Tail chasing in dogs: When it’s normal and when to worry

• Paw licking in dogs has many possible causes, and allergies are the most common. Anxiety and compulsive behaviors are much less common, and they’re usually considered only after medical issues have been ruled out.
• Early detection of excessive paw licking can help improve outcomes. Careful observations about when and how often the licking happens provide valuable information for veterinarians.
• Effective treatment depends on identifying the underlying cause. Early intervention helps prevent raw paws, secondary infections, and ongoing discomfort.

Spinning in circles and chasing their tail is a funny, stereotypical canine behavior, at least the first few times. Tail chasing is most often a normal, harmless form of play, but in some dogs it can also arise from boredom or stress and, in more serious cases, develop into a compulsive behavior linked to a behavior disorder. It’s important for pet parents to be able to distinguish between normal play and an obsessive behavior in their dog by understanding:

• When tail chasing is normal and what the signs are of abnormal tail attachment
• What dogs are more at risk of developing anxiety or compulsive disorders
• What to note for your veterinarian about your dog’s behavior
• What the treatment is for anxiety and behavioral disorders in dogs

Treatment for anxiety-driven and compulsive behavioral disorders in dogs often involves addressing the causes of their underlying stress, behavior modification techniques, and medication. A virtual vet appointment is a convenient way to show a veterinarian your dog’s tail-chasing behavior. They can discuss potential causes and guide treatment without causing your dog more stress with an in-person visit.

Tail chasing can be a normal, playful behavior in dogs. However, tail chasing exists on a spectrum and can be a sign that something is wrong. Tail chasing is likely normal and playful if it:

• Is occasional, playful, or attention-seeking behavior
• Occurs in puppies discovering their bodies
• Stops easily when your dog is distracted

Your dog’s tail chasing may be abnormal or compulsive if:

• It’s frequent, intense, or seems to be triggered by stress or boredom
• Your dog seems unable to stop or becomes frustrated
• It results in injury, hair loss, or skin trauma
• It interferes with your dog’s ability to do other things

Repetitive tail chasing can be a sign of a canine behavior disorder, such as an obsessive-compulsive or anxiety-related condition. To help determine whether your dog is exhibiting normal or abnormal behavior, note the frequency of the tail chasing, whether they can be easily distracted once they’ve started, and whether they’re chewing or injuring their tail in the process.

Understanding tail chasing as a sign of a behavior disorder

Canine behavior disorders occur when normal behaviors, such as tail chasing, become excessive, repetitive, or maladaptive.

Compulsive tail chasing can be one manifestation of canine compulsive disorder (CCD), and anxiety disorders frequently overlap with CCD and can play a role in triggering or worsening the behavior. Stress, conflict, frustration, or lack of environmental enrichment can also contribute. Owners often start noticing repetitive behaviors during household changes or stressful transitions, such as moving, introduction of a new pet, or separation issues.

Canine behavior disorders are medical conditions rather than signs of misbehavior or intentional “acting out.”

Tail chasing can occur in any dog, but repetitive or compulsive patterns are more common for certain ages, breeds, and environments. Evidence links these cases to anxiety, frustration, or compulsive tendencies.

Tail chasing often begins in adolescence or early adulthood, around six months to two years of age. The behavior may start as play or investigation but becomes habitual or self-reinforcing if it provides stimulation or reduces stress.

While a dog of any breed can develop compulsive tail chasing, some breeds are overrepresented in clinical studies, including:

• Bull terriers
• German shepherds
• Staffordshire bull terriers
• Dobermans
• Cattle dogs
• Shiba Inus

These dog breeds are high-drive, energetic, and sensitive to their environment, making them more likely to develop anxiety-related or compulsive behaviors.

A dog’s environment and lifestyle can also impact their likelihood of developing an anxiety or behavioral disorder. Understimulation, isolation, and unpredictable daily routines increase risk, and stressful life changes, such as moving, separation from an owner or housemate, or conflict, may trigger behavior problems.

Other contributing factors include:

• Medical issues involving the tail or rear: Irritation of the tail, anus, or anal glands from fleas, ticks, and anal gland impaction can start tail-focused behavior that then becomes habitual.
• Genetic or brain chemistry influences: Abnormalities in serotonin regulation may contribute to the development of an anxiety or compulsive behavioral disorder.
• Early weaning or poor socialization: A puppy that is weaned too early or not socialized appropriately is at a higher risk of developing problems later in life.

Certain patterns surrounding your dog’s tail-chasing behavior can help a veterinarian determine whether it’s something you need to be concerned about. Document patterns such as:

• When it happens (time of day, before or after certain events)
• Frequency and duration
• Whether your dog can be distracted or stops on their own
• Presence of physical signs (redness, broken hair, sores)

Recording a video of the behavior can also be of help, especially if your dog is unlikely to do it in a vet’s office. An online vet can be useful in observing the behavior in real time and can help rule out medical causes like parasites, skin irritation, or anal gland problems. Consistent, detailed observation helps vets create effective behavior management plans.

Compulsive tail chasing requires a comprehensive plan that addresses both the behavior itself and any contributing factors. An examination is important for a veterinarian to rule out medical factors, such as skin disease, parasites, or anal gland problems, before they can conclude the problem is behavioral.

For dogs with suspected or diagnosed compulsive disorders, treatment typically combines environmental modification, behavior modification, and when indicated, medication.

Identifying and minimizing sources of stress — such as changes in routine, prolonged and frequent isolation, and lack of stimulation — can help. Behavior modification can redirect your dog’s energy, boredom, or need for enrichment toward something beneficial. This can involve providing more enrichment through puzzle or interactive toys and exercise or training games, and redirecting your dog’s attention toward something positive when they engage in tail-chasing behavior. Punishing your dog for chasing their tail or other compulsive behaviors isn’t helpful; if they have an anxiety or behavioral disorder, they can’t help these behaviors, and punishment may make anxiety worse.

In some cases, medication may be warranted. A vet can help determine whether anti-anxiety or compulsive behavior medications are appropriate. These medications often involve serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine, or tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as clomipramine. A vet can also treat other medical conditions that may be contributing to the anxiety and tail chasing, such as anal gland issues, external parasites, and skin problems.

For dogs with severe, persistent, or escalating compulsive behavior, referral to a board-certified veterinary behaviorist can be especially valuable. Veterinary behaviorists are specialists who complete extensive advanced training in animal behavior and pharmacology. They diagnose complex behavior disorders, develop individualized treatment plans, and prescribe and manage specialized medication protocols when needed. They also work collaboratively with your primary veterinarian and qualified trainers to support long-term progress.

“Behavior disorders often take a long time to get under control and may require lifelong management,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on the Vetster platform. “Patience is a must when navigating anxiety and canine compulsive disorders.”

Dogs who chase their tails due to anxiety or obsessive behavior often become more stressed in unfamiliar settings. A virtual appointment lets a veterinarian observe your dog’s behavior in their normal environment. This relaxed context helps the vet distinguish between playful behavior, anxiety-related tail chasing, or compulsive behavior disorders while minimizing the stress that can alter how a dog behaves when they’re in a clinic. Some cases may still need an in-person exam, particularly if physical causes, like skin irritation or anal gland issues, are suspected.

During a virtual appointment, an online vet can:

• Review your dog’s history, environment, and triggers, and assess live or recorded videos
• Discuss whether behavior patterns suggest anxiety, frustration, or medical discomfort
• Recommend enrichment, predictable routines, redirection techniques, and positive reinforcement strategies
• Advise on next steps, including suggesting in-person follow-up or referral to a veterinary behaviorist, and help monitor progress

If a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) exists, the online veterinarian may prescribe medication for anxiety or compulsive disorders. The ability to establish a VCPR remotely varies by location, and when a VCPR cannot be established virtually, the vet can still provide education and recommend over-the-counter options where appropriate. Medication decisions always depend on your dog’s medical history, the severity of symptoms, and local prescribing regulations and are at the discretion of the veterinarian.

A virtual examination can provide many benefits, such as:

• Reducing stress by keeping your dog in a familiar environment, allowing the vet to see how your dog behaves naturally at home
• Easy follow-ups and coordination with local clinics, trainers, or veterinary behaviorists
• Accessible support to allow early intervention to prevent behaviors from escalating

Why is my dog obsessed with chasing his tail?

A dog spinning in circles and chasing their tail can be normal play; however, if tail chasing becomes obsessive or leads to self-mutilation, it may be a sign of an underlying behavioral or physical issue. Compulsive tail chasing can indicate an anxiety or behavioral disorder, or a medical condition affecting the tail, anus, or anal glands. If your dog constantly chases their tail and is difficult to distract when doing so, talk to a veterinarian to help determine the underlying cause of the behavior.

What dog breeds are prone to chasing their tail?

Certain high-drive, energetic, sensitive breeds appear over-represented in cases of abnormal or compulsive tail chasing, including bull terriers, German shepherds, Staffordshire bull terriers, Dobermans, cattle dogs, and Shiba Inus. However, these breeds can still engage in normal, harmless tail chasing, and while their temperament may increase the risk, most dogs in these breeds never develop compulsive tail chasing.

Could tail chasing be a sign of anxiety in dogs?

Tail chasing can occur for many reasons. In many dogs, especially puppies, it’s a normal, playful behavior. Some dogs also chase their tails when they’re excited, seeking attention, or bored. In other cases, however, frequent or intense tail chasing can be associated with underlying anxiety or with a behavior disorder, such as canine compulsive disorder (CCD). If a dog chases their tail often, cannot be easily interrupted, or shows signs of injury, such as broken hair, sores, or skin trauma, it’s important to seek veterinary care to determine whether the behavior is normal play, anxiety-related, compulsive in nature, or due to a medical issue, such as skin irritation or an anal gland disease.

Disclaimer: This article, its content, and its related references do not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet is showing any symptoms that could indicate a medical emergency, please seek immediate emergency care.