Why You Need To Take Your Dog To The Vet If They Are Butt Scooting

Irrespective of the breed, all dogs are adorable to their parents. Rolling in the mud, yapping at your feet, drooling for treats are all acts of cuteness and laughter. But there are some things that your dog may do not for the laughs but due to discomfort. Dogs dragging their butt across the floor incites bursts of laughter from their parents, but there is a reason behind such behavior.

Animals cannot convey their pain unless, of course, it is an external injury. However, when suffering from internal issues, they too are unaware of what they are going through, and so to communicate, animals use actions and signs. One such action is scooting. Dog scooting is no laughing matter; when you notice your fur baby scooting, understand that something is wrong.  

Why Does Scooting Happen? 

There are various reasons behind dog scooting, but the two most common are itching or pain in the butt area. Just as humans scratch an itch to alleviate discomfort, dogs drag their butt across the floor to get rid of the irritation. So why do dogs experience itching and pain in the butt area? Many things cause itch and pain in the butt area, but the common culprit is, impacted or infected anal glands.

The anal glands in a dog’s body are on either side of the dog’s anus. In typical cases, these glands excrete a smelly liquid every time a dog poops (this is most likely to mark the territory). However, in some cases, due to inflammation, the glands cannot excrete this liquid with stool. Hence this liquid builds up inside the two sacs, becoming thick into a paste form than a liquid.

These full anal glands become very uncomfortable for the dog and can even lead to infection. Apart from these common issue’s intestinal parasites, injuries, tumors (around the anus), allergies, and rectal prolapse are also probable causes of dog scooting. In addition to scooting, you will also notice your dog licking his rear end excessively. 

What To Do About Dog Scooting?

Now that you are aware of the problem, the next step is to know how to address the issue. If you notice your dog scooting only once or twice, you need not worry as much. It all depends on the frequency. If you see your dog scooting only here and there, it might just be an itch. If your dog is scooting more frequently, there might be a problem. You can try cleaning the butt area with some gentle shampoo using a soft washcloth. Make sure you rinse the area clean, so there isn’t any soap left behind. Next, dry the area gently and well using a clean towel.