A few months ago, my adorable dog started to drag its bottom on the ground. I quickly reached out to my vet because I knew something was irritating her. I later realized there are many reasons for this. This could have been a result of inflammation, infection, or worms. It was also a telltale sign that my dog had scooting allergies.
Excessive scooting shows that the allergies are out of control. Since my vet knew the history of my dog, he assessed the situation and prescribed medication to ease the symptoms.
Read on to learn more about dog scooting allergies.
Can allergies cause dogs to scoot?
If a dog is allergic, it will scoot the butt – this means it has itchy skin. Some of the allergies that can trigger this condition include:
Food allergies
Dogs can develop allergies to particular foods. This can happen at any time, regardless of whether they have eaten the same foods in the past. The most common cause of food allergy in dogs is protein.
What happens if a dog has a food allergy? The food that remains in the gut can inflame the mucus membrane and bring perennial irritation. But once the itchy bottom is treated, scooting becomes a thing of the past.
The allergen in dog food could also be responsible for the itch. After I discovered my canine friend had this problem, I switched to foods that contain a single protein. I also tried single carbohydrate foods that my dog had not eaten before.
Sometimes, food allergies can cause skin inflammation resulting in discomfort. The dog may also have red bottom or loss of fur.
Later, my vet advised that I eliminate the grains in the dog’s diet. I stopped feeding on any foods that contain oatmeal, potato, rice, soy, and wheat. After 8 weeks of feeding different foods, the allergy symptoms cleared from the system.
Skin allergies
Skin allergy in dogs is associated with itchy skin or irritation at the base of the tail. However, other parts of the body may be affected. If the dog has flea allergies, it could have an itchy butt. To eliminate allergy symptoms, the vet may recommend topical medication to apply to the dog’s skin.
Dog scooting even after glands expressed
Every time my dog was startled at the knock-off of the door, there was a foul smell. After I contacted my veterinarian, he told me my canine friend was trying to express his anal glands.
The purpose of anal glands is to produce a strong odour that marks the territory. Most dogs will do this when they become fearful or stressed. If the dog is startled at something (like being chased by another dog), there’s a foul smell afterwards.
Also, every time the dog defecates, the pressure of the stool expels the smelly substance. This is what gives a sticky odour – it’s an impaction. Unfortunately, the impacted gland is warm and moist. It creates the perfect place for bacteria to grow. Sometimes, the stinky smell is metallic or fishy.
But here is the catch. An impaction can be extremely uncomfortable and can cause impaction. It can also form abscesses making the gland rapture. This can be an unpleasant and messy affair. Not to mention, an impaction can affect one or two glands.
One sign that a dog has expressed glands is scooting. Typically, the dog will drag the butt across the ground. However, not all dogs will scoot if they have butt problems. Others will have a swelling around the anus or lick the anal region consistently.
Not all anal gland problems require veterinarian intervention. A basic anal expression is something anyone can do at home. Some of the supplies you need include:
- An exam glove
- Anti-odour spray
- Lube
- Muzzle
- Paper towel
Can I use a professional?
The vet will reach inside the dog’s anus, release the contents, and put the dog on antibiotics. If the pain is too much, he may sedate the dog. If the anal problem is severe, the vet can remove the glands.
My dog has been wormed but is still scooting
Dogs will often pick a few undesirables along the way. This can lead to intestinal parasites. Generally, intestinal worms cause scooting and irritation. If there’s some diarrhoea, this can trigger further irritation.
Therefore, regular deworming will help to keep your pet healthy. What if the canine friend is wormed and still scooting? This can be frustrating, isn’t it? Well, chances are that there are other reasons why the dog is scooting.
The dog could be having food allergies
This happens when a dog reacts to protein food. When allergies flare up, the dog ends up scooting. This can also lead to skin inflammation. Every time I bring a new dog to the pack, I do a hypoallergic food trial to understand what’s going on.
Skin irritation
A dog can scoot if it has a skin problem. Maybe some faeces are stuffed into the fur, or there’s a clipper burn from grooming. Skin irritation can also be treated topically. If there’s a red rash, the dog may require some antibiotics.
Apart from scooting, a dog can try to lick the butt to deal with any discomfort. This repeated moisture only worsens the itching and triggers even more scooting.
Impacted anal glands
The glands are located on either side of the anal region. They produce a foul smell. As the dog tries to empty the poop, the glands can get clogged or blocked.
They can also get blocked leading to itchiness. In severe cases, a dog can have a raptured gland.
How can I soothe my dog’s itchy bottom?
When I first watched my dog scoot, it was a horror show. I had my guests over – I must admit I was embarrassed. While this might not be the most pleasant sight to behold, I learned some tricks to soothe my dog’s itchy bottom.
Increasing fibre in their diet
This is a magic bullet in treating an itchy bottom. Some dietary supplements can help with the soothing but one can also introduce ground flax. Other high-fibre foods like sweet potato, pumpkins, and dry carrots will do the trick. Since every dog responds differently, it’s important that you start gradually and then increase the amounts with time. I started with half a teaspoon of fibre and then added the portion every week.
Help the dog shed excess weight
When a dog sheds extra pounds, this helps to alleviate the pressure on the bottom.
Increase fluids intake
When I want to encourage my pet to drink more, I set up a drinking fountain. Most pets find moving water palatable than a motionless puddle. Some dogs may not find it fun to drink water, so you may want to introduce some treats.
Exercise the pet regularly
This may not seem like a big deal, but it works wonders. Regular exercise improves gastric motility, so the dog can pass the stool easily. According to pet experts, such movements revs up metabolism. Also, when you take your dogs out, you empty the stomach, which could trigger inflammation.
Deworming
If a puppy had a bout of fleas, a dewormer can do the magic. Some vets recommend two or three anti-parasitic medications. If a pet is resistant to specific medications, pet owners should go for broad-spectrum medication.
Introduce digestive bacteria
Canine-formulated probiotics can help the anal glands empty on their own. Once you introduce the supplements, you should follow the instructions on the package. Experts are of the view that healthy bacteria can empty the anal sacs.
Anal gland expression
Expelling the anal glands is a straightforward process. Before the exercise, one should wear old clothes. You can do this during bath time as it helps to relieve the muscles. A groomer or vet can also help out.
Home remedies for dog scooting / home remedy for dog itchy bum
Use warm compress
A warm compress can provide relief to hard-to-express glands. To use a warm compress, simply put a cotton cloth in warm water and place it on the puppy’s bottom for a couple of minutes. The heat and moisture will expel the fluids much more easily.
Clean the bottom regularly
When the bottom of your puppy is dirty, some mud might get stuck – this makes them scoot. If I want to get rid of poop or mud, I use soap and water. Apart from that, I check whether there are fleas and ticks in the anal region.
Use witch hazel
Witch hazel is a powerful anti-inflammatory treatment that relieves soreness in the dog’s bottom. It also relieves itchiness and pain. However, one should go for the unscented variety. Just dispense some witch hazel on cotton wool and pat dry on the butt.
Pumpkin for dog scooting
Dogs with anal gland issues can benefit from pumpkins in their diet. It contains soluble fibre that makes it easier to pass the stool. In addition, the pumpkin makes the puppy feel fuller for longer, so it can help with weight loss. The best strategy to give pumpkin to your puppy is to add it to its normal food.
Wrap up
Nobody wants to see their adorable pet drag across the ground due to an itchy bum. This could be a sign your dog has some discomfort in the anal region. If your canine companion has scooting issues, you should focus on the root cause of the problem. The above home remedies will help ease the problem and prevent anal issues in the future.