Why is my dog pacing in circles? A Step-by-Step Guide

Forebrain Dysfunction and Circling in Dogs

Unfortunately, a dog walking in circles (circling) is almost always a sign of forebrain dysfunction.

Typical signs of forebrain dysfunction in dogs include:

  • Circling – Your dog walks around its environment in a circle, unable to follow a straight path or turn in another direction.
  • Seizures – Forebrain dysfunction can cause seizures in your dog, resulting in loss of consciousness and convulsions.
  • Behavior Changes – Your dog’s personality has abruptly changed, and it may seem lost, withdrawn, irritable, etc.
  • Head Pressing – Your dog is compulsively pressing its head against a wall, corner, floor, or other firm surface.
  • Blindness – Forebrain dysfunction can even cause acute blindness.
  • “Brainstem disease can also cause circling in dogs, but the difference is that forebrain dogs tend to walk in circles around a room, while brainstem dogs tend to tightly circle in one place,” explains Dr. Reese.

    Does your pup make a few circles before settling down on his bed, your bed or his favorite spot on the couch? Do you think this is the cutest thing you’ve ever seen? Have you ever wondered why he does this?

    There are several theories as to why dogs do this. Some say it is a hereditary behavior from before dogs were domesticated. Dogs used to settle in for the night outdoors in the grass or dirt and the circling would push the grass or dirt down to make it more comfortable or even scratch at it to make it soft so they could get a good night’s rest.

    There are several more serious reasons your pet might walk in circles. If you see your dog walking in circles, unable to stop or is crashing into walls or getting stuck in corners you may want to take him to see the vet for a checkup to rule out the following other conditions.

    Our dogs still exhibit the same behavior today although instead of grass they’re settling into it is a nice cozy spot on the bed. Your dog may have a nap time or bedtime routine where he scratches at his bedding, does a few circles and then settles down for the night.

    While this cute behavior is completely harmless, if you see your dog walking in circles, trying to bite his tail, or circling and unable to settle it might be cause for concern.

    4 Neurologic Reasons for Your Dog Walking in Circles

    Conditions that can create problems in the brain range from traumatic brain injuries to metabolic disorders, but it is more likely that your dog is walking in circles due to a neurologic issue.

    The most common neurologic causes of forebrain dysfunction and circling in dogs are:

    A tumor is an abnormal growth of cells within tissue. This uncontrolled growth of cells creates masses that destroy healthy tissue. Therefore, a tumor in your dog’s forebrain will result in forebrain dysfunction and symptoms like walking in circles.

    A stroke occurs either when blood flow to part of the brain is obstructed or when a blood vessel bursts, depriving nerve cells and their pathways of oxygen. So if the stroke occurs in your dog’s forebrain, it will cause forebrain dysfunction and symptoms like walking in circles.

    Brain inflammation is another potential reason for your dog walking in circles. It can occur in the brain itself (encephalitis), in the membranes surrounding the brain (meningitis), or a combination of the two (meningoencephalitis).

    In addition to the signs of forebrain dysfunction discussed earlier, another likely symptom of brain inflammation in dogs is pain.

    Hydrocephalus is brain swelling generally caused by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) buildup inside the brain. It can be acquired or congenital (present at birth), and certain breeds, like toy breeds, are predisposed.

    In addition to your dog walking in circles and other forebrain dysfunction symptoms, Hydrocephalus can cause:

  • Domed skull, soft spot on head (persistent fontanelle), wide set eyes
  • Slow growth, small stature
  • Difficulty learning, eating, drinking, house training
  • Why is my dog pacing in circles?

    DOG WALKS IN CIRCLES – Brain tumor, cancer, confusion, falling over.

    a man walking his dog that walks in circles in the parkYour dog’s behavior is a good clue as to what is going on inside his or her body. Walking in circles is actually a normal behavior for many dogs just before they urinate, defecate, or lie down. Other than in those instances, frequently walking in circles, or slowly or quickly spinning, is often a sign that the dog has an underlying health issue. If you observe your dog walking in circles, don’t ignore it. Your dog should be examined by a professional veterinarian as a precaution because circle walking could be a sign of a serious health problem.

    Ear Infection: An ear infection is one of the most common reasons why dogs walk in circles. An ear infection usually has one or more additional symptoms, such as offensive smells coming from the ear, redness, head shaking, and scratching at the ear. An ear infection must be treated quickly by a vet, as infections can move deeper into the dog’s ear and cause more serious problems. Treatment for ear infections involve a deep ear cleaning that must be done by the vet to avoid damaging the dog’s inner ear, and prescription medications including antibiotics.

    While ear infections are by far the most common, your dog may have an infection somewhere else in the body that is causing discomfort or interfering with their balance. Again, it’s important to work with a professional vet who can examine and determine the issue without causing more harm to your dog.

    Vestibular Syndrome: This is a disease that is most common in older dogs. Vestibular syndrome affects the dog’s inner ear and balance. What causes the disease is unknown, but animal health experts believe it can result from a variety of factors such as ear damage due to an injury, nutritional deficiency, infection, or abnormal tissue growth. Dogs needs to be examined by a vet to diagnose vestibular syndrome. Other symptoms include frequently falling down, excessive drooling, walking with the head down, and circling.

    Neurological Disease or Bodily Injury: A disease or injury that affects your dog’s neurological system can also likely cause your dog to walk in circles. Common diseases that can cause incoordination include:

    Alternatively, a head, back, or neck injury that impacts the neurological system can also cause incoordination, as well as pupil dilation, whining, or loss of appetite. If you spot any of these symptoms, get your dog to the nearest vet right away for a comprehensive diagnosis and immediate treatment.