Why is it tha some animals circle round a few times before settling down to rest?
for example cats ,dogs
Answers:
In the wild, animals often bedded down in high grass. By circling round and round they tramped the grass down making the resting place more comfortable.
Also, by doing the above, they are able to feel for stones, holes, etc might be that they would have to adjust for.
When house pets do it, it's because nature had programed it into their heads.
They are making a nest for themselves!
I always thought they were trying to find the best place to lie down. I was told it was because in the wild, they would have to tramp the grass down a little to be more comfortable. Who knows, really though?
For the same reason men scratch when they itch and women go to the bathroom in packs.
I hear it is instinctual for them. Like nesting.
I was always told that it is an inbuilt behavioural trait from there days in the wild - they are (or originally were) checking for snakes, scorpions etc in there bedding.
to align their bones ( their front legs are only held their by muscle)
Instinct has them smoothing down the weeds and grass as if they are making a bed for themselves. Even if they are inside where there are no weeds or grass.
They cannot get tipsy of alcohol so they go round and round to get that tipsy feeling before settling down
Funny isn't it. I had a great dane (Sadie) that would always do that when getting on her bed for the night.
I too think it is the nesting instinct - it is bred into them such that in the wild they had to trample down grass to make a comfortable place to sleep.
I think they are checking the ground is safe and trampaling it down to stop bit stingys and sticks poking them :)
well like the dogs they circle around trying the best place that has the coolest wind that blows
Great question! I think people do this too -- how many people do you know that just get in the bed and go to sleep without rolling around and positioning pillows, etc.
I think it is instinctual as others have said and the tramping down the grass sounds like a good explanation to me. Perhaps they are checking around to look for danger before they settle down too?
Maybe it is because they are making sure that the area is "clear" to lay down on. My horse always circles before rolling as he brushes the ground with his nose checking for bigger rocks.
well what do you do before you settle down.we are only copying the animals.
its natural instincts - they check the area is free from predators and dangers as it takes them longer to run if something goes wrong!! Animals, no matter how tame, have a natural flight instinct - and they just demonstrat it by doing this - this is why its NOT a good idea to frighten an animal out of its sleep!! Funny yes - but seriously cruel!!
In the wild they used to do this to check for snakes before settlin' down, it's just a left over thing from the wild days, just like howling or pack behaviour in dogs.
my dog used to do that when he was a puppy before he went to the toilet.
They are making sure their fur is lying in the direction they want to lie; ever woken up with an uncomfortable patch on your head where your hair has been bent back while you slept? Well, thats why!
no idea, but it gets on my nerves. my dog does it just as im falling asleep. i wouldnt mind but he sleeps on my bed
i think they are checking it is safe for them ,////////////////
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Answers:
In the wild, animals often bedded down in high grass. By circling round and round they tramped the grass down making the resting place more comfortable.
Also, by doing the above, they are able to feel for stones, holes, etc might be that they would have to adjust for.
When house pets do it, it's because nature had programed it into their heads.
They are making a nest for themselves!
I always thought they were trying to find the best place to lie down. I was told it was because in the wild, they would have to tramp the grass down a little to be more comfortable. Who knows, really though?
For the same reason men scratch when they itch and women go to the bathroom in packs.
I hear it is instinctual for them. Like nesting.
I was always told that it is an inbuilt behavioural trait from there days in the wild - they are (or originally were) checking for snakes, scorpions etc in there bedding.
to align their bones ( their front legs are only held their by muscle)
Instinct has them smoothing down the weeds and grass as if they are making a bed for themselves. Even if they are inside where there are no weeds or grass.
They cannot get tipsy of alcohol so they go round and round to get that tipsy feeling before settling down
Funny isn't it. I had a great dane (Sadie) that would always do that when getting on her bed for the night.
I too think it is the nesting instinct - it is bred into them such that in the wild they had to trample down grass to make a comfortable place to sleep.
I think they are checking the ground is safe and trampaling it down to stop bit stingys and sticks poking them :)
well like the dogs they circle around trying the best place that has the coolest wind that blows
Great question! I think people do this too -- how many people do you know that just get in the bed and go to sleep without rolling around and positioning pillows, etc.
I think it is instinctual as others have said and the tramping down the grass sounds like a good explanation to me. Perhaps they are checking around to look for danger before they settle down too?
Maybe it is because they are making sure that the area is "clear" to lay down on. My horse always circles before rolling as he brushes the ground with his nose checking for bigger rocks.
well what do you do before you settle down.we are only copying the animals.
its natural instincts - they check the area is free from predators and dangers as it takes them longer to run if something goes wrong!! Animals, no matter how tame, have a natural flight instinct - and they just demonstrat it by doing this - this is why its NOT a good idea to frighten an animal out of its sleep!! Funny yes - but seriously cruel!!
In the wild they used to do this to check for snakes before settlin' down, it's just a left over thing from the wild days, just like howling or pack behaviour in dogs.
my dog used to do that when he was a puppy before he went to the toilet.
They are making sure their fur is lying in the direction they want to lie; ever woken up with an uncomfortable patch on your head where your hair has been bent back while you slept? Well, thats why!
no idea, but it gets on my nerves. my dog does it just as im falling asleep. i wouldnt mind but he sleeps on my bed
i think they are checking it is safe for them ,////////////////
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