Why Do Zoomies Happen

Why Winter Zoomies Happen (and How to Make the Most of Them)

If you’ve ever seen your dog suddenly rocket across the garden or living room, tail wagging like mad, you’ve just witnessed the legendary winter zoomies. Those bursts of energy, officially called Frenetic Random Activity Periods (FRAPs), are a completely normal, healthy part of canine behaviour - and in winter, they can be especially beneficial.

Why Do Zoomies Happen, What’s Really Going On?

Zoomies are your dog’s way of burning off energy, releasing emotion, and just enjoying life. Common triggers include:

Energy release after rest: After a nap or a cosy day indoors, dogs often have stored-up energy that needs to go somewhere.

Excitement or relief: A brisk walk, new smells, or even the arrival of festive decorations can spark a zoomie session.

Joyful reset: Zoomies can help dogs relieve stress, shake off confinement, or simply express sheer happiness.

These bursts show that your dog is comfortable, confident, and physically ready to move - a sign of wellbeing.

Why They’re Extra Common (and Useful) in Winter

Winter zoomies happen a little more often - and they can be surprisingly good for your dog’s health:

Energy release & warmth: Shorter winter walks can mean stored-up energy. Zoomies let your dog move freely, get circulation going, and warm up their muscles.

Joint mobility: Quick bursts of movement help keep joints flexible and muscles active - especially important in colder months.

Digestion & elimination: Many dogs find a short run triggers bowel movements, helping digestion stay regular during winter.

Mental stimulation: The sights, sounds, and smells of winter can spark bursts of excitement - letting them zoom is a natural way to process all this sensory input.

Make the Most of Winter Zoomies

Winter zoomies are a natural, healthy burst of energy - and letting your dog enjoy them can support muscle strength, joint mobility, digestion and mental wellbeing.

• Encourage zoomies - don’t shut them down. If possible, let your dog run freely in a secure garden or open space. These bursts of movement help warm muscles, release pent-up energy, and stimulate circulation, making them perfect for colder months.
• Refuel, enrich, and calm after the excitement. Once the zoomies wind down:
  

1. 1. Offer a small, nutrient-rich top-up. A handful of Caboodle dry dog food provides high-quality protein for muscles and complex carbohydrates for energy. Our Salmon dry dog food is naturally rich in healthy fats, supporting skin, coat, and overall wellbeing.
   2. Make it a fun, gentle enrichment activity by sprinkling the food on the grass or around the room. Encouraging your dog to “work” for their food helps them calm and settle naturally after all the excitement.
      
   3. Low-calorie, high-protein treats or chews (like our bestselling natural dental chews, just 9 calories each) provide extra muscle support and engagement without overfeeding.
      

• Optional post-zoom walk. If the weather allows, a short stroll offers extra stimulation, fresh winter scents, and helps your dog fully wind down.

By letting your dog zoom first, then refuelling and offering calm enrichment, you’re helping them get the most out of their energy bursts - supporting muscle recovery, mental stimulation and overall winter wellbeing.

The Science Behind Zoomies

While there’s no single study explaining every zoomie, animal behaviourists and vets agree on a few key points:

• FRAPs happen in dogs of all ages, not just puppies.
• They serve multiple functions: energy release, emotional reset and physical stimulation after periods of rest or confinement.
• Each dog has their own triggers - excitement, stress relief, or environmental changes can all spark zoomies.
  

In short, zoomies are a normal, healthy expression of energy and wellbeing, especially in winter when movement keeps joints mobile, supports digestion and complements proper nutrition.

Caboodle Winter Zoomie Checklist

1. Encourage zoomies outdoors if possible. Winter energy deserves space to burn off.
2. Observe their cues: high-speed dashes, tail wags, playful postures = healthy excitement.
3. Refuel and calm afterwards with a small, nutrient-rich dry dog food top-up and gentle enrichment to support muscles, mental stimulation and winter wellbeing.
4. Optional post-zoom walk. Extra exercise and fresh winter scents help your dog fully settle.

References

What are zoomies? Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. 

Why do dogs get the zoomies? PetMD. 

Frenetic Random Activity Periods - Wiki

Why do dogs suddenly get the zoomies? Discover Magazine.

Understanding why dogs get the zoomies - PetsCare.