Dogs' pre-defecation circling linked to Earth's magnetic field

A peculiar behavior observed in dogs, circling before defecating, might be linked to the Earth's magnetic field, according to a 2013 study. Researchers analyzed nearly 1,900 defecation events and 5,500 urination spots from 70 dogs across 37 breeds.

The study found that dogs frequently spin in circles before relieving themselves. Once they stopped spinning, they generally avoided an east-west alignment, preferring to face either north or south. This suggests a potential sensitivity to the planet's magnetic field, similar to migratory birds and salmon.

However, this precise north-south orientation was only observed when the Earth's magnetic field was stable. When solar activity disrupted the field, the dogs did not exhibit the same directional preference. Scientists are still investigating the exact reason why dogs might use their magnetic sense specifically during defecation.