As a dog owner, you have probably dealt with your pup scooting across the floor. It can be pretty alarming the first time you witness it. Dogs frequently go to the vet because of scooting, and unless you have the right knowledge on why they are doing this, diagnosing and treating this condition can be challenging.
We realize how distressing it is to witness your beloved pet suffer from this type of uncomfortable condition. As a result, we compiled a list of simple home remedies for dog scooting.
Why Do Dogs Scoot?
Some of the most common reasons for dog scooting are as follows:
● Food Allergies
Food allergies can cause gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea in dogs. The symptoms can also be present in dogs with food intolerance. However, food allergies are more severe and require immediate treatment with steroids or antihistamines.
If your dogs face this type of problem, they may have an itchy bottom that causes them to scratch or drag their rear end across the ground while walking. They may also have hives or red bumps around their anus.
● Skin Infections
Skin infection is another common reason for scooting. It can cause the area around a dog's anus to become red and inflamed. Thus, it makes your dogs uncomfortable to sit down. The irritation may be so severe that your dog will scoot to relieve the pain.
● Intestinal Parasites
Parasites are also a common cause of scooting in dogs, especially in areas with a high prevalence of foxes or raccoons carrying worms. You can treat the parasites with oral medications or injections, depending on what type of parasite has entered into contact with your dog.
● Dirt or Poop on a Dog's Bum
If your dogs have just pooped, they may be trying to clean themselves by moving around on their bum. Still, if your dogs play in the yard or roll around on the lawn, they may pick up some soil on their rear end. If this happens, it can cause irritation and itching.
A bath will help eliminate the irritant, but if your dog continues to scoot after bathing, something else may be causing his discomfort.
● Clogged/ Impacted Anal Glands
If you notice that your pet seems very uncomfortable when sitting down or lying down, it could be because of canine anal gland issues. This can make them feel like they need to get up and move around all the time because they're in pain due to the pressure on their bottoms from whatever fluid is inside those glands.
● Tick/Flea Infestation
If your dogs have been scratching and scooting for a few weeks, and there are no obvious signs like redness or swelling around the anus, it's time to check for fleas and ticks. These parasites can irritate their host's rear end, especially if they bite during sleep.
While your pets might have fleas, even if they don't seem bothered, you should get them under control as soon as possible.
● Constipation
If your dogs eat dry foods and don't drink enough water, they may become constipated. Constipated dogs will struggle to defecate and may not pass any stool at all. They will then attempt to relieve the urge by scooting.
What Are Dog Anal Glands?
A dog's anus has small sacs on either side called anal glands. These sacs emit pheromones, which are chemicals produced by animals to interact with other members of their species, as well as attracting females and enhancing male reproductive success. If your dog has a lot of anal gland problems, you'll notice they frequently scoot along the floor and chews at the rear end.
What Should You Do If You See Your Dog Scooting?
The first step is to examine your dog to identify the issue. If there are no signs of itching or irritation on their skin, it's likely an issue with the anal sacs. However, if there is evidence around the anal cavity, it may indicate other problems like parasitic infestation or allergies. Contact your veterinarian immediately to help address the problem.
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How Do You Express Anal Glands?
Grab a tissue or paper towel and fold it half lengthwise and widthwise. Place this folded tissue at the opening of your dog's rectum with one hand while holding your dog's tail up high. Ensure you get help if you cannot hold your dog in position.
With the thumb or index finger of your non-dominant hand, push gently on either side of each anal gland until you feel one pop out of its hole. You can keep up the pressure until they release fluids into the folded tissue.
Home Remedies for Dog Scooting
● Express Anal Gland
Sometimes, your dog won't empty the swollen anal glands, which causes discomfort to them. Hence leading to scooting or excessive licking. You can manually express the dog's anal sacs using your fingers to relieve this problem. You should do it gently while being careful not to squeeze dogs' anal glands too hard, as this can cause bleeding and immense pain.
● Fiber Rich Food
Since fiber is essential for a healthy digestive system, it will help improve bowel movements in your pet. Moreover, it'll decrease their chances of having constipation and contracting anal sac disease. You can buy them commercial dog food that contains fiber. Hence you will improve your dog's anal gland’s health.
● Track Weight
If your dog is overweight or obese, losing some pounds would help them feel better and stop dragging itself on the ground. Before beginning any nutrition plan for your canine companion, consult with your veterinarian.
● Exercise
Regular exercise helps your dog maintain its health and fitness. It also aids digestion and reduces constipation, which can lead to scooting in dogs.
● Probiotics
Some dogs may have an imbalance in the bacteria found in their digestive tract. This can cause digestive issues that lead to diarrhea, constipation, and other problems in the gastrointestinal tract. By boosting good bacteria and lowering harmful ones, probiotics can aid in gut balance restoration. Most pharmacies and pet retailers offer these supplements.
● Water
Dehydration can cause your pet's skin to dry and crack, leading to scooting on hard floors or carpets. Make sure your dog has plenty of fresh water to drink. This will prevent your pet from being dehydrated as a result of consuming too much salt water or sweating excessively due to heat stress or exercise.
● Clean A Dog's Bottom
You should clean your dog's bottom with warm water several times a day if it's scooting. Make sure you use a washcloth or cotton balls when cleaning his anus, so that you do not irritate it more than it already is irritated. You can also use wet wipes, our wet wipes are very gentle and will not cause any additional irritation.
FAQs
1. Why does my dog rub his bum on the floor?
When a dog is dragging or scooting its bum, it could be due to a myriad of reasons. One cause could be an infection which causes them discomfort and pain when they try to move around. Other reasons could be that there may be something stuck in their rectum, or contracting food allergies, constipation, parasites, or clogged anal glands.
2. Why is my dog still scooting after glands are expressed?
Your dog may still be scooting if they have other conditions. They include a skin infection or internal parasites, among others. Your veterinarian will easily identify and rectify these conditions.
3. What can I give my dog to stop scooting?
Some people have had luck using natural remedies, like pumpkin or soybeans to reduce the appearance of a loose stool in their dogs' fur. However, this treatment isn't likely to work if your pet has an underlying medical condition that is causing pain and discomfort when moving around.
Your best bet is to always talk with your vet before trying any home remedies on your own. They'll let you know if there's anything specific you should do for your pets.
4. Does pumpkin help dog scooting?
Pumpkin is a common home remedy for dog scooting. However, you should only provide it to your dog's diet if you realize they suffer from an anal gland infection.
5. How do you know if your dog's glands are full?
There are two techniques in general. The first step is to inspect your dog's rear end. You may also feel their rectal region or have it done for you. You should express the dog's anal glands if they appear to be full.
6. What dog breeds need their glands expressed?
For some dog breeds, gland expression is necessary. A pronounced anal gland problem means you should probably have them expressed more often than others. They include Beagles, Chihuahuas, Lhasa Apsos, etc.
7. How often should dogs have their glands expressed?
Some dogs may need anal gland expression more often than others. You should consult your vet about the timing in terms of having your dog’s glands expressed, and how often you should do it.
Conclusion
Generally, dogs scoot for many reasons, but the best thing you can do is keep them healthy and happy. The aforementioned seven remedies for dog scooting are some of the most effective ways to treat your pup's scooting problem.
Whatever the reason for your dog's scooting may be, these simple solutions will allow your dog to get back on track and start having fun again—playing catch, snuggling on the sofa, and admiring those lovely puppy eyes as you prepare supper!
Also Read - Top Tips for Traveling with your Dog
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