Why does my dog want me to scratch his bum

The sight of a dog dragging his butt across the floor might make you laugh (or cringe, if it happens right in the middle of your elegant dinner party), but dog scooting can be a sign that something is wrong “back there.” So, why does dog scooting happen? And can you ever treat dog scooting at home or should you always see your vet? Let’s learn more about dog scooting.

Inhaltsverzeichnis Show

Why Is My Dog Scooting Their Butt on the Floor?
What to Do About Dog Scooting
When to See a Vet About Scooting
Can You Stop Dog Anal Gland Issues and Dog Scooting in the First Place?
What to Do About Chronic Anal Gland Distress

Why Is My Dog Scooting Their Butt on the Floor?

Dog scooting might happen for a variety of reasons, but usually the issue is itching or pain. If your dog’s butt is bothering him, he might drag it on the carpet or grass in an attempt to alleviate that itch or discomfort. Many things cause an itchy bum in dogs, but impacted or infected anal glands are among the most common culprits.

If your dog is scooting regularly, your vet will want to check for inflammation or infection. ©Greg King

Dog anal glands are two small internal sacs positioned on either side of a dog’s anus. In normal dogs, they contain a smelly liquid that’s excreted every time the dog poops (this is likely a mechanism for marking territory). In some dogs, inflammation prevents this liquid from being expelled when the dog poops. Instead, it builds up inside the two sacs, where it can become very thick, more like a paste than a liquid. Full anal glands can be very uncomfortable for the dog and can even become infected.

Other reasons for dog scooting include intestinal parasites (especially tapeworms), injuries or tumors in or around the anus, rectal prolapse and allergies. In addition to your dog scooting, you might also notice him licking his backend excessively.

What to Do About Dog Scooting

If you notice your dog scooting just once or just here and there, you might not need to rush off to the vet. “It depends on how much it’s happening,” says Cynthia Karsten, DVM, outreach veterinarian for the Koret Shelter Medicine Program at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine’s Center for Companion Animal Health. “Sometimes, they might just have an itch. Like with most things, it depends on how often it’s happening and how much the pet seems to be affected by it.”

You could try cleaning the area with a gentle shampoo and soft washcloth, making sure to rinse away all the soap completely and dry the area well with a clean towel.

Dog scooting happens for a few different reasons. Photography ©GlobalP | Thinkstock.

When to See a Vet About Scooting

If the dog scooting in question happens more than once a day, or if the behavior goes on for more than a day or two, it’s time for a visit to the vet. “The first thing the vet will do is a rectal exam, just to see what’s going on with the anal glands and check for any signs of inflammation or infection,” Dr. Karsten says. Your vet will likely also want to do a fecal exam to look for any signs of intestinal parasites. If the fecal test comes back positive for any parasites, your vet will prescribe a deworming medication to eliminate the worms and put a stop to your dog’s scooting.

On the other hand, if the anal glands are full or look impacted, the vet will attempt to express the glands. “If they’re really impacted, they might not express, and then the vet might need to sedate the dog and put medication into the anal glands to get them cleared out so they stay that way,” Dr. Karsten says. “If it really becomes a chronic issue, some dogs need to have them removed.” Surgery to remove the anal glands can be complex, so your regular vet might refer you to a specialist.

Can You Stop Dog Anal Gland Issues and Dog Scooting in the First Place?

Adding fiber to your dog’s diet can firm up the stool, making it more likely that the glands will be able to express on their own when your dog poops. One way to do this is to add a few tablespoons of plain canned pumpkin to your dog’s food. Commercial anal gland supplements containing fiber are also available. Your vet may suggest anal gland supplements before discussing surgical options.

What to Do About Chronic Anal Gland Distress

Some dogs who frequently develop full or impacted anal glands might benefit from having them expressed manually on a regular basis. Your vet can do this (or teach you how if you’re not too squeamish). However, not all dogs need to have an anal gland expression done. Some groomers routinely express anal glands while bathing, but it’s probably not necessary to express them if your dog is not having any issues — and it could possibly even cause harm.

“I’ve heard lots of vets and dermatologists say that you shouldn’t mess with a dog’s anal glands unless there is a problem,” Dr. Karsten explains. “In my experience, you should leave them alone unless there’s a problem, because if they’re healthy, they should express on their own. You can actually cause a problem if you’re not careful.”

Thumbnail: Photography ©Fly_dragonfly | Thinkstock.

This piece was originally published in 2017.

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Your dog might sit on your feet, back up into your leg, or spin in excitement until their rear is closest to you. And sometimes, when you expect a happy slurp in greeting, you might get a face full of dog butt instead.A dog’s butt is so much more complex, both physiologically and socially, than a human’s. You probably know that dogs sniff each other’s rear ends to get acquainted, but what else goes on beneath the tail? Why do they turn around and give you their rear instead of their face? Is this normal behavior? Why do they think we want their back end instead of their front?

Dogs sniff each other’s rears as part of their introduction. It’s an important way that dogs get information about each other. Humans might think it’s strange or awkward, but for a dog, a routine sniff beneath the tail is more effective than shaking hands and saying “hello.”Because of scent glands under their tails, a dog can sniff out all kinds of information, including what the dog eats, their general health, mood, sex, age, how much they exercise, and even stress level. Additionally, this “rear-first” method of introduction can sometimes stave off a conflict, as it avoids direct eye contact which leads to assessing dominance between the two dogs. Since greeting others in this manner is natural for dogs, sometimes they assume that humans feel the same way.The other common behavior dogs will demonstrate is something usually called the “hip nudge.” A dog presenting their rear to you is a sign of passivity and friendliness. Turning their face away demonstrates that they trust you and don’t feel threatened. A dog will either touch you gently with their hip or bum, or will wait passively with their backs to you. A dog that isn’t comfortable with you won’t turn their backs and show this form of vulnerability. They’re showing that their teeth are furthest away from you and don’t intend to harm you.Another possible, related reason why dogs present their rumps to you is attempting to “claim” you. Since those scent glands under their tails are a massive source of pheromones, chemical smells that we humans don’t notice, they may be trying to leave their scents on you, therefore claiming you as theirs. Which is totally normal. Dogs just want to show you how much they love you and be close to you.One other simple reason: they just want a good scratch. Dogs who have been affected by fleas may have a particular spot, just above the base of the tail on their backs, where the itchy sensation becomes localized. Even if they don’t have fleas, that spot is a common favorite in a lot of dogs.

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Your dog’s rear-first greeting is completely normal and acceptable. Don’t be offended if your dog would much rather sit on your foot than lick your face. Even if they might seem a little pushy or persistent with their rumps, it doesn’t mean your dog is trying to control you or dominate you. Actually, the reverse is true: you dog is showing you passivity. A dog presenting their rear is communicating that they trust you not to harm them, and that they, in turn, won’t harm you. It’s a gesture made out of love, friendliness, and trust.If your dog is really persistent—or really big—and their hip bumps are actually knocking you or your kids over, don’t punish them for their hip nudges. They don’t realize their loving greeting can hurt anyone. Instead, give them the affection and attention in greeting (like a good scratch above the tail) before they can knock into you, and distract them with a toy or something else. You can also consult a trainer to work on training your dog to sit and calm down for a few minutes when you first greet them at the door, so their excited backside bumps don’t result in any accidental knockdowns.

Since dogs only want to show you love and passivity by showing you their rears, there’s nothing about showing you their rear that should be considered concerning. You may feel differently if you’ve ever been awoken by a dog sitting on your head, but they don’t mean any harm by it. If you have a large dog and small children, you may need to work with your dog to avoid overexuberance-caused accidents, but don’t punish your dog for their hip nudges. It would be like yelling at someone for saying “I love you.”If your dog has demonstrated other behaviors, like rubbing their bum on the carpet or grass, you may need to consult a vet to rule out parasites or other conditions that may be affecting them.

A dog’s rear end is a complex body part, used not only for expelling waste and occasionally gas, but also for introductions, pheromones, and demonstrating their love and their trust for you. So, if you have a dog who loves butting in, give them a scratch and a pet. They love you!