Excitement, impatience, stress… pacing can mean many things to humans.

The same goes for your dog. The reasons why your companion is constantly pacing around the house can be just as varied as ours. Separation anxiety, boredom, frustration, the desire to mate… the causes are endless.

In any case, never ignore a dog that is circling.

Observe him and try to understand why he is constantly walking around the house. You may have missed something.

When you notice this type of behavior , sit down and ask yourself if there are any other symptoms that may indicate an underlying cause that may require medical treatment.

Some dogs are simply more nervous and use this type of stimulation to relieve their anxiety.

Others will pace when they are agitated by something or someone inside or outside the house.

Some dogs may also circle because they are simply trying to get your attention.

You know your dog better than anyone. If his behavior seems unusual, make an appointment with your veterinarian to understand the possible causes and learn how to minimize or even eliminate this behavior.

There are also certain medical conditions that can cause your dog to pace.

Talk to your veterinarian if this phenomenon appears suddenly, is persistent, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as refusal to eat, rapid weight loss, excessive drooling, whining, or excessive thirst.

In the meantime, here are the reasons why a dog may be walking around the house non-stop:

 

My Dog Walks All Over the House: 13 Common Causes

1. Your dog is looking for something

Dogs have a very good memory. Unfortunately, they don’t always remember where they left what they are looking for.

If this is the case, your dog will be constantly walking around the house trying to find it.

This is why you should not continually move food or water sources . Dogs like routine, so no madness.

Your dog may also be looking for a companion who recently died.

It’s no secret that dogs form deep emotional bonds. If another animal or human has passed away, your dog may not understand and may continue to search for them.

2. Your dog is excited

An excited dog is full of energy. Try to see things from your pet’s point of view. Maybe he hasn’t seen you all day, and now that you’re finally home from work, he wants some petting or a walk.

Establish a routine so your dog understands the appropriate times for what he wants.

Also, be careful about the words you use around your dog. Dogs live in the moment; if you say “out” or “walk,” he hears “walk” right away and not after your activity.

In other words, if you use a word that your dog recognizes, he will get excited and walk until he gets what he wants.

3. Stimulation by an external element

Dogs have extremely keen hearing and sense of smell. That’s why they sometimes seem to be staring at the wall and growling at something you can’t see.

For example, your dog may detect mice in your cellar or insects in your walls. In such a case, he will tend to walk around, trying to locate the exact location of the intruders.

If your dog is walking in circles and suddenly stops in a particular spot, pay attention . He may have found parasites and is letting you know.

Of course, it’s also possible that your dog just hears something outside like a cat barking or hissing.

Always remember; just because you don’t hear it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

4. Stress, worry and anxiety

Loud noises, such as storms and fireworks, are a common stress trigger for dogs.

Changes in routine, such as late nights out or changes in feeding schedules, can also be disruptive to canines.

Also, the biggest source of stress is separation anxiety . Dogs do not like to be separated from human company, especially when they are young.

If so, reassure your dog that you will always come home.

If your dog is stressed , try to identify the trigger and eliminate it.

To relax your pet, you can use natural remedies such as CBD for animals , derived from hemp and known to be a particularly effective natural sedative for dogs .

If the problem does not go away, your dog may have an anxiety disorder. In this case, call an animal behaviorist.

Also read: CBD, a solution for stressed dogs

5. Boredom and lack of stimulation

Like us, if a dog doesn’t know what to do, he will start going around in circles . A dog can’t read a book or watch television. So he will look for other entertainment.

It is essential that your dog receives sufficient stimulation during the day .

Walks are also essential. Taking a dog for a walk is not only essential for their body, it is also just as important for their mental health.

If your dog is not getting enough exercise and stimulation, he will become restless. Don’t let this happen. A bored dog will rarely be content to pace and will eventually become destructive.

6. Heat

If you have an unspayed female, be aware that she goes into heat every six months. This cycle lasts about three weeks and your dog will be restless throughout this period.

In this case, your pet will constantly want to go out to attract males during his walk.

The only way to prevent this is to spay your dog . If that is not an option for you, then you will just have to wait.

Just know that a female dog in heat goes through personality changes. If you have multiple pets, this can cause friction in the household.

7. Poor diet and nutrition

Dogs can also be sensitive to “high sugar.”

Unfortunately, poor quality dog ​​food and treats are loaded with sugar.

All of this can make your dog particularly excitable even if it is temporary.

Ideally choose a quality food . Sugar can be harmful to dogs and cause obesity, diabetes and dental problems.

Find out if your dog prefers wet or dry food and select the best one you can afford.

Treats should also be considered and consumed in moderation. Avoid sugary cookies whenever possible.

8. Insufficient exercise

Every dog ​​has different exercise needs. If they are not met, your dog will become frustrated.

No dog can rest if he has excess energy to burn.

At a minimum, dogs need at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day . However, some dogs need up to two hours.

This exercise should be more than just a walk, unless your dog is older. Canines love to run. Take your pet to the park with his ball and let him burn off some energy. The more cardio your dog gets, the more exhausted and happy he will be.

In many cases, physical and mental exercise solves a dog’s desire to walk around the house nonstop.

9. Attract attention

Sometimes a dog’s pacing is nothing more than attention seeking. Much depends on how you react when your dog starts his wandering.

Ignoring your dog is risky. He may very well have serious medical problems . But on the other hand, dogs are smart.

Once they realize that circling gets him attention, they will take advantage of it.

One thing is for sure; a dog should never be scolded for roaming the house. He will continue to wander regardless, even if it is just to get attention.

Let your dog walk for a minute or two.

If they stop and settle down, he probably took a chance. If he continues and you can’t find any other explanation, ask yourself why he wants your attention.

The most common explanation may be that he needs to go to the bathroom. And he can’t take care of that without your help.

Take him for a walk and see if that helps.

If that’s not the reason and your dog just wants to be petted, that’s okay too. Dogs are part of the family, after all. Your pet may be feeling a little anxious. Reassure him. It won’t take long but will do him a world of good.

10. Pain and discomfort

An older dog that paces back and forth may suffer from arthritis. Large dog breeds are particularly prone to this problem.

Dog arthritis is painful and cannot be cured.

Fortunately, it can be managed. With some lifestyle changes, medications, and supplements like CBD, you can improve your dog’s quality of life.

11. Liver disease

When a dog has liver problems , it is unable to eliminate toxins properly.

Restlessness is a side effect of this problem.

In this case, besides gastrointestinal problems, dogs lose their appetite and weight very quickly.

Liver disease can become fatal if left untreated. Fortunately, it can be managed with dietary changes and medications.

If in doubt, make sure your dog does not have liver disease by taking him to a veterinarian.

12. Cushing’s syndrome

Cushing’s syndrome is a disease that affects older dogs.

Also known as hyperadrenocorticism, Cushing’s syndrome is caused by excessive secretion of cortisol.

Cortisol is the stress hormone, which means that a dog with Cushing’s disease will be constantly agitated. This will naturally lead them to pace around the house non-stop.

Other symptoms include excessive thirst, constant need to urinate (especially at night), panting, and weight gain.

Treatment relies on accurate diagnosis, which can be tricky. This syndrome shares symptoms with many less serious illnesses.

If your dog is diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome, he will usually be prescribed oral medication.

13. Neurological tumors

This is one of the worst-case scenarios, but unfortunately it is a possibility.

On rare occasions, dogs can develop brain tumors. If they do occur, they usually do so in older dogs . Aside from restlessness, symptoms of brain tumors in dogs include:

• Strange behavior, including aggression.
• Uncoordinated gait, leading to circling and clumsiness.
• Loss of sight or hearing.
• Excessive panting.
• Sudden convulsions and muscle tremors.

If you suspect your dog has a brain tumor, have him examined promptly. The prognosis for a dog with a brain tumor varies depending on the severity of the tumor. Euthanasia is sometimes the most humane option.

But if the tumor is small enough and you have adequate insurance, surgery may be an option.