Dog Scooting Explained: Anal Glands, Allergies, or Something More Serious?

Dog scooting might sound like a type of cute dance you’d do on a night out on the town with friends, but in reality, it’s not so pretty. Dog scooting is when your pup gets in the sitting position, splays his legs out, and quite literally scoots his booty along a surface, be it grassy, gravelly, or earthy.

Why do dogs do this? Is it normal? Does it mean something’s wrong? The team at Coal Creek Animal Hospital tells pet parents everything they need to know about this mysterious and slightly unsettling practice.

Why Do Dogs Scoot?

Dogs scoot because they are uncomfortable. Specifically, they scoot because their anal region is feeling off for some reason.

And there are plenty of reasons for scooting-tooting behavior, including:

• Skin or food allergies that cause irritation around the anus when your pup poops
• Full, impacted, or infected anal glands
• Intestinal parasites, such as tapeworms
• Matted fur or fecal material stuck around the anus
• Inflammation, infection, or another, seemingly random skin issue affecting the area, like a cut or bruise

The good thing is that these conditions can be diagnosed and treated fairly quickly. As soon as you say the words, “My dog is scooting her butt on the ground!” your veterinary team will have a good idea of which diagnostic tests to run. They’ll take a look at your pup’s behind, do a physical examination, and most likely ask for a fresh stool sample, so be prepared for that smelly task.

From there, they can figure out what’s causing the booty-scooting situation. And once they’ve pinned that down, an array of treatment options awaits. For instance, if allergies are causing the anal discomfort, your veterinarian can recommend treatment to reduce the inflammation and itching. If it’s more of a full-anal-gland situation, an anal gland expression might be in order.

Dog Scooting Diagnosis and Treatment in Lafayette, CO

Here’s the thing: butts don’t phase our experienced team here at Coal Creek Animal Hospital. We won’t be grossed out, we promise. We deal with dog poop, butts, and bowels all the time. So please don’t hesitate to give us a call if your pup is scooting her butt along what feels like every surface imaginable (or even just a surface or two).

She’s uncomfortable, and we can help. Call us at (720) 894-4005 to set up an appointment today!