redirect their energy and prevent them from running around aimlessly. Consider moving toys for dogs by Bullibone. Have you met our Spin-a-Bone? The perfect zoomies companion.
- Stay calm: Sometimes it can be hard to hold back emotion. Yelling or getting frustrated will make dogs more anxious and may prolong the behavior. We want to provide emotional support for our pups, not create more anxiety.
Health Benefits of Zoomies
What if we told you that zoomies can actually be a good thing?
- Dogs zoomies provide an outlet for excess energy. It allows them to engage in an intense burst of physical activity. Any physical activity in todays lethargic society is great for health.
- The joy and excitement of zoomies stimulate the brain and fire up neurons that provide mental enrichment and prevent prolonged boredom.
- Zoomies are a natural outlet for stress. It allows pets to release built-up tension and anxiety.
Zoomies are indeed one of the silly quirks hidden away in a dogs genes that we get to experience as pet owners. Make sure to give them space, toys to play with, and supervision to help manage the behavior. This is all part of showing your furry friend unconditional love.
Zoomies are a reminder of the playful and energetic nature of an amazing animal. Even though it can feel like a moment of chaos, zoomies can be fun for dogs and their human companion.
So, if you notice your pup having a case of dog zoomies, don’t worry. It’s just a natural expression of their energy and excitement. Embrace the moment, provide them with a safe place to play, and enjoy the show. After all, the zoomies are just a natural dog behavior that makes them such beloved and entertaining companions.