Is Your Dog Pacing or Circling? Vet-Approved Tips & Solutions

Just last night, my friend texted me, “Bella started circling the coffee table again, spinning in circles - it’s been happening so many times since our move. One minute she goes clockwise, the next it’s counterclockwise. I called her name, tried distracting her, but she just wouldn’t stop.”
We ended up rushing Bella to the vet for an urgent check-up. Thankfully, the doctor ruled out any serious medical issues, and we could finally breathe easy. I know lots of dog owners have faced this same worry. Occasional circling is usually harmless, but when it becomes frequent, persistent, and your dog looks anxious or confused, it’s almost never just “being silly.” In this article, I’ll walk you through my experience and practical pet care know-how to help you truly understand—and respond to—why your dog may be walking in circles.

Distinguishing What’s Normal From What’s Not

Circle walking isn’t always a problem. Lots of dogs spin around before they poop, or do a few turns before settling down to sleep—that’s an instinct passed down from their wild ancestors, who used circling to tamp down grass and check for danger before resting.
Excited play or greeting you after work can trigger a few laps as well, which is totally normal and usually brief.

• Your dog walks in circles all hours of the day and night, and you can’t interrupt the pattern with toys, treats, or calling their name.
• Circling comes with confusion, stress, or withdrawn body language—when your pup isn’t interested in their favorite toy or snack, and seems “out of it.”
• It starts after major changes at home, like moving, losing a pet or family member, yet lasts for days without improvement.

From my experience and hearing from plenty of fellow dog owners, big life shifts - like new additions to the household or moving—tend to spike circle-walking and become way more repetitive than before.

Accompanying Symptoms & Pet Care Tips

Circle walking rarely happens in isolation. Look for these details:

• Unsteady gait, like walking as if slightly dizzy or off-balance.
• Restless nights, lethargy during the day, or disrupted sleep routines that stray from old patterns.
• Obsessive licking of paws or tail, rubbing their body against walls and furniture—sometimes you’ll spot damp fur or even redness, especially on their paws or tail.
• Sudden changes in barking, becoming clingier or withdrawing from contact, refusing food, or becoming irritable.

When you notice these, ask your vet for expert advice, but don’t neglect daily care. I always recommend wiping your dog’s paws, butt, and any part that touches floors regularly—especially after walks, during vet visits, or when you have kids at home. Pet wipes are gentle and perfect for this, helping keep both your dog and your family safe and comfortable.

• Click to see more dog care tips

Major Causes: Behavior, Emotion, and Health

Behavioral and Emotional Stress

Environment and mood are huge for dogs. Being alone too much, rough transitions, or even changes in your own routines can cause real anxiety. Lots of owners have found success by offering more playtime, rotating new puzzle toys, increasing walks, or simply switching up the routine to help their dogs settle down. For example, after a move, a dog might keep “patrolling” the house, searching for the old scents they used to know, and this can become a repetitive safety-seeking habit.

Neurological or Brain-Related Issues

The most concerning cause of persistent circling is a problem in the brain or nervous system. Vets say circle walking—especially if your dog can’t walk straight or seems lost—could signal brain tumors, encephalitis, stroke, forebrain problems, or doggie dementia. You might see personality changes, confusion, ignoring commands, brief periods of blindness, seizures, or even pressing their head against objects. If your usually healthy dog starts acting this way for several days, don’t wait—get to a specialist now.

Ear Infections and Other Health Problems

Surprisingly, a lot of circle walking traces back to the ears. Deep infections or vestibular disease can knock out their balance and cause circling, tilting their head, or sway. If you notice frequent head shaking, scratching at the ears, smelly ears, or redness alongside the circling, call your vet. Also watch for conditions like liver shunt, hormonal illnesses (like Cushing’s), chronic pain, or even parasites—all may trigger these pacing and circling episodes. Early intervention can really improve your dog’s outcome, so consider annual health checks a must.

Diagnosis & When to Visit the Vet

If your dog starts circling a lot, pay close attention to each episode—take videos, jot down the duration, and note what else is happening. If there’s any twitching, weakness, or sluggish reaction, call your vet immediately; your footage will help them judge what’s going on.

The usual diagnosis process involves:

• Detailed history-taking: changes before and after the episodes, food, daily routine, family and breed background.
• Physical and neurological exams: testing reflexes, balance, limb movement, and more.
• Lab work: blood and urine tests, viral panels to rule out infection or metabolic trouble.
• Imaging: X-rays, ultrasound, CT or MRI scans, to look for tumors, injury, or other abnormalities.

A tip from my vet: keep a diary logging every circling episode’s start/end time, details, location, and diet. This helps your vet diagnose faster and more accurately.

Everyday Home Care & Recovery Tips

• Boost interaction—don’t let your dog spend days by themselves. Try interactive toys, puzzle feeders, or new games that stimulate their brain.
• Switch up your walk routine and let them safely explore; new smells and sights can help.
• After walks, outdoor play, or potty breaks, wipe down their paws and behind. Use plant-based dog wipes, not regular baby wipes, to prevent skin issues and keep bacteria out of the house.
• Stick to a regular meal and sleep schedule. For seniors, consider supplements recommended by your vet and schedule regular health checkups.
• If you suspect separation anxiety, ask your vet about a behaviorist or customized training plans.

After posting this draft, my friend followed up: with two weeks of care—a new routine, fresh toys, post-walk wipe downs, and plenty of companionship—Bella’s spinning finally disappeared. I was so relieved! If you’re facing the same situation, I hope you’ll see good results, too.

Interactive Q&A & Real-World Cases

What do I do if my dog is walking in circles?
Start by calmly observing the context and frequency. Occasional pre-poop or playful spinning, especially after a move or new arrivals, is usually harmless. But if circling is frequent, lengthier, hard to interrupt with toys or food, or paired with head tilting, unstable gait, or confusion, see a vet soon—it might mean something more serious.

How do you treat circling in dogs?
Circling isn’t a diagnosis—it’s a clue. Treatment depends on the cause. Get a vet check ASAP, which could include nerve or ear tests, bloodwork, and scans. Vestibular disease often improves with supportive care (anti-nausea meds, hydration, ear cleanings). In cases like tumors or severe ear infections, more advanced treatment (like surgery) may be needed. At home, keep your dog in a calm, stress-free environment and watch their hygiene closely.

What diseases make dogs walk in circles?

• Vestibular disease: impairs balance, often with head tilt, movement issues.
• Brain tumors, inflammation, stroke: impact forebrain or brainstem, causing circling, personality changes, and sometimes seizures.
• Ear infections: especially deep ones, make dogs lose balance, shake their heads, scratch, and circle.
• Doggie dementia: senior dogs get lost, circle, and disrupt sleep.
• Liver shunt, parasites, late-stage distemper, pain, or anxiety can also cause circling and pacing.

Why is my dog circling/pacing?
Circling and pacing signal discomfort, anxiety, or underlying health problems. Sometimes it’s due to space, security, or boredom—especially during times of stress or change. Pain or illness can also disrupt movement control. If it keeps happening, keep a symptom log and get a vet’s insight—don’t ignore it.

Final Thoughts

Behind your dog’s circling could be a whole mix of reasons—sometimes it’s just quirky instincts, but more often, it’s a sign of stress or health problems. The best care? Stay alert to changes, maintain daily hygiene, get regular checkups, and ask your vet for help. Real solutions come from combining love and practical care.