Old Dog Walking in Circles: 10 Reasons

An old dog walking in circles—when is it normal and when is it a cause for concern? Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby answers that question and discusses 10 reasons a senior dog may walk in circles. Plus she provides advice about what to do if you notice your dog circling abnormally.

Watching my dog do his “potty dance” in our fenced yard never fails to make me smile. His routine, which he has perfected over time, usually involves racing back and forth and then spinning in tight circles before picking the perfect spot to make his deposit. This sort of circling is endearing. And the only worrisome thing about it is the amount of grass he tears up when it is wet out.

But what if your old dog is circling unexpectedly or circling plus acting disoriented? How do you know if your senior companion’s circling is normal or if it could be a sign of a bigger problem?

When is an old dog walking in circles abnormal?

Dogs of all ages may circle around their bed, dig at the bed or blankets, or arrange them before lying down. And some dogs might walk in circles before or during the process of urinating or defecating. Both of these types of circling fall into the category of “normal circling,” especially if your dog has done them all along.

However, if your dog is now displaying circling tendencies that weren’t present before, it could be a cause for concern. This is especially true in senior dogs.

To determine if your dog’s circling is normal or abnormal, ask yourself these questions:

• Does my dog cross his or her legs abnormally when circling?
• Is my dog unbalanced or wobbly during the circle?
• While circling, does my dog seem to be staring in a certain direction?
• Is my dog unable to walk without circling?
• Is my dog acting dazed or confused?
• Have I found my dog circling in a corner or trapped between pieces of furniture?
• Is my dog’s head tilting while he or she is circling?
• Does my dog always circle in one direction?
• Is my dog showing any other abnormal symptoms such as seizures, urinary accidents, changes in personality, head shaking, etc.?
• Does my dog keep circling even if I try to distract him or her?

The more questions you answered “yes” to, the more likely it is that your dog is circling abnormally.

Why is my old dog circling? 10 Reasons

There can be a variety of causes of a dog circling, but let’s take a look at 10 of the most common ones.

1. Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD)

When an elderly dog is walking in circles and acting disoriented, one of the first conditions to consider is canine cognitive dysfunction (also known as CCD or doggy dementia). Canine cognitive dysfunction is the dog equivalent of Alzheimer’s in humans.

Symptoms of CCD

Some of the signs of dementia in dogs include:

• Circling—Walking in circles over and over again, sometimes in the same area.
• Anxiety—May manifest as panting, pacing, whining, being unable to relax, or developing new separation anxiety or fear of certain noises
• Decreased interest in or recognition of you or other loved ones
• Disorientation and possibly getting “lost” in the house or confused about where he or she is
• Having accidents in the home even though he or she was previously potty trained
• Change in sleep-wake cycles—Sundowners in dogs, a component of CCD, may be the reason for your dog waking up in the middle of the night and pacing, circling, whining, whimpering, barking, or howling.

If this sounds like your dog, consider taking the quiz below and then make an appointment with your veterinarian.

While CCD cannot be reversed or cured, there are several management options including medications like selegiline for dogs, supplements such as Dr. Buzby’s Brain Boost™ Organic MCT Oil for Dogs, and prescription diets like Hill’s® Prescription Diet b/d canine and Purina® Neuro Care. Plus your vet can talk to you about mental stimulation toys for dogs and other tools that help improve your dog’s cognitive function.

2. Vestibular disease

The other top explanation for an old dog who constantly walks in circles is vestibular disease in dogs or “doggy vertigo”. This neurological condition occurs when a dog’s vestibular system no longer processes the body’s orientation and position in space appropriately.

Symptoms of vestibular disease

Common signs of vestibular disease in dogs include:

• The dog walking in circles (usually only in one direction).
• Vomiting and/or signs of nausea such a dog who keeps licking his or her lips—Affected dogs may have motion sickness from the vertigo.
• Abnormal posture—The dog may stand with legs spread wide in an attempt to stay balanced or he or she may lean to one side.
• Rolling and being unable to stand—In severe cases, the dog is so dizzy that he or she can’t stand upright.
• Head tilt—The dog might hold the head tilted to one side consistently.
• Incoordination and poor balance—Your dog is wobbly and off balance or stumbling around.
• Rapid eye movement (nystagmus)—The dog’s eyes may quickly move from side to side, up and down, or in a rotational fashion.

Unlike CCD, where the symptoms usually appear gradually, dogs with vestibular disease become rapidly symptomatic. They may be totally normal when you leave for work and then circling, stumbling, and walking around with a head tilt when you get home. These signs warrant a trip to the vet.

During the vet appointment, your dog’s doctor will first confirm that your dog is showing signs of vestibular disease. Then he or she will determine if the vestibular disease is idiopathic (cause is unknown) or has an identifiable cause.

Idiopathic vestibular disease

Idiopathic vestibular disease or “old dog vestibular disease,” is the more common type, especially in senior dogs. Because there is no known cause to address, treatment involves anti-nausea medications (e.g. Cerenia for dogs or meclizine for dogs). Plus the vet will teach you how to feed a dog with vestibular disease and other ways to support your dog at home.

Thankfully, old dog vestibular symptoms usually improve within 72 hours and resolve completely within 1-2 weeks.

Ear infections and other causes of vestibular disease

On the other hand, ear infections, hypothyroidism in dogs, trauma, tumors, or toxins can also cause vestibular symptoms. In that case, the vet will take steps to address the cause of the vestibular disease. Plus he or she will provide symptomatic care as outlined above.

3. Brain tumor

Brain tumors in dogs may also cause vertigo and other neurological issues such as a dog walking in circles. Depending on the size and location of the brain tumor, it can affect balance, coordination, and awareness.

Symptoms of a brain tumor

Some of the most common signs of a brain tumor in dogs include:

• Walking in circles, often in one specific direction
• Weakness or trembling—This can make it hard for dogs to stand up.
• Standing in the corner—The dog may get trapped in the corner and not know how to get out.
• Facial drooping—Tumors that affect the nerves of the face may cause the eyelids, ears, or mouth to droop
• Seizures—Sometimes seizure activity is the first clue.
• Going blind or deaf—Tumors can affect the vision or hearing centers of the brain.
• Personality changes—The dog may become aggressive, withdrawn, subdued, etc.
• Forgetting commands, housetraining, people, or pets—Like with cognitive dysfunction, the dog may not remember things he or she once knew.

However, this is far from an exhaustive list because the symptoms of brain tumors can be so varied. If you have concerns about your dog’s circling or other behaviors, the best thing you can do is make a vet appointment.

Treatment for brain tumors varies depending on the location, size, and type of tumor. Some can be removed or treated with chemotherapy and radiation. Others may have progressed too far or be in location that isn’t amenable to treatment. Or the dog’s family may decide treatment isn’t right for them and their dog. In those cases, supportive care in the form of pain control and anti-seizure medications can help keep the dog comfortable.

4. Post-ictal period following a seizure

If your dog is circling and disoriented, it is also possible that he or she is is in the post-ictal phase after having a seizure. Dogs don’t usually circle during the seizure itself. But it is common for them to be disoriented, restless, and confused for a period of time after a seizure. Dogs in the post-ictal phase may circle, pace back and forth, salivate excessively, bump into objects due to temporary blindness, or generally seem out of it.

If you weren’t around to see the seizure, you may only see the post-ictal phase. This can make it harder to piece together why your dog has rapidly gone from normal to circling and disoriented.

Alternatively, you may have watched your dog go through all the stages of the seizure. First, he or she may have seemed nervous, restless, or clingy. This is the aura phase that precedes a seizure.

Then the dog would have the actual seizure activity. Depending on if this was a focal seizure, psychomotor seizure, or grand mal seizure, you may notice anything from some facial twitching or fly biting to full on convulsions with paddling and loss of bowel and bladder control.

Finally, the dog hits the post-ictal phase, which we discussed earlier. Some dogs may stop walking in circles after the post-ictal phase has passed. Others may continue to circle if the seizure (or event that initiated the seizure) has had lasting effects on the brain.

Diagnosing and managing seizures

Should you suspect your dog had a seizure, the best thing you can to is stay calm and contact your vet. If your dog is having a seizure that lasts more than five minutes or having back to back seizures without returning to normal between them, make an emergency vet visit immediately. Otherwise, speak to your veterinarian about when he or she wants to see your dog.

Your vet can help determine if idiopathic epilepsy, a brain tumor, toxin, metabolic imbalance, brain inflammation, or other health issue is responsible for the seizures. Then he or she will work with you to make the appropriate treatment plan.

5. Pain or Anxiety

Sometimes dogs who are painful or anxious (or both) may walk in circles or pace. They may also pant excessively, whine, or act restless or uncomfortable. If you suspect you might be seeing signs your dog is in pain or your dog’s anxiety seem to be ramping up, make an appointment with your vet. He or she can help you get to the bottom of the problem and provide treatments options.

6. Stroke

While less common than in people, dogs can have strokes (i.e. interruption of blood flow in the brain). As a result of the stroke, the dog may be circling and disoriented. Some of the other dog stroke symptoms include stumbling, head tilt, nystagmus (rapid eye movement), and blindness. As you can see, the symptoms of a stroke and vestibular disease are similar, so it is easy to confuse one for the other.

If you are noticing your dog circling and showing other concerning symptoms, head to the vet. That way he or she can figure out what is happening with your dog and how best to help him or her.

7. Ear infections

Ear infections (otitis in dogs) can also sometimes cause a dog to start circling. However, plenty of dogs have an ear infection and never circle.

If a dog does start circling, it may be due to the pain and inflammation in the ear. Or the dog may develop vestibular symptoms like circling if the ear infection impacts the inner ear where parts of the vestibular system live.

In addition to the circling, the dog may be shaking his or her head or pawing and scratching at the ears. Plus you may notice foul smelling discharge in the ears and red inflamed ear canals.

Ear infections are painful, and can lead to hearing loss in dogs if they get bad enough. Thus, it is important to get your dog to the vet for treatment if you suspect he or she has an ear infection.

8. Blindness

Because they are not sure where to walk or they are afraid to walk to new places and get hurt, blind dogs may walk in the same circular pattern. For example, it may be normal for your blind dog to walk large circles in an open space because it is a path he or she is familiar with and knows is safe. However, many dogs who have vision problems or who are completely blind will not walk in circles. They may still appear lost and confused or get stuck in corners of the house, though.

It is important to remember that if your dog has been blind awhile and has suddenly started walking in circles, another health condition or neurological issue in dogs, not blindness, is likely the culprit. A trip to the veterinarian can help you determine the cause for the circling.

9. Brain inflammation

Sometimes inflammation in the nervous system can cause a dog to start circling and showing other neurological signs (e.g. seizures, trouble balancing, blindness, disorientation, head tilt, etc.). The dog may have any of the following varieties of inflammation:

• Encephalitis—Inflammation of the brain
• Encephalomyelitis—Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
• Meningoencephalitis—Inflammation of the brain and meninges (covering of the brain and spinal cord)
• Meningoencephalomyelitis—Inflammation of the brain, spinal cord, and meninges

The nervous system inflammation can be due to a virus, bacteria, or fungi. Or it can be autoimmune, such as occurs in granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis (GME in dogs). Your vet can help reach a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for your dog.

10. Toxin exposure

Some toxins such as xylitol toxicity in dogs, chocolate toxicity in dogs, tremorgenic mycotoxins, metaldehyde (snail bait) or marijuana can affect the neurologic system. Other symptoms such as an unsteady gait, seizures, shaking, weakness, or disorientation are more common with these toxins. However, some dogs could also start circling.

Additionally, severe liver disease in dogs or liver conditions like a portosystemic shunt (PSS) can lead to toxin build up in the body. These toxins can cause hepatic encephalopathy in dogs, a condition where toxins that the liver should get rid of affect the brain.

Common signs of hepatic encephalopathy include head pressing, circling, disorientation, and seizures. Often the symptoms are worse after a high protein meal. Dogs with hepatic encephalopathy may also show other signs of liver disease like jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), vomiting, or being a lethargic dog.

What should you do if your old dog is walking in circles?

If you notice new or abnormal circling behavior from your dog, it is important to make an appointment with your veterinarian. For stable or mildly-affected dogs, it can be helpful to get a video of your dog circling. This way your vet can see what your dog is doing at home in case he or she isn’t circling in the office.

However, if your dog is having seizures lasting more than five minutes or multiple seizures close together, you suspect your dog could have gotten into a toxin, or your dog seems very sick, don’t delay. Just head right to the vet for an emergency visit.

Your vet will perform a physical and neurological exam and run some blood tests for dogs to gather information. And if necessary, he or she may refer you to a veterinary specialist near you for advanced imaging (CT or MRI) or specialized treatment approaches.

Then the vet or specialist will work with you to develop a treatment plan.

If your senior dog is circling abnormally, don’t delay in seeking help

While some circling behaviors are normal (like nesting before lying down to sleep), others could be an indication of a larger underlying problem. Should you be concerned about your dog’s circling or any other symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet. He or she can partner with you to discover and address the reason your old dog is walking in circles. That way your dog can continue to live the happiest life possible.

Why was your old dog walking in circles?

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