Sometimes, you may notice your pet dog or a street dog dragging their bum on the carpet or ground in circles. This unusual behavior is called “dog scooting”.
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Is scooting normal for dogs?
Yes, it is normal for dogs to do scooting to get relief from itching, pain, and irritation around the area of their anus. But these also are symptoms that are linked to severe health illness or condition. Let’s discuss each problem one by one.
Reason for scooting in dogs
Here are 5 possible reasons why do dogs drag their bottoms.
- Anal Sacs Infection: The most common reason that happens in both male and female dogs at any age. Anal sacs or glands are tiny pockets that secrete a special fluid scent in the anus wall through a small duct. It comes naturally after passing stool and has a foul smell in it. Sometimes inflammation in the duct makes sacs inflamed and blocked the fluid. When it occurs, a dog feels pain in the anus region and tries to drag its bum to the floor. Treatment involves manual expression with fingers, flushing fluid, and the use of antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs. Anal sacs removal surgery is required if it is infected and forms an abscess.
- Anal Sacs Trauma: Unwanted squeezing anal sacs’ fluid by owners or groomers may stop the functionality of anal sacs that leads to infections or clogging.
- Diarrhea and Loose Stool: Watery stool can produce less pressure that is not enough to empty anal sacs. Feeding a balanced diet every day with fiber can help with digestion-related problems. Consult with the vet if you see no progress after the diet change.
- Parasites like tapeworms can also be a cause of scooting due to skin irritation. A dog gets tapeworms when consumes a host flea that has tapeworm’s eggs. In the small intestine, eggs grow into an adult and stick to the intestine’s wall. Adults have a body structure made of small segments called proglottids that look like a grain of white rice. In the mature stage, proglottids contain eggs that are ready to detach to come out with the dog’s stool. Deworming through medicine like praziquantel is a simple and effective way to get rid of tapeworms. It dissolves the parasites in the gut without any side effects. To prevent it keep your dog away from other animal feces and control fleas using spray and shampoo.
- Grooming: If your dog does scoot after grooming it can happen because of a clipper or razor burn while cutting fur. An overheating clipper and the use of a dull blade can cause skin irritation, pain, and itches. Some dogs are allergic to a few dog grooming products. Change or use natural dog grooming products and make a habit to check their skin after grooming. Never try to use human products because these may contain toxic chemicals like xylitol that are poisonous to dogs.
Home remedies for dog scooting
Now you know why a pooch does scoot now we discuss some remedies that help in providing relief and prevention.
- Hygiene: Regularly wash and clean the bottom of your dog to remove sticky poop or mud in fur or skin around the anus. If needed cut the fur around the anus area that stuck if your dog have diarrhea. Read useful tips on how to clean your dog’s dirty belly.
- Parasite prevention: Critic acid in lemon is a natural repellent to repel insects like fleas and ticks. Cut a lemon and squeeze its juice into a jar and add some hot water into it. Rest it for some hours until it steeps completely. After that ensure that your dog has no allergies to the solution and spray it on the dog. Online products like anti-tick & flea shampoos are also the easiest way to get rid of parasites.
- Dietary modifications: Add more water and fluids to your dog’s diet to relieve constipation naturally. You can also give fiber-rich fruits and vegetables that give stool more bulky formation which helps in bowel movement and naturally squeeze-out anal sacs. Pumpkins, baby carrots, or dried sweet potatoes are good sources of fiber.
- A warm compress can provide comfort from inflation in anal sacs. To do it first you need to soak a cloth in warm water with Epsom salt or Witch Hazel. Squeeze the water out of cloth and apply it to the affected area for 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat it, but not more than twice per day.
- Overweight: An obese dog has more chance to get anal sac issues than a normal dog. Adding exercise of 30 minutes 3 times every day to your dog’s daily routine can help in burning extra fat.
FAQ
Why is my dog scooting and can’t poop?
Constipation or impacted anal glands can be reason for it. Adding fiber-rich food and increasing water in the diet can help a dog with constipation.