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Know What’s Going On With Your Dog’s Nutrition

A healthy gut is essential for your pet’s health and well-being. The Petivity Microbiome Analysis Kit enables you to uncover new insights that can help you proactively manage your pet’s health and wellness.

We use science to reveal what’s hidden and proactively lead the way toward a better life for you and your pet.

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If you’ve ever watched your dog play, you’ve likely seen the “victory roll.” They grab their favorite squeaky hedgehog or a tattered rope, drop it on the floor, and proceed to wiggle their entire body over it with reckless abandon—legs kicking in the air and a goofy grin on their face.

It’s one of the most endearing (and slightly confusing) things dogs do. While it looks like pure silliness, there are actually some fascinating, instinctual reasons behind this quirky behavior.

To us, a dog toy smells like rubber or plush fabric. To your dog, that toy is a sponge for scents. When a dog rolls on a toy, they are often engaging in scent marking. By rubbing their neck and back against it, they are transferring their own scent onto the toy to claim it as theirs.

Conversely, they might be trying to pick up the scent of the toy. If the toy has been outside or buried in a toy box, it carries a "story" of smells that your dog wants to wear like a badge of honor.

It sounds a bit intense for a fluffy golden retriever, but many dog behaviors are rooted in their ancestral history as hunters. In the wild, wolves might roll in the scent of their prey to camouflage their own odor.

When your dog vigorously rolls on a squeaky toy, they might be celebrating a successful "hunt." The squeak mimics the sound of small prey, and the rolling is a way of basking in the triumph of the catch.

Sometimes, the explanation is much simpler: it just feels good. Dogs can’t reach the middle of their backs very well. A textured toy—like a bumpy rubber ball or a knotted rope—provides the perfect "scratchy" surface to relieve an itch. If you notice your dog rolling specifically on toys with interesting textures, they’ve likely just discovered a DIY massage tool.

Commonly referred to by trainers as a "calm-down" or "joy" rub, rolling is often a sign of high spirits. When a dog is excited to see you or thrilled that it’s playtime, they release that pent-up energy by flopping over. It’s the canine equivalent of us jumping for joy or doing a happy dance.

In the vast majority of cases, rolling on toys is a sign of a happy, healthy dog. However, keep an eye out for:

The next time you see your pup wriggling around on their favorite stuffed animal, take a second to enjoy the show. It’s a glimpse into their wild history—and a clear sign that they are feeling right at home.

Here are the recent recalls and advisories:

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