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If you’re a dog owner, chances are you’ve seen your dog dragging, or scooting, their bottom on the ground. It can be an unwelcome sight to see your pup doing this, whether it happens outside in the grass or indoors.
It’s normal to feel unsettled when you see this behavior from a dog. But knowing why your dog is dragging their butt can and help you address any issues yourself or decide to consult your veterinarian.
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Your dog could be scooting or dragging their butt for a few different reasons. The following are some common causes.
Often, if a dog has some sort of parasite — such as tapeworms — they’ll scoot as a way to scratch an itch the worms are causing. Tapeworms are a common intestinal parasite that dogs get from ingesting flea larva. These tapeworms irritate a dog’s anal region. If you suspect your dog may be scooting for this reason, you may be able to see the worms in your dog’s stool.1
With many parasites, including tapeworms, you may not be able to see any physical signs. So it’s important to make a vet appointment if your dog keeps scooting.1
If a dog is dealing with an allergic reaction, itchiness is a common symptom. Fleas, dust mites, or certain plants could be aggravating your dog’s skin, causing them to scoot if the irritation is on or around their rear end.2
A food allergy could also be to blame for a dog’s butt dragging. Some vets consider skin irritation issues to be the most prevalent symptom of food allergies in dogs. So a dog who’s itching their behind could be dealing with a food-related allergic reaction.3 If you’ve noticed your dog scooting their butt, look for other signs of digestive problems, like vomiting, and make an appointment with your vet if you suspect your dog is dealing with an allergy to something they’re eating.
Another common reason for a dog dragging its butt is blocked anal glands. Also called anal sacs, these glands express — or squeeze out — a strong scent when a dog defecates as a way to communicate with other dogs.2,3 Sometimes, the glands don’t express properly, causing them to get too full and inflamed. This can be uncomfortable for your dog, so they’ll try to express the glands themselves by scooting their butt on the ground and licking it a lot.2,3
If your dog’s anal glands aren’t emptying like they should, they can be manually expressed by your vet. Some dog groomers offer the service as well. You can even express your dog’s anal glands yourself.4 Scooting or no scooting, it’s important to take action if you think your pup is dealing with an anal gland issue. These glands can get infected or develop into an abscess, which could rupture.2 If an abscess develops in your dog’s anal glands, your vet may recommend surgery and antibiotics.5
When the last part of a dog’s large intestine — also called the rectum — is protruding through a dog’s anus, it’s called a rectal prolapse. This could happen to your pup from straining too much when constipated or after having severe diarrhea.5 This is considered a medical emergency. So call your vet if you see prolapsed tissue sticking out of your dog’s butt. If the prolapse is severe, surgery may be needed.5
Dogs tend to be pretty good at cleaning themselves, but it can be hard for them to keep their butts clean at times. If your dog’s bottom feels dirty to them, especially after defecating, they may scoot their butt on the ground in an attempt to clean it.3 This dragging shouldn’t last long and typically isn’t cause for concern.
No one enjoys seeing their pet hurting or uncomfortable. If you see your dog dragging their butt on the ground, chances are they may be experiencing at least a bit of discomfort. Fortunately, MetLife Pet Insurance can help you cover many of the solutions for parasites, allergies, blocked anal glands, and many other issues with your pup.
For example, a dog named Jumbo was scooting his butt a lot. His owner took him to the vet, where he was diagnosed with intestinal parasites and put on dewormer medication. The cost was about $110, but MetLife Pet covered about $100 of the bill.6
A dog insurance policy can be a great way to potentially help you save money on veterinary care for your beloved pooch. Get a free quote from MetLife Pet today to get started.
