Puppies have plenty of strange habits – chasing their tail, rolling in the grass, and barking at the mail, for example.
Many of the behaviors we find strange are even downright normal and ancient behavior too, like two dogs sniffing each other intently when they meet, or peeing in the same spot.
But what about when dogs rub their bum on the floor? Is this just another cute but unusual habit, or is scooting something to worry about? In truth, floor rubbing is both of these things, depending on the reason why your puppy does it. Read on, and hopefully, you’ll find the answer to “Why does my puppy rub their bum on the floor?”:
What is the main reason why dogs scoot?
There are several reasons why a dog may scoot, ranging from the innocuous to the more worrying. In previous articles, we’ve discussed how pooches have unusual anal sacs – yes, dogs can smell all sorts of information when they greet each other.
But what about when these unique anal sacs get blocked? A dog’s anal sacs can sometimes get full and even blocked. When this happens, you’ll spot your pooch scooting along the ground, dragging its back legs and tail in a sitting position.
If full anal sacs are the culprit for your pooch’s scooting, an off-color trail or unpleasant pong will accompany your pup’s scooting motion. If you notice your pooch scooting several times over two or more days, get in touch with your vet and tell them to look under your pup’s tail.
How can I tell if my puppy has anal sac issues?
If your puppy has been rubbing their bum on the floor frequently and you suspect an anal sac infection, try taking a look under your pooch’s tail. If you spot any bleeding, discolored pus, swelling, or bruising, you should take your pooch to the vet.
An anal sac infection is extremely painful and can quickly get a lot worse over a few hours. But thankfully, if treated promptly, some anti-inflammatories and antibiotics are all that’s needed.
Another possibility with the same symptoms is an anal sac tumor. Again, this condition needs as prompt a diagnosis as possible. Any anal region distortion, protrusion, or swelling can be a sign of an anal sac tumor.
Could my puppy have allergies?
Probably the second most common cause of puppies dragging their bottoms on the floor everywhere, allergies can occur for a number of reasons. A puppy who scoots across the floor could be experiencing a reaction to an insect or flea bite.
Food sensitivities or allergies are another common cause of a dog dragging its rear end across the floor as they work to alleviate the discomfort of undigested food in their stools. A skin allergy could even cause this symptom.
If your vet diagnoses any kind of allergy in your pup, they will treat your dog’s symptoms with allergy medication and any appropriate supplements.
What about parasites?
And now, one of the big reasons why owners dread to see floor-scooting in their puppy – parasites. Many puppies are born with one form or another of worms, and the worm that most commonly causes butt dragging in dogs is a tapeworm.
Tapeworms cause intense itching around a dog’s anus, leading to near-constant dragging, scratching, and biting. If your puppy has tapeworm, you’ll be able to see tiny eggs that look like rice in your pooch’s poop. These are called proglottids.
Thankfully, treatment of tapeworm is usually straightforward. All you need to do is keep your puppy wormed regularly. The most challenging part is trying to get your pup to take the pill! Recommended dog treatments for tapeworms
A more incognito parasite is giardia. This microscopic pest also leads to discomfort in a dog’s anal region. Giardia needs to be diagnosed and treated by your vet.
Could my puppy be in pain?
Though generally unlikely in puppies, another reason for bum dragging is referred to physical pain. If you notice your pooch dragging and licking at their rear end with no apparent unusual discharge or odor from their anal sac, referred pain from your dog’s hips or lower back could be the culprit for the dragging.
Physical pain is common enough when your puppy is growing but unlikely to cause them to rub their bum on the floor.
What breed is your puppy?
Did you know there are a few breed-specific reasons for floor scooting in pups? One cause of breed-specific floor-scooting is a perianal fistula. This rare medical condition is most common in German Shepherds but can occur in any breed.
A dog with a perianal fistula may lick under its tail and scoot. Unfortunately, perianal fistulas cause a dog’s draining tracts to respond poorly to most known traditional treatments.
Another reason why your pooch may drag their bum is that they’re simply too fluffy!
A common problem among Bichon Frisés, Poodles, and other fluffy dogs in need of a haircut, excess fur around the hindquarters can pick up debris like twigs, burrs, and even dried feces, which can lead to cuts or infections if not promptly cleaned or brushed away.
If this is your puppy’s problem, dealing with excess fluff is as simple as shaving them.
Does your puppy have a skin infection?
If your puppy has a skin infection, they could experience a burning or itching sensation anywhere in their body, especially in their sensitive hindquarter area. This may be due to a fungal yeast infection or a bacterial skin infection.
In addition, female dogs can develop a yeast infection in their peri-vulvar area, leading to similar symptoms to anal sac problems. So, make sure your vet looks at this area too if you bring your female pooch in for an abdomen skin infection.
Could your puppy have a behavioural problem?
If all of the above causes of your puppy rubbing their bum across the floor have been ruled out, it’s possible your puppy simply has a neurological or behavioral problem. After all, who hasn’t seen a dog that chases its tail just for fun or out of boredom?
Of course, it is also possible that your dog has a condition that causes tingling or numbness, which your dog may be trying to alleviate when they scoot. If your puppy belongs to a breed where such conditions are common, do look into these problems. Nerve damage is another possibility when a dog scoots.
But if you think your dog is just bored or has a habit of scooting, try taking them for long walks in different areas or playing with them more to see if their butt dragging subsides as they develop better habits.
