Hello…I’ve noticed that my dog occasionally gets these sudden bursts of energy where he runs around the house like crazy, often in circles. I’ve heard people call it the “zoomies.” Can anyone explain why dogs do this? Is it normal, and should I be concerned about it?
2 Likes
Hi, Dogs get the zoomies, or frenetic random activity periods (FRAPs), as a way to release pent-up energy, excitement, or stress. It’s a natural, healthy behavior that helps them burn off excess energy and express joy or relief.
1 Like
Zoomies are also known as Frenetic Random Activity Periods, or FRAP, in technical parlance. Dogs tend to do this less frequently as they get older, and most of them do it after taking a bath. We’re not sure why.
1 Like
The zoomies are exhibited by dogs when “they have some form of excess energy that is been contained, such as nervous energy, such as when they have tolerated an uncomfortable situation, or physical energy, like when they have been crated.”
I have a Jack Russell - he gets zoomies after dinner - the vet tells me to take him for a walk since he just has a lot of energy - biologically, it may be due to too much adrenaline
Ours normally gets them when she’s extremely weary and mentally fatigued, but not physically exhausted.