3 Reasons Dogs Lick Butt As a normal dog grooming routine, dogs can lick their butt, but excessive grooming is not a normal behavior. Not only does this look uncivilized, but it may indicate a dog has a health problem. Why do dogs lick their butts? Due to the inflammation and irritation around the area, the dog will start to lick the butt excessively. While this inflammation and irritation can be caused by a number of reasons, they all require a veterinary examination to determine the cause and develop a treatment plan to reassure your dog.
1. Anal glands Most dog owners know that their dog’s anal glands (sometimes called scent glands) are located on either side of the dog’s rectum. Once these glands are full, they usually express themselves when your dog defecates. But sometimes, they don’t express as much as they should. This can be due to loose stools, the anatomy of the glands and ducts themselves, allergies, or any combination of the three. As the glands fill with fluid, the pressure begins to build. To make matters worse, when the fluid is in the gland, it becomes thicker, causing more pressure. Dogs can feel this accumulated stress and will try to express the anal glands on their own. They can do this by sliding across the butt on the floor or chewing and licking the rectal area.
2. Intestinal parasites Dogs are susceptible to a variety of intestinal parasites such as hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. These can cause diarrhea and diarrhea, which can irritate the rectal area. Keep in mind that diarrhea can also prevent the anal glands from expressing properly, which can also lead to irritation. Sometimes the eggs of certain intestinal parasites can get into the dog’s rectal area, which can also cause irritation, which can lead to butt licking.
3. Allergies and skin infections In dogs, allergies manifest as itchy and inflamed skin. This may include the skin around your dog’s rectal area and sometimes the anal glands. It is not uncommon for dogs with skin allergies to also have secondary skin infections. This can exacerbate existing inflammation and irritation. If your dog suffers from skin allergies, this is definitely a factor in your dog’s butt licking. Dealing with Potential Problems If you feel that your dog is excessively licking his butt, the first thing to do is to schedule a veterinary appointment. Whatever is causing your dog’s rectal irritation, medication is needed to stop the inflammation. Your dog will also need to have their anal glands checked to make sure they are not full and have normal fluid in them. If your dog’s main problem ends up being related to the anal glands, your veterinarian may prescribe an antibiotic to help treat any infection that may be present. The fluids that usually fill the anal glands have a unique color and consistency, and while they may be uncomfortable, they shouldn’t be overly painful to express in the veterinarian’s office. If the contents of the anal glands are thick, discolored, or contain pus, or if your dog has a painful reaction, this may be the result of an infection in the anal glands. You can add something to their diet, such as canned pumpkin, to boost their poop. There are also supplements made specifically for this problem in dogs over the counter. Intestinal parasites can be easily diagnosed by a stool test. Most parasites deposit tiny eggs in your dog’s feces, and these can be found at your veterinarian. Other intestinal parasites, such as tapeworms, deposit egg packs that are visible to the naked eye. These look like millet grains in the stool or in the fur around the rectum. If your dog does have intestinal parasites, your veterinarian can easily treat them with a dewormer. Keeping your dog up to date on monthly heartworm prevention can also help, as these products can also prevent more common intestinal parasites. It is also prudent to regularly check your dog’s feces once or twice a year to help prevent any problems that intestinal parasites may cause. Skin allergies can be a little tricky. Dogs may have environmental allergies, food allergies, or both. Environmental allergies tend to have seasonal flare-ups, while food allergies tend to occur year-round. If your dog has an active flare-up with skin irritation, inflammation, and infection, your veterinarian will prescribe medications to relieve the itching and treat the infection. If your dog suspects an environmental allergy, your veterinarian can send blood tests to an outside lab for analysis. Once the environmental allergen is identified, the veterinarian can begin treatment to desensitize your dog’s immune system to the allergen. Blood tests are also available for food allergens, but the results are not always as reliable as blood tests for environmental allergens. The gold standard for food allergies remains a rigorous dietary trial of a prescription diet. If you notice your dog obsessively licking or chewing his butt, call your trusted veterinarian. Although not usually serious, a veterinarian can help you get to know your dog.
