There’s no denying that dogs are man’s best friend. In fact, your doggo is so loyal and loving that it will befriend almost any other pet, be it cat, parrot, or ferret, to bring peace to the household.
So when you see your normally sweet and gentle dog staring up at the ceiling and even whining or growling, you may start to think there’s some sort of evil presence up there. But don’t call your local church for an exorcism just yet; your dog is not a spiritualist or psychic. There could be a few different causes as to why your fur baby is staring into space all the time.
So, why is your dog looking up at the ceiling? There are many possible reasons for your dog to stare at the ceiling. They may sense something like a mouse on the other side of the drywall, see lights and shadows, or simply be bored. However, other symptoms that may come with ceiling-staring can indicate more serious issues, like epilepsy.
So, without further ado, let’s not dilly dally and get right to the heart of the matter to explore why your pooch’s favorite pastime is looking up at the ceiling.
Reasons Why Your Dog May Be Looking Up At The Ceiling
You have to understand that dogs have heightened senses. Just because you can’t see or hear anything doesn’t mean there’s nothing there, even on the other side of the wall. But don’t fear, you need not call the Ghostbusters.
Here are the possible reasons your dog is staring at the ceiling, from most to least common causes.
1. Pests
If you repeatedly find your dog looking up at the ceiling with its snout upward, ears and nose twitching, you don’t need an exorcist – you need an exterminator. Why? Because you’re more likely to have a pest problem.
As mentioned earlier, dogs have a really fantastic sense of smell and hearing, and if you have rats, roaches, or wasps in the attic, then it’s very likely that your doggo will pick up the clues way before you do.
Your dog is simply trying to track the scent or sound of creepy crawlies. Even something as obscure as a termite infestation or a damaged pipeline will be obvious to your dog.
2. Lights And Shadows
You might find a rotating night lamp fascinating, but most dogs tend to see a play of light and shadows to be frightening. If your pooch has its eyes glued to the ceiling, then it might be trying to figure out what the lights are.
If you don’t have any moving or flickering lights on, shadows can still move across the ceiling and spark your pup’s curiosity. They may sit and stare in the same spot where they saw the shadow out of the corner of their eye, hoping to see it again.
3. Boredom
Unfortunately, when your dog isn’t mentally or physically stimulated, it will adopt many peculiar behaviors. These may include ruining your favorite cushions, chewing on your brand new shoes, and, of course, staring at the ceiling.Â
Certain dog breeds don’t care for many exercises and prefer ennui, such as the Bulldog or Basset Hound. However, some dog breeds do not do well with little movement and develop behavioral problems when they don’t get enough exercise, such as German Shepherds and Huskies.
There are other accompanying behaviors when your dog is under-stimulated, such as pacing, excessive licking, unprompted whining and groaning, sudden stretching fits, excessive chewing and nibbling on things, and wrecking up your home in general.
4. They Feel A Breeze
If you live in a hot and humid climate, your dog might look up at the ceiling if it feels a gust of wind coming through a vent. Your dog will likely choose to sit in that very spot where it feels a draft coming in, especially if it’s a scorching day.
But, if the temperature is frigid and your pooch is looking up at the ceiling, then it might be looking for where a draft may be coming into your house.
It may be something too mild for you to pick up, but seeing as how your dog is so good at catching the faintest of signals, it may be trying to detect the crack or opening through which the air might be entering into their home.
5. Anxiety
Dogs often associate loud sounds with negative experiences. If your pooch doesn’t like sudden or blaring noises, then your dog may be looking up if the upstairs neighbors are having a rather loud party or the neighborhood construction is getting a little out of hand.
Some dogs even hate the sound of horns honking and fireworks so, it may be that your dog is looking up at the ceiling to calm itself down.
6. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
It’s true that canines, too, can develop OCD. If your pooch is staring up at the ceiling and seems to be biting at insects that aren’t there, then your doggo may have OCD. The probability of OCD increases if your dog seems to show such behavior at excess and randomly. Of course, we always recommend speaking with a local veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.
According to a study conducted, most dogs develop OCD around social maturity, at 18-24 months of age. Unfortunately, OCD is a trait that your dog can inherit from its parents.
It does seem to be varied according to breed. For example, shepherding dogs tend to chase their tails. Other symptoms of OCD are lip-smacking, excessive licking, and biting of limbs.
OCD is a condition that worsens over time. If you feel that your fur baby is showing signs of OCD, you had better not delay and consult with a vet. OCD can be controlled if detected early. With appropriate training, your dog can be treated.
7. Ticks Around Eye Area
Hear us out – there is a chance that your poor furball is suffering from a tick infestation. Dogs get ticks all the time. Going out on walks, playing in the mud or sand, and generally having fun at a park can call be chances for ticks to latch onto your dog. Ticks can easily hide in the heavy fur of your pooch.
As your dog cannot scratch its eyes effectively, it’ll roll its eye upward if there is a tick sitting anywhere close or under the eyelid.
So, if your dog seems to be struggling to get something off of its eyes and is obviously uncomfortable, please don’t wait for even a second to take your pup to the vet so they can remove the tick properly.
8. Eyelid Growths
Some canines can develop tumors under their eyelids. Vets claim that 75% of eyelid growths aren’t cancerous. These lumps under the eyelid may not even be painful. But, the lumps are undoubtedly bothersome, and your dog may wind up looking at the ceiling most of the time to distract itself from the annoyance.
9. Foreign Body In The Eye
Sometimes your dog may get hair or dust or even a tiny blade of grass in its eye. It goes without saying that your pooch has no way of removing that loathsome piece of dirt from its eyes. Your pet might try to scratch or rub it, only to make matters worse.
They may even revert to looking at the ceiling to relieve some of the pain or irritation. Washing your dog’s eyes with some clean and cool water might help resolve the problem. If the problem persists, then it’s best to get medical advice from a vet.
10. Canine Dementia
Dogs beyond twelve years of age are prone to developing canine dementia. Twelve dog years is equivalent to around 64-77 years old in human years. At such an age, humans also develop mental illnesses such as Alzheimer’s or dementia.
A lazy eye is a clear symptom of canine dementia. Also, your dog may even suffer from excess weight loss, loss of appetite, a change in sleeping patterns, house soiling, and disorientation. Dogs at such an age often zone out and are seen to be staring up at the ceiling.
11. Blocked Anal Sacs
Gross, we know, but this isn’t an uncommon issue. If your dog appears to stare at the ceiling, licking its bum, and dragging their butt across the floor the next, then there is a chance that your dog might have suffered an injury. Anal sacs are two sacks inside the anal cavity of dogs that secret a musk that is meant to help them mark territory.
But, if your dog has an impacted anal sac, then it might be trying to get an idea about how to remedy it. There’s no way your dog can just come up to you and tell you it’s in pain, but perhaps by acting strange, you might pick up a vibe or two.
If you think your fur baby has blocked anal sacs, then there are no two ways about it; you need to get to a vet straight away.
12. Idiopathic Epilepsy
There is no way of knowing why some dogs get idiopathic epilepsy. However, 5.7% of canines around the world develop this disorder. There’s no exact cause of getting idiopathic epilepsy. It is commonly found in dog breeds like the Beagle, Labrador Retriever, Shetland Sheepdog, and Vizslas.
Canines tend to get seizures during an idiopathic epilepsy attack. It’s common for dogs with epilepsy to star into space before a seizure. These seizures may start around six months or five years of age.
It isn’t a curable condition; however, once it has been diagnosed by a veterinarian and treatment is prescribed, your dog may not suffer from continued seizures, or they may lessen.
13. Fly-Catching Syndrome
Fly-catching syndrome is both a symptom and an ailment. Dogs tend to develop fly-catching syndrome through food allergies, visual anomalies, peripheral neuropathy, and even vitreous opacity issues. However, fly-catching syndrome is extremely rare.
14. Gastrointestinal Disease
Canines that suffer from gastrointestinal disease tend to crane their necks forward and tilt their noses upward to give some relief to their upper intestine. So, what may seem like star gazing to you may be an illness in the mouth, stomach, esophagus, or small intestine.
Gastrointestinal disease can be a harrowing experience for your dog and is often accompanied by other symptoms such as anorexia, loss of appetite, dry heaving, gagging, and regurgitation.
Also, gastrointestinal disease only gets worse the longer it isn’t treated. So, if your dog stares blankly into space and seems to be off its food, then it is time for a visit to the vet without any delay.
15. Flea Treatments
Specific flea treatments can cause seizures, tremors, vomiting, and nausea in dogs. You may even catch your pup staring at the ceiling and biting its tail too. According to the FDA, some flea treatments have a component called isoxazoline. This is claimed to be safe for canines. but some dogs are allergic to isoxazoline.
What Can You Do To Help Your Dog?
Most dog owners tend to worry themselves sick for the well-being of their canines. Even in times of dire stress, you need to keep a level head on your shoulders.
The best thing to do if you catch your dog looking up at the ceiling is to get a good idea about how often your pet repeats the action. If you find your pooch frequently star gazing, and you even notice other symptoms such as weight loss or loss of appetite, then head straight to the vet.
But, if your dog seems to be doing nothing but star gazing, and seems to be enjoying its meals and going about its business as usual, then you need not worry so much.
If you still want to keep things safe, then you can discuss your dog’s behavior with the vet on your dog’s regular medical checkup. If the vet prescribes a few tests, then you should follow through. If the vet feels that your pooch is just acting funny, you have to accept your furball with all of its odd habits.
If you do want to get a flea treatment for your doggo or make any significant changes in your dog’s diet, then discussing it with the vet is always a good idea.
Final Thoughts
Dogs make faithful and fun companions. But, you have to accept that being a pet parent is a serious responsibility.
Dogs do a lot of funny things. But, if your pooch is star gazing or staring at the ceiling too often and doesn’t seem to be doing too well in terms of appetite or energy levels, then you should certainly have a word with the local vet. Otherwise, enjoy the funny and weird antics of your furry friend.
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