It turns out that humans aren't the only ones with a sense of humor. You might be surprised to know that animals also find things funny. And they sometimes go out of their way to amuse their furry friends, and non-animal pals.

Philip Tedeschi is an expert when it comes to the human-animal connection. He's a go-to specialist for online pet marketplace Rover, and he told Bored Panda that animals play because they have a sense of humor.

"Dogs, like other human and non-human animals, are highly sentient with the capacity to engage in reciprocal exchanges with members of both the same and different species, rooted in the ability to experience consciousness and a diverse range of emotional states," Tedeschi said during an interview with us.

"This includes the awareness of one's environment, along with the ability to feel emotions such as joy, grief, love, and empathy. In both humans and animals, sentience also involves cognitive integration, where emotional experiences influence learning, memory, and adaptive behaviors, enabling problem-solving and complex interactions. Play is one of them!"

The expert adds that dogs can and do find best friends that engage in the type of play they find most enjoyable and reciprocal. "Evidence of learning and memory capacity in animals demonstrates their ability to engage with the world and adapt their behaviors in response to both external stimuli and emotional states," he says. "Just like humans, animals exhibit the capacity to engage in playful, curious, and social behaviors, which are essential for forming bonds, exploring their surroundings, and ensuring survival."

Play is literally one of the behaviors that is critical to all species, Tedeschi explained, but it’s so easily observed and joyful in dogs. "The opportunity to play is critical to a dog’s happiness. In additional to it being fun and enjoyable, it also serves as a critical form of mental health and well-being. It serves as a platform for friendship, building of social bonds, and skills, and many other aspects of a healthy social and emotional life."

Have you ever watched a dog chase its tail? They sprint around in circles, and one would swear they don’t know the appendage is actually part of their own body. If you’re wondering what’s behind this weird but funny behavior, experts say it could be one of many things.

"Generally, the reasons most commonly used to explain these behaviors are fun and games (play), boredom, irritants such as burs, parasites, fleas or ticks, overstimulation, anxiety and hyper-arousal, injury or other medical issues," ​Tedeschi told Bored Panda.

The expert says dogs sometimes even chase other dogs' tails. "It’s important to remember that all animals have both species-specific behaviors that may be common in that particular species but are also individuals," said Tedeschi.

They might be bored, or seeking attention, says Dr. Jerry Klein, the American Kennel Club’s Chief Veterinarian. “Many times, the action is benign in nature, such as play or attention, to induce someone or something to play with them. Even negative attention, such as a reprimand, might be considered by the puppy as positive attention,” Klein suggested.

Sometimes, tail-chasing is purely out of curiosity. Certified professional dog trainer Erika Lessa writes that the behavior might begin when a young pup suddenly becomes aware of its tail and begins checking it out with its mouth. “Their spinning is a short-lived effort to get more information about their tail,” says Lessa.

Klein adds that in puppies, most tail-chasing is harmless fun. It often reduces or stops with age. “If tail-chasing becomes more frequent or severe over a relatively short period of time, a veterinarian should be consulted,” he advises.

Tedeschi tells Bored Panda that if the behavior is new and has never before been observed in an adult dog you observe routinely, there is an increased likelihood that there is an acute issue with their tail that is distressing.

"When dogs chase their tails routinely and attempting to bite or lick its tail repeatedly it important to determine the cause and seek assistance. For example, the term 'Happy Tail' for example is a painful or uncomfortable condition that occurs when a dog injures the tip or the base of its tail by frequently hitting it against objects or even dislocating the base," he explained. "If this behavior is chronic, or there is a sign of injury, it is worth having it checked by a vet."

"If chasing their tail starts from an early age or is generally only observed during play, they might simply be intrigued by their and other animals’ tails find it fun and genuine curiosity or good way to burn of energy like the zoomies," Tedeschi told Bored Panda.

While humans find the behavior funny and entertaining, all three experts agree that it can sometimes point to a deeper doggie issue. And it doesn’t always pay to laugh at your pooch. By giving the dog attention for chasing its tail, we are reinforcing the behavior.

“Some people encourage the behavior by laughing, giving the dog a treat, or even by showing the dog their tail to prompt the behavior,” writes Lessa. “This teaches the dog that tail-chasing will result in something they like or want, and so they will do it more. If the attention stops, the dog may become frustrated and engage in the behavior even more, trying to get their pet parent to give them attention or treats.” 

Klein adds that tail chasing might indicate a health issue like Canine Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS). This is especially relevant for older pooches. “As a dog ages, the neurons in the brain responsible for transmitting information begin to break down, leading to a condition similar to Alzheimer’s disease,” he explains. “Aside from tail-chasing, other symptoms may include sleep pattern changes, disorientation, and separation anxiety.”

Lessa cautions that your dog might be chasing their tail because they have chronic stress or anxiety. Humans aren’t the only ones who battle their mental health. The expert adds that sometimes tail-chasing helps the dog avoid frightening situations or provides a feeling of relief.

“Repetitive behaviors, such as tail-chasing, that are triggered by environmental conditions are known as stereotypic behavior,” she says. “They happen in predictable patterns or rhythms. For example, a dog held in a kennel without enough enrichment may begin to spin in a tight circle, grab their tail, and continue to spin.”

Lessa advises pet owners to make sure their pooch gets enough exercise and enrichment if they notice this behavior. Engaging in activities with your dog can keep their bodies and minds occupied, adds Klein.

You could also opt to flat-out ignore your dog’s tail-chasing antics, in the hope that they’ll stop. This means giving it no attention at all. No laughing or asking them to stop. But the experts note that while you shouldn’t reward tail-chasing, you should always monitor the animal to make sure there are no other concerning signs.

“If increasing personal attention and activity for the dog does not seem to resolve the issue, further assistance may be needed,” advises Klein. “If an obvious underlying medical issue is not determined by a veterinarian, referring you and your dog to a certified animal trainer or behaviorist, or even possibly a neurologist, might be of help.”