It happens almost every time. Your dog needs a bath, and afterward, they go crazy, racing around your house, rolling on the ground, and shaking their fur. It can be a chaotic time and sometimes, a little frustrating. However, these post-bath zoomies are completely normal dog behavior. But, why do dogs go crazy after a bath? Here’s what you need to know:

What Are Zoomies?

When dogs, cats, or other animals start to tear around the house or act absolutely crazy, it’s called the “zoomies” because they are zooming around your home or yard. This activity helps your dog release a bunch of pent-up energy. This often happens when they’ve been overstimulated, extra excited, or even stressed out.

While it can happen at any time of the day, certain times seem to bring out this behavior more. This common dog behavior is completely natural, although some breeds or dogs seem to be more prone to it sometimes. Certain events can also trigger this behavior, including bathtime.

Why Do Dogs Go Crazy After a Bath?

If your dog tends to zoom around after a bath, there might be a few reasons for this behavior. Here’s why dogs might go crazy after a bath:

1. They Are Stressed or Uncomfortable

While there are plenty of dogs, like Labradors, who absolutely love being in the water, not every dog does. Even dogs who typically love being in the water might not enjoy bath time. This is because bathtime can be fairly overstimulating with lots of scents, fluctuating water temperatures, and weird feelings like getting scrubbed or hosed down.

There are some helpful dog bathing tips you can try to make bathtime go as smoothly as possible, but it’s important to know that you can try your hardest, and your dog still might not enjoy bath time. If that time stresses them out, running around the house is a great way to release some of the tension they’re feeling.

As soon as they are out of the bath, they likely feel a huge sense of relief, so they run around the house to celebrate their freedom. It’s almost like a kid leaving school on the last day of the year before summer vacation starts!

2. They Are Excited

Yes, there are plenty of dogs who hate or barely tolerate bath time. However, you may have a dog who loves bath time. Some dogs love all the attention of being fussed over! That time means spending a lot of time with you, which can build a bond with your dog. So if that bathtime with you is an activity they love, running around the house is another way to release some of that pent-up energy and excitement!

3. They’re Trying to Dry Off

Wet fur is not a sensation many dogs enjoy. It can make them feel cold, and some dogs with an undercoat may not be used to the feeling of wet fur right against their skin. Even with a good towel-rubbing, they probably still feel damp. Running around and rubbing up against furniture or on carpeting is their way of trying to shake off any excess water so they can get dry faster.

This is just an overview of why dogs go crazy after a bath. The zoomies are a natural dog behavior. When you see them after you’ve given your dog a bath, they are usually a way for your dog to release some energy and feel more comfortable.