Is your pup dragging its butt along the floor? Don’t be embarrassed. No one brags about how well their pup scoots on its butt, and it can certainly be uncomfortable to watch. But butt scooting is often caused by irritation in the rectal area — so, trust us, if it makes you uncomfortable, just imagine how your puppy feels.
Scooting is your pup’s way of finding relief when their rectal area is sore or irritated, similar to how we scratch an itch. Your doggy has two anal sacs, one on each side of the anus, that release a liquid when they poop (or sometimes when they get scared or nervous). If those sacs become blocked, they fill up with that liquid and cause major discomfort for your pup.
Stopping the scoot
Pups often scoot in an attempt to express their anal sacs and release the fluid, but it doesn’t always work. This can lead to an infection or a possible rupture of the anal sacs. Happily, your local veterinary team can check the situation. They’ll look for impaction, infection, and other issues, like worms. If it’s an anal sac issue, they’ll discuss treatment options to relieve the pressure (and your worry).
But wait, there’s more
Other reasons puppies scoot can include:
- Anal sac infection
- Anal sac rupture
- Dermatitis in the rectal area
- Intestinal parasites
- Diarrhea
- Other underlying medical issues
We’re here for the love, health, and happiness of your doggy BFF, and that includes help for their scooting butt. We’ll take a look under the tail, and work with you to help treat issues we may find there.
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