Why Does My Dog Keep Chewing Their Butt? Causes and Solutions

Why Is My Dog Chewing Their Butt?

If you’ve caught your dog frantically chewing at their rear end or scooting across your living room floor, you’re not alone. This common but concerning behavior can leave pet parents confused and worried. While it might seem humorous or embarrassing, your dog’s butt-chewing habits usually indicate an underlying health issue that needs attention.

Dogs can’t tell us when something’s wrong, so they resort to behaviors like chewing, licking, or dragging their bottoms to communicate discomfort. Understanding the reasons behind this behavior is the first step toward helping your furry friend find relief. From anal gland issues to allergies and parasites, several conditions could be causing your dog’s discomfort.

Common Causes of Butt Chewing in Dogs

Anal Gland Problems

One of the most common reasons dogs chew their rear ends is anal gland issues. Dogs have two small scent glands on either side of their anus that normally express fluid during bowel movements. These specialized glands produce a distinct, strong-smelling substance that dogs use for marking territory and social communication – that’s why dogs often sniff each other’s rear ends when they meet.

When these glands become impacted, infected, or abscessed, they cause significant discomfort. Your dog may respond by chewing or licking the area, scooting their bottom across the floor, or showing signs of pain when sitting or defecating. Small breed dogs like Chihuahuas, Miniature Poodles, and Shih Tzus are particularly prone to anal gland problems, though all breeds can be affected.

Signs of anal gland issues include:

• Scooting behavior (dragging bottom across the floor)
• Excessive licking or chewing at the rear end
• A foul, fishy odor
• Visible swelling near the anus
• Difficulty or pain when defecating
• Blood or pus in stool or around the anal area

Allergies

Just like humans, dogs can suffer from various allergies that cause intense itching and discomfort. When dogs experience allergic reactions, they may chew at their rear ends, tails, or paws in an attempt to relieve the itching sensation. Dog allergies typically fall into three main categories:

Environmental Allergies

These are triggered by substances in your dog’s environment, such as:

• Pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds
• Dust mites
• Mold spores
• Household cleaning products

Food Allergies

Some dogs develop allergies to certain ingredients in their food, including:

• Beef, chicken, or other protein sources
• Dairy products
• Wheat, corn, or soy
• Artificial preservatives or additives

Flea Allergies

Many dogs are allergic to flea saliva. Even a single flea bite can trigger intense itching in dogs with flea allergy dermatitis, leading to excessive chewing, especially around the base of the tail.

Allergic reactions often cause generalized itching, but many dogs focus their chewing on their rear ends where the skin is particularly sensitive. If your dog shows seasonal patterns of butt-chewing or the behavior began after changing their food, allergies might be the culprit.

Parasites

External and internal parasites can cause intense irritation around your dog’s rear end, leading to chewing and licking behaviors. Common parasites include:

External Parasites

• Fleas: These tiny insects cause itching and inflammation, particularly around the base of the tail and rear end.
• Ticks: When attached near the anal area, ticks can cause localized irritation.
• Mites: Certain types of mites can infest the skin around your dog’s rear, causing severe itching.

Internal Parasites

• Tapeworms: These intestinal parasites can cause itching around the anus as segments break off and exit through the rectum.
• Roundworms: Heavy infestations can cause gastrointestinal discomfort and anal irritation.

Regular parasite prevention is essential for all dogs, but if your pet is still chewing their butt despite being on preventatives, other causes should be investigated.

Skin Irritation and Infections

The skin around your dog’s rear end is sensitive and can become irritated for various reasons. Common skin issues that may cause butt-chewing include:

• Hot spots: These are areas of infected, inflamed, and itchy skin that develop rapidly, often after a dog licks or chews at an initial irritation.
• Bacterial or yeast infections: These can develop in the folds of skin around the rectum, especially in dogs with deep skin folds or those who have difficulty grooming.
• Matted fur: In long-haired dogs, fecal matter can become trapped in the fur around the anus, leading to irritation and infection.
• Dermatitis: Inflammation of the skin due to contact with irritants or allergic reactions.

Perianal Fistulas

Perianal fistulas (also called anal furunculosis) are painful, tunnel-like openings that develop in the skin around the anus. This serious condition is most common in German Shepherds but can affect other breeds as well. Dogs with perianal fistulas often show signs of pain when defecating and may obsessively chew at their rear ends.

Symptoms of perianal fistulas include:

• Excessive licking or chewing at the anal area
• Painful defecation
• Blood in stool
• Foul odor
• Visible openings or lesions around the anus
• Reluctance to sit or wag tail

Behavioral Issues

Sometimes, dogs chew their rear ends due to psychological rather than physical causes. Behavioral factors that may contribute to butt-chewing include:

• Anxiety or stress: Some dogs develop displacement behaviors like excessive grooming when anxious.
• Boredom: Dogs with insufficient mental or physical stimulation may resort to repetitive behaviors.
• Compulsive disorders: Similar to human obsessive-compulsive disorders, some dogs develop compulsive grooming habits.

Behavioral causes should only be considered after medical issues have been ruled out by a veterinarian.

When to See a Veterinarian

While occasional, brief attention to the rear end might be normal grooming behavior, persistent or intense butt-chewing warrants veterinary attention. Contact your veterinarian if you notice:

• Excessive or persistent chewing, licking, or scooting
• Signs of pain, such as yelping when the area is touched
• Blood, pus, or unusual discharge from the anal area
• Swelling, redness, or visible wounds
• Strong, foul odor from the rear end
• Changes in bowel habits or stool consistency
• Signs of discomfort when defecating

Early intervention can prevent minor problems from developing into more serious conditions.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough examination to determine the cause of your dog’s butt-chewing behavior. This may include:

• Physical examination, including rectal examination
• Examination of a fecal sample for parasites
• Skin scraping to check for mites or infections
• Allergy testing
• Blood tests to rule out systemic conditions

Treatment will depend on the underlying cause but may include:

For Anal Gland Problems:

• Manual expression of the anal glands
• Antibiotics for infections or abscesses
• Anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling
• Warm compresses for comfort
• In severe or recurrent cases, surgical removal of the anal glands (anal sacculectomy)

For Allergies:

• Elimination diet trials for suspected food allergies
• Antihistamines or specialized allergy medications
• Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
• Immunotherapy for environmental allergies
• Medicated shampoos or topical treatments

For Parasites:

• Appropriate deworming medications
• Flea and tick preventatives
• Environmental treatment to eliminate parasite life cycles

For Skin Infections:

• Antibiotics for bacterial infections
• Antifungal medications for yeast infections
• Medicated shampoos or ointments
• Regular cleaning of the affected area

For Perianal Fistulas:

• Immunosuppressive medications
• Antibiotics for secondary infections
• Pain management
• In severe cases, surgical intervention

For Behavioral Issues:

• Increased physical exercise and mental stimulation
• Behavior modification techniques
• Anti-anxiety medications in severe cases
• Environmental enrichment

Prevention Tips

While not all causes of butt-chewing can be prevented, these strategies may help reduce your dog’s risk:

• Regular grooming: Keep the hair around your dog’s rear end trimmed and clean, especially in long-haired breeds.
• Balanced diet: Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for your dog’s age, size, and activity level to promote healthy digestion and regular bowel movements.
• Fiber supplementation: Adding appropriate fiber to your dog’s diet can help naturally express anal glands during defecation.
• Regular exercise: Physical activity helps maintain healthy bowel function and reduces stress.
• Parasite prevention: Keep your dog on year-round flea, tick, and internal parasite prevention as recommended by your veterinarian.
• Regular veterinary check-ups: Annual or bi-annual wellness exams can catch potential issues before they become serious problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I express my dog’s anal glands at home?

A: While technically possible, expressing anal glands is best left to professionals. Improper technique can cause pain, injury, or incomplete emptying of the glands. If your dog requires frequent anal gland expression, ask your veterinarian or groomer to demonstrate the proper technique.

Q: Will adding pumpkin to my dog’s diet help with anal gland problems?

A: Pure canned pumpkin (not pie filling) is a good source of fiber that may help firm up stools, potentially allowing for better natural expression of the anal glands. However, this isn’t a substitute for veterinary care if your dog is already experiencing problems.

Q: Are certain breeds more prone to butt-chewing behaviors?

A: Yes, some breeds are more predisposed to conditions that cause butt-chewing. Small breeds often have anal gland issues, while breeds with deep skin folds may experience more skin infections. German Shepherds are particularly susceptible to perianal fistulas.

Q: How can I tell if my dog has allergies versus parasites?

A: It can be difficult to distinguish between these causes without veterinary help. However, allergies often cause generalized itching in multiple areas (ears, paws, belly, and rear), while parasites might show more localized symptoms. Your veterinarian can perform tests to determine the exact cause.

Q: Is scooting always a sign of anal gland problems?

A: While anal gland issues are the most common cause of scooting, this behavior can also indicate parasites, allergies, or other irritations. Any persistent scooting should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

Q: How quickly should I see improvement after treatment?

A: This depends on the underlying cause. Simple anal gland expressions often provide immediate relief. Infections may take several days of antibiotic treatment before improvement is seen. Allergies might take weeks to respond to treatment, especially if the allergen needs to be identified through elimination trials.

Conclusion

While it might be tempting to ignore your dog’s butt-chewing behavior out of embarrassment, this common issue usually signals that your pet is uncomfortable and needs help. By understanding the potential causes and seeking appropriate veterinary care, you can help your furry friend find relief and prevent more serious health problems.

Remember that persistent or intense butt-chewing is never normal and always warrants investigation. With proper diagnosis and treatment, most dogs can overcome this uncomfortable behavior and return to their happy, playful selves.

Author

Shinta

 

Shinta is a biotechnologist turned writer. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University. Shinta realised her love for content while working as an editor for a scientific journal.

Read full bio of Shinta