Lucky Dog: Why Do Dogs Scoot?

Welcome to another "Lucky Dog" series article. We have all seen it at one time or another, a dog sits down on the floor, extends his rear legs forward to either side of his body, and then proceeds to drag himself forward using the front legs. The dog "scoots" forward, dragging his rear - and more specifically, his anus - across the floor surface. Children often think it is quite comical, and giggle as the dog shows his new "trick," but knowledgeable dog owners groan.

Dogs generally scoot because, quite simply, the anus area feels itchy. The question really is why does the dog feel the need to scoot, or, what is causing this anus to itch?

One common reason is if a dog has recently passed loose stools, which may have left some residue near the anus. Despite all those wonderful Cottonelle toilet paper commercials with the puppy pulling the toilet paper off the roll, dogs do not really relate to the concept of toilet paper for wiping their butts. Instead, they scoot, often leaving a skid mark on the floor. Smart dogs often figure out scooting on carpet works better (from their point of view) than scooting on hardwood or tile floors. Naturally, it is harder for the dog owner to clean up any residue left from scooting on carpet. If your dog scoots only very occasionally and you notice a correlation between stool looseness and scooting, you most likely have nothing to worry about other than cleaning any "skid" marks left on your floor.

Other causes of scooting can vary in the degree of seriousness.

Fleas and the irritation associates with bites from fleas in the anal area can cause a dog to scoot. Some dogs will try to bite at the anal area, others will scoot, and some will try both. If you suspect fleas on your dog, look carefully at your dog's fur and skin for signs of a flea infestation. Consider purchasing and using a flea comb, which will help you to determine if there are fleas present. If your dog does have fleas, you will need to treat the dog, and anywhere the dog frequents.

Likewise, tapeworm infestation (also known as Cestodiasis) can cause a dog to scoot. Tapeworm infestations often are found by looking under your dog's tail, at and/or near the anus. If you see something about the size of rice moving around under your dog's tail, your dog most likely has tapeworms. If you suspect tapeworm, collect stool samples and make an appointment with your vet. Tapeworm infestation is a more serious issue. I would also suggest that if there is any chance that you or anyone in your household - particularly a child - may have accidentally touched the dog's feces without immediately washing hands afterwards, that there is a risk that the tapeworm can invade a human host. Confirm with your vet first if tapeworm is present in your dog, and then consider having a chat with your family physician as well.

Parasites and loose stools are not always the reason a dog scoots. Inflammation of the dog's anal sacs can also irritate a dog and cause the desire to scoot. Anal sacs are small glands that sit to either side of the dog's anus. In such cases, the sacs cleared of accumulated material, a process referred to as "expressing" the anal sacs. Your veterinarian can perform this task, and if it is a common problem for your dog, your veterinarian can teach you how to do it yourself, saving you the expense of veterinary fees for a problem easily remedied at home.

If your dog continues to scoot frequently, despite expression of the anal sacs, removal of fleas, and so forth, then it is time for a veterinary visit. Injuries and tumors in the anal area can also drive a dog to scoot; however, your veterinarian will need to determine the actual cause.

About the author: Sharon McCuddy is the author of the "Lucky Dog" article series, which includes the above article. In part, the author draws on her experiences as a dog owner, rescuer and dog foster home to provide educational articles in the Lucky Dog series. Readers are strongly encouraged to consult with their veterinarian for any medical related issues, and to use the information provided in the articles as a basis for self-education as a responsible dog owner.