Why Does My Dog Scoot Her Rear on My Carpet?
It never fails. One of our pups will scoot her rear-end on our carpet when:
- It has just been professionally cleaned
- In front of guests
WHY do dogs do this? Well, scooting is a dog’s way to alleviate something wrong back there. It could be an itch, a pain, or irritation that could indicate anything from being uncomfortable to a medical concern.
- SKIN IRRITATION
This could be fecal matter that is stuck on your pup’s fur, a grooming mishap, or even dried shampoo. When this happens, check your pup’s behind for a foreign object that does not belong there—nick’s from grooming, a dingleberry, or a half digested crayon. Use a warm, wet towel to remove fecal matter.
- ANAL SAC DISEASE
Did you know two grape-sized sacs next to your dog’s anus coat their poop in a fishy-smelling liquid? This fluid is your dog’s scent-based calling card. Anal sacs may become painfully swollen, and your dog may scoot their butt to squeeze the sacs out. Take your dog to the vet to see if the anal sacs need to be drained. The five dog breeds most prone to anal sac disease are:
- Cavalier King Charles spaniel
- King Charles spaniel
- Cockapoo
- Bichon Frise
- Shih-tzu
- DIET
Food sensitivities and allergies can lead to anal sac issues that can result in butt scooting. When dogs poop, the firmness of the stool squeezes fluid out of the anal sacs. But when a dog eats something that upsets their stomach, their gastrointestinal tract may rush to move the food through. The result is diarrhea and diarrhea doesn’t give enough pressure to empty out the sacs, so the fluid in them builds up. To resolve this issue, change your dog’s food (be sure and chat with your vet before making any changes).
- TAPEWORM
If you notice little grains of white rice in your dog’s stool your pup probably has tapeworm. What you are seeing is a proglottid. Adult tape worms are made up of lots of small segments, called a proglottid. Your dog contracts tapeworm by eating a flea carrying tapeworm eggs. Digestive juices dissolve the flea, releasing the eggs to hatch. The tapeworms then grow up in your dog’s bowels. You will need to take a sample of your dog’s stool to your vet who will prescribe a de-worming medication. Moving forward, always make sure your pup is up to date on flea medication.
- CANCER
Tumors can grow in the anal sac. Be on the lookout for:
- ribbon-like stool
- increased thirst
- increased urination
- unusually tiredness
- vomiting
Your pup needs to see the vet immediately. How quickly cancer is caught will depend on the treatment plan.
Occasional butt scooting is normal so when do you call your vet? If your pup:
- Seems very tired
- Keeps whimpering for no apparent reason
- Snaps or growls whenever someone touches their tail or backside
- Compulsively licks or bite their rear
- Strain to push out stool
- Have blood or greenish-yellow pus in their stool
- Pass ringworm with stool