This is also known as scooting. As cute as that sounds, it is your dog’s way of relieving himself/herself of discomfort or itch.

There are many possible causes ranging from mild to serious. That is why knowing what that ‘pain-in-the-butt’ means, is the first step to helping your furry buddy.

Your dog could be scooting because of...

1) Skin Irritation

Did your dog go to the groomer’s recently? It is possible that the skin at the bum area or under the tail is just itching from clipper burns.

What you can do:

Check for little nicks or clipper burns (signs of rash or redness). Clean and dry that area, and use a warm compress to ease the itch. If it gets worse, get some topical cream from the vet.

Another possible cause of irritation is a dirty, messy bottom due to diarrhoea. Wet poop stuck to matted fur can cause a lot of discomfort.

What you can do:

Give your dog a bum bath with warm water and then make sure that area is dry. You can also trim off some of the matted fur carefully. If the diarrhoea persists after 24 hours, you should contact your vet.

2) Clogged Up Anal Glands

Anal glands hold thick, oily and smelly liquid which naturally gets released when your dog poops. Normal bowel movements will trigger these glands to be emptied completely. But sometimes, your dog’s anal glands can become blocked.

"If your dog is constantly chewing, licking the area around his/her anus and have trouble pooping, it is likely to be problems with the anal glands." - Dr Arman Chen, Veterinary Surgeon & Practice Manager, Gaia Vets

What you can do:

Bring your dog to the vet to get the anal glands checked out or expressed. Dietary adjustments may be necessary to ensure your dog is pooping properly, e.g. more fibre for better bowel movements.

3) Infected Anal Glands

These usually occur if the anal glands remain clogged up and start to form abscesses. Your dog may show symptoms such as shivering, being in pain and having trouble sitting.

If left untreated, abscessed anal glands can rupture. You may notice smelly, bloody and/or pustular discharge from your dog's anal region.

What you can do:

Get your dog immediate medical attention. He/she may need antibiotics to clear the infection.

4) Intestinal Parasites

A tapeworm infestation can cause frequent scooting. Your dog could have ingested fleas or stuff infested with tapeworms.

If you notice small segments that resemble rice grains in your dog’s poop or attached to the anus, those are bits of tapeworm.

What you can do:

A trip to the vet for some deworming medication will get rid of these worms. To protect your dog from tapeworms, you need to be up to date with feeding your doggo preventive medication.

There you go. Next time when your dog starts dragging his bum, you know what to do.

Remember that you are not alone in this. We have an entire team of dedicated vets, techs and nurses to help you take care of your furry buddies. So come to Gaia Vets today!