A Dog’s Way To Celebrate Life
For many dogs, the zoomies are just a way to celebrate life, basically, its a manifestation of their joie de vivre, (joy of life). And whats more worthy of celebrating than the sensation of satiety?
In a dogs past history, they had to work to find food and sometimes that meant leading a feast -or- famine lifestyle. Food was often scarce, but at other times it was quite plentiful.
Domesticated dogs no longer have to hunt or scavenge for food. They are now fed in shiny bowls and have the luxury of having the security of daily meals. Since they no longer have to work hard to find food, this often leads to a surplus of energy that can be drained by running around and playing. These perks of life are surely worthy of celebrating!
These postprandial celebrations also appear to often be contagious. If you own several dogs, you may notice how, after eating, one dog starts acting hyper and then the others are ready to follow. After all, whats better than sharing with other dogs the after-meal crazies?
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The simple fact of eating has a nourishing and energizing effect on dogs which may prompt the zoomies. This effect though can be exacerbated when dogs are fed diets that are loaded with high-glycemic index carbs.
“Have you ever experienced a child who becomes wildly hyperactive shortly after consuming a sugary food or drink and then crashes into a state of sluggishness a couple of hours later? High-GI foods such as corn and wheat create similar mood swings in dogs as they do in people” explains veterinarian Dr. Jean Dodds in the book: Canine Nutrigenomics, the New Science of Feeding Your Dog for Optimum Health.
This sugar high may therefore trigger hyperactive behaviors and lack of focus, but these are likely expected to occur as well at other times of the day rather than showing up as post-prandial zoomies.
Skipping foods with high-glycemic carbs is therefore an important step in curbing dietary induced behavior problems. Switching to a better diet made of wholesome ingredients is recommended. Food allergies should also be ruled out.
“Unfortunately, when a dog “misbehaves,” nutrition is rarely considered as a possible contributing factor,” points out Dr. Dodd. Evidence shows that dietary components can modulate the behavior of both animals and humans, she further adds, citing Bosch et al, 2007.
Many dog owners wonder what they can do when their dogs get the zoomies. Well, first of all, zoomies are perfectly normal. Theres nothing wrong with dogs acting crazy after eating as long as they do so safely and without wreaking major havoc. Fortunately, the zoomies are rather short-lived and soon dogs are back to snoozing.
Sure, when you have two dogs, watching them play together can be quite entertaining (even better than certain boring T.V. shows!), but when you have only one dog and that dog is coming to you and play bows repeatedly, possibly barking in your face, the behavior can be annoying, especially when the zoomies strategically seem to coincide with your much desired quiet time.
Some dog owners on the other hand may worry about their dogs injuring themselves or knocking down expensive collectibles from coffee tables or shelves. Who can blame them?
Its a good idea to redirect the activity to another place or an alternate activity if things seem to get too wild. If you decide to enjoy the show though, make sure there is a clear path and that grandma is out of the way!
And of course, always keep health in mind: some deep-chested dog breeds are predisposed to bloat and life-threatening gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV). These dogs should be prevented from engaging in strenuous exercise after eating.
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Why does my puppy suddenly go crazy?
It’s normal in dogs. In popular terms, it’s called “the zoomies.” In technical parlance, it’s Frenetic Random Activity Periods, or FRAP for short. It’s more common in puppies and young dogs, but even our old pals can get a case of the zoomies if the mood strikes. … Dogs also can FRAP out in moments of extreme stress.
Cesar Faces a HYPERACTIVE dog (Cesar 911 Shorts)
Hyperactivity in dogs has a number of causes. Typically, hyperactivity is due to mental condition — a dog may be bored, anxious or mirroring the behavior of his owner. Food, though, can also cause hyperactivity. Too much food, or the wrong formulation, gives a dog more energy than he can use up; in some cases this will lead to hyperactivity, especially if the dog is not getting sufficient exercise.
Carbohydrates provide energy and are essential to any healthy canine diet. However, too many carbs can cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels, leading to mood swings and hyperactivity. If you’ve increased your dog’s food allowance generally, it may be that the carb intake has reached a saturation point. Try reducing the carbs, but feed the same amount of everything else. If his hyperactivity abates, it’s probable that the carbs were the problem.
An allergic reaction can cause hyperactivity in a dog. If you’ve changed the food — for example, you’ve switched from a puppy formula to an adult formula or you’ve switched brands to get better value — it might be that a new ingredient is causing the hyperactivity. To test this theory, switch back to the old brand of dog food but continue to feed the same amount that you were when the hyperactivity began. If switching back removes the hyperactivity problem, the quality, not quantity, is the problem. Alternatively, your dog may have an intolerance to a certain ingredient that was triggered only when his food intake increased. If he was able to tolerate that ingredient in small doses only, the uptake in consumption may have pushed him over the tipping point.
Your dog’s change in behavior may be associated with the food but not directly linked to it. For example, if the increase in food happened at the same time as a change in feeding routine, for example if you’re now feeding your dog at the same time as another dog, it may be that your dog is hyperactive because he’s anxious or excited.
If you can’t find a link between diet and hyperactivity in your dog, it may be a simple coincidence that his behavior changed when you upped his food intake. But that doesn’t mean it’s a lost cause. You can tackle hyperactivity by providing lots of exercise and mental stimulation to reduce boredom. Also, ensure you aren’t accidentally reinforcing the hyper behavior. For example, if you fuss and worry over your dog when he’s skipping around like crazy, he may see this behavior as an easy way to get your attention. Ignore hyper behavior.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.
Simon Foden has been a freelance writer and editor since 1999. He began his writing career after graduating with a Bachelors of Arts degree in music from Salford University. He has contributed to and written for various magazines including “K9 Magazine” and “Pet Friendly Magazine.” He has also written for Dogmagazine.net.