Dog Scooting – Things You Need to Know
Sometimes when a pet behaves strangely, it may cause us concern. One behavior that we are speaking of is when dogs rub their butts on the ground, carpet, or grass. There are many reasons why your dog may be partaking in dog “scooting.” Ultimately, this is a sign that something is irritating your dog, which is what we will outline throughout our article.
Dogs may be scooting due to health issues. To no surprise, dogs communicate with their rear ends, which is why they scoot. One of the most common concerns is anal sac problems. This is usually a smelly substance found in your dog’s anal sacs. Unfortunately, these sacs can get blocked or inflamed and even have abscesses. If the sacs are infected, the vet will clear them and potentially administer an antibiotic to treat the infection.
Fecal contamination may be another reason your dog is scooting to get relief. The treatment might require cleaning away the dirty area by trimming the hair. A dog may have tapeworms which will cause it to scoot. Look around your dog’s anus, and you will see tiny little segments that look like rice. They will need to be treated by your veterinarian. Rectal prolapse occurs after a dog has bad diarrhea or constipation. Treatment will vary in that the vet might stitch the anus of the dog to stop a prolapse from happening again.
Dogs may also scoot due to the discomfort of wounds or tumors. Swelling can indicate an anal tumor and can be very painful to your dog. Did you know that some dogs develop behavioral or neurological problems that lead to excessive scooting? For example, they could scoot when dogs chase their tails, are anxious or suffer neurological impairments that cause numbness or tingling.
Please understand that if your dog is scooting, there is a reason. We recommend that you start lifting your dog’s tail to check for irritations and swelling. Do you notice something that doesn’t look right? It will need to be checked by your vet. The good news is that treatment can often be quick and easy!
