Blocked Anal Glands

The most common reason why your dog is dragging their bottom on the floor is due to blocked anal glands. Dogs have two small sacs located on either side of their anus known as anal glands or anal sacs. These glands produce a smelly fluid, released during bowel movements. Which is used to mark territory and aid in scent communication with other dogs.

Sometimes, the anal glands can become impacted, blocked, or infected, leading to discomfort and irritation for the dog. When the glands are not expressing properly, the fluid can build up. This causes the dog to feel a persistent itchiness or even pain. In response, the dog may resort to dragging their rear end on the ground or rubbing it against furniture or carpets.

Pet Dog Sherlock discusses how blocked anal glands cause dogs to drag their bottoms on the floor.

What do I do about my dog's blocked anal glands?

If your dog is consistently dragging their bum on the floor, it is important to have them checked by a veterinarian. The vet can manually express the anal glands to relieve any blockage or perform further examinations to assess the health of the glands. In some cases, regular gland expressions may be necessary to prevent recurring issues.

What else could scooting mean?

It's worth noting that while scooting is often associated with anal gland problems, it is not the only possible cause. Other factors, such as skin conditions or allergies, could also contribute to the behaviour. Therefore, a thorough evaluation by a veterinarian is crucial to identify and address the specific underlying cause.

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Dr Lera discusses the main reasons why your dog may be scooting.

Does dog scooting go away on its own?

While scooting can be a way of removing objects stuck to the fur around the anal area, consistent scooting will not go away on its own. It is important to treat scooting problems as soon as possible as it can cause a lot of stress and discomfort to your pooch.

Do dogs scoot when stressed?

It is very unlikely that scooting and stress are linked for dogs. Stress however can lead to excessive licking of the fur which can cause it to matt. This can then lead to faeces getting stuck in the anal gland area which then causes your dog to scoot as it is uncomfortable for them.

Is it normal for dogs to scoot after pooping?

Scooting after pooping should not happen consistently. It is possible that some faeces has not been passed properly or has caught hold of the fur around the area which has caused discomfort to the dog. This can indeed lead to scooting however this is not something that should happen regularly. If you begin to notice scooting happening after pooping, you should bring your dog to the vet for a check-up.