Have you ever noticed your dog scooting its bottom on the floor? Scooting in dogs is a common behavior that has several possible causes, including anal gland disease, allergies, and vaginal or vulvar diseases. It’s important to understand why your dog is doing this so that you can take the necessary steps to address it. Monitoring your dog's stool consistency is also important, as it can provide early signs of health issues related to scooting. Read on to learn more about what causes scooting and how you can help them feel better!
Definition of dog scooting
Scooting, also known as dog dragging, is a behavior where dogs slide their bottom across the floor or other surfaces. This action can be quite alarming for pet owners, but it’s often a sign that something is irritating or causing discomfort around the dog’s anus.
Common causes include anal gland problems, intestinal parasites, skin allergies, or even material stuck around the anus. It is important to determine the cause of scooting as this will allow for proper treatment and faster resolution for your dog.
1. Anal gland diseases
One of the primary causes of dog scooting is anal gland disease, which can manifest in various forms, such as infection, impaction, and cancerous glands. Dogs drag their rear ends to scratch an itch, and while occasional scooting is normal, frequent behavior may indicate an underlying health issue that requires veterinary attention.
What are anal glands?
Anal glands, also referred to as anal sacs, are two small glands located on either side of a dog’s anus. These glands produce a thick, smelly liquid that adds a unique scent to a dog’s feces. This scent marking is a natural part of a dog’s communication system.
However, when these glands don’t function properly, they can cause significant discomfort. Anal gland problems, such as impaction or infection, can lead to pain and itchiness, prompting your dog to scoot in an attempt to alleviate the irritation.
Infection and impaction
Dogs have two small anal glands located on either side of their anus, which secrete a scent during defecation. These anal glands can sometimes become infected or impacted, which is very painful. When the secretions within the glands are unable to be expressed naturally, they can thicken and cause impacted anal glands.
Both infection and impaction can cause significant discomfort for your dog, prompting them to scoot in an attempt to alleviate the irritation. If left untreated, these conditions can worsen over time, potentially resulting in abscesses, ruptured glands, or even systemic infections.
Cancerous anal glands
While less common than infection or impaction, anal gland cancer is another potential cause of scooting. Malignant tumors such as adenocarcinoma can develop within the anal glands and cause similar symptoms as other anal gland diseases. These symptoms may include inflammation, discomfort, and difficulty defecating, all of which can trigger scooting in dogs.
2. Allergies
Another common cause of scooting in dogs is allergies, which can be triggered by various factors such as food ingredients or environmental elements. Allergies can also cause skin irritation or itchy skin, which may lead to scooting behavior in dogs.
Food allergies
Food allergies occur when a dog’s immune system reacts adversely to specific proteins found in its diet, leading to a food allergy. These reactions can cause inflammation and irritation around the anus, leading to scooting in dogs in an attempt to alleviate the discomfort. Common food allergens for dogs include beef, chicken, dairy, lamb, and wheat.
Environmental allergies
Environmental allergies, also known as atopic dermatitis, can be triggered by a variety of factors such as pollen, mold spores, dust mites, and even certain cleaning products.
3. Vaginal diseases
In addition to anal gland issues and allergies, scooting in dogs can also be attributed to certain vaginal diseases, such as vaginitis or perivulvar dermatitis. Both of these conditions can cause discomfort and irritation in female dogs, leading to scooting behavior. Other signs of vaginal diseases may include frequent urination, excessive licking, and changes in behavior.
Vaginitis
Vaginitis is the inflammation of the vagina, which can occur in dogs of any age. It can be caused by various factors, including bacterial infections, urinary tract infections, or foreign bodies lodged within the vaginal canal. Dogs less than a year of age can develop puppy or juvenile vaginitis.
Perivulvar dermatitis
Perivulvar dermatitis is a skin inflammation that occurs around the vulva, often resulting from chronic moisture, irritation, or infection. This condition can cause significant discomfort and itching for your dog, prompting them to scoot in an attempt to find relief. Factors that may contribute to perivulvar dermatitis include obesity, recessed vulva, urinary incontinence, or allergies.
4. Intestinal parasites
Intestinal parasites are another potential cause of scooting behavior in dogs. These parasites can lead to irritation, inflammation, and discomfort in your dog’s anal area, prompting them to scoot in an attempt to find relief. Intestinal parasites can also be transmitted through contact with other dogs or contaminated environments.
The most common parasite that can cause scooting in dogs is tapeworms. These flat, segmented worms can infest your dog’s intestines by ingesting infected fleas or consuming raw meat containing tapeworm larvae such as rabbits and small rodents. Tapeworm segments may be visible around your dog’s anus or in their feces, resembling small grains of rice.
Other medical causes of scooting
Trauma to the anal glands or gastrointestinal issues can also lead to scooting behavior in dogs. If a dog experiences trauma to their anal glands, it can result in inflammation, infection, or abscesses, causing significant discomfort.
Gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea or constipation, can also contribute to scooting.
In addition to anal gland problems, intestinal parasites, and skin allergies, other medical causes of scooting include:
- Urinary tract infections
- Dirty bottom or matted fur around the anus
- Perianal fistula or anal gland tumors
In conclusion, dog scooting can be caused by various underlying health issues, including anal gland issues, allergies, vaginal diseases in female dogs, intestinal parasites, and some gastrointestinal disorders. Isolating the exact cause can help you and your veterinarian formulate a treatment plan so that you can help your dog feel better soon!