Help! My dog is Scooting Across my Floors!
Courtesy: Adriana Morales / Pixabay
The sight of your dog scooting (or dragging) his butt may seem a bit funny.
But for your dog, it’s no laughing matter and indicates
potential health issues.
Keep reading to learn why your dog scoots and how to resolve it!
Why Do Dogs Scoot?
When your dog scoots – drags or rubs his butt across the floor or ground – it may be due to itchy and painful discomfort from:
· The anal sacs. But scooting can also involve:
· Allergies (food and other); or
· Parasites like tapeworms.
· Irritation (including clipper burns).
· Anal sac trauma or injury.
· Anal gland cancer (especially in Cocker Spaniels).
· Dingleberries (feces stuck in the butt’s fur).
· Genital irritation or discharge.
Scooting may also be accompanied by excessive licking or chewing, fever or bloody discharge.
The most common issue behind scooting involves the anal sacs being full, impacted, infected or swollen. (We are using the term “anal sacs” because the “glands” are inside the sacs and are responsible for producing the contained liquid.)
While scooting is a common K9 behavior, it’s time to visit your vet. While it’s common in smaller to medium-sized breeds, it’s not a healthy behavior that can be dismissed because scooting can force bacteria back into the skin and anal sacs leading to more serious complications. (Not to mention the stinky, hard-to-clean mess a scooting dog leaves behind.)
Dog Anal Sacs: 101
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While it’s not the most pleasant subject to discuss, understanding the basics can protect your pup from serious anal sac complications.
Before their domestication, dogs used the contents of their anal sacs as a form of canine communication particularly in marking their territory since each dog has their unique scent.
The two grape-sized anal sacs beneath the skin’s surface on the rear end contain and secrete a foul, fishy-smelling liquid that is normally released when your dog has a bowel movement. But when stools are too soft (or diarrhea) or very hard stools, the sacs may stop emptying properly and the sac fluid can become solidified and harder to release.
For breeds prone to anal sac issues, they should be expressed (emptied) regularly (sometimes as often as every 2 weeks). Groomers and vets offer this service or you can do it at home. (Note: only do it if you have been taught how to correctly express the glands. Doing it incorrectly can cause irritation and additional issues.)
Can the anal sacs be surgically removed?
Yes, but the surgery is usually reserved for dogs who have recurrent and frequent issues where common treatments haven’t helped.
K9 Scooting: The Breeds Most Affected
Canine scooting can happen with any breed or size although it is more common in smaller and medium-sized breeds.
The breeds more commonly prone to scooting include:
· Basset Hounds
· Beagles
· Cocker Spaniels
· Chihuahuas
· Miniature/Toy Poodles
· Lhasa Apsos
5 Ways to Help Fido Avoid Scooting
Once the anal sacs are swollen, impacted or infected, a visit to the vet is your next step as antibiotics, pain medication and warm compressions may be necessary to resolve the issue.
But there are ways you can help prevent K9 scooting!
·
Fiber: Provide enough high-quality fiber in your dog’s daily diet. If you’re not sure how much fiber to feed, consult your vet.
· Exercise: Offer enough exercise every day to stimulate bowel movements
· Water: Ensure your dog is drinking enough water daily to avoid dehydration and constipation.
· Diarrhea: Clear up any diarrhea quickly to prevent anal sac issues.
· Hygiene: Thoroughly clean your dog’s butt after each bowel movement especially removing any poop in their fur (“dingleberries”).
According to the AKC, “if your pup scoots once or twice, it may just be an itch or dirty bottom after a trip outside. But if you notice scooting behavior more frequently …
take your pup to the vet right away for an exam.”
East Valley K9 Services:
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