Exploring Why Dogs Adorably Circle Before They Lay Down
Circling behaviors are often harmless and driven by a dog's instincts.
Published Oct. 7 2024, 1:22 p.m. ET
Knowing your companion dog's verbal cues and typical nonverbal body language can help you form a healthy relationship. One common behavior many dogs share is circling their dog bed several times before lying down for sleep.
What, exactly, does this shared behavior mean? Do dogs really have special bedtime routines like humans do?
If you notice your dog excessively or obsessively circling their bed, unable to attain a sense of comfort and calm, contact your vet to ensure an underlying medical condition isn't causing distress. Otherwise, check out the reasons below to learn why your dog may be circling their bed.
Your dog circles his bed because his wild instincts are guiding him to safety.
A dog's instincts are a brilliant wonder to observe in action. According to the North Carolina-based Caring Hearts Animal Hospital, one reason your dog circles the bed a few times before lying down is because their wild ancestors did so.
This maneuver allows them to gauge if any predators are nearby before finally settling down to rest. It also helps your dog orient themselves directionally, perhaps to position their powerful noses if a helpful smell wafts by.
Your dog may be circling his bed to get comfortable before sleeping.
Comfort is a driving force in your dog circling before bed. According to Caring Hearts Animal Hospital, a dog in the wild may circle their sleeping spot to foster a comfortable environment.
Whether that means leveling a grassy or leaf-filled surface in the wild or, for dogs at home, depressing a pillow in their dog bed so it feels just right, circling means comfort.
Your dog may circle his bed to find the perfect temperature before resting.
Pay attention to the weather and the temperature inside your home, as your dog may be circling her bed to reach a cool spot in the summer or create a warm spot in winter.
According to a vet-reviewed article in The Spruce Pets, wolves and coyotes brilliantly circle a snowy spot to serve a dual purpose of clearing snow from their intended resting spot, and creating a wall of snow to provide heat insulation. Similarly, circling a soil-rich spot in summer helps them cultivate a cooler resting spot.
If your dog is excessively circling their dog bed, consult a veterinarian to be safe.
While circling a dog bed is often harmless, if done in excess, it might signal your dog needs to visit the vet. Per The Spruce Pets, the root cause of excessive bed circling might be physical or neurological. If you are concerned, be sure to consult a veterinarian.
Potential causes, per the article, include osteoarthritis on the physical side, as well as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder on the neurological end.
In this situation, your dog might benefit from a special bed made specifically for those suffering from arthritis or other similar conditions. Your vet might also prescribe a medication to assist in alleviating physical pain as well as anxiety disorders that cause distress.
