Scooting, not just something rolling along on two wheels, it’s the name for puppies and dogs when they do that wild thing of dragging their butt on the floor. We know it’s pretty comical and rubbing their butt on the floor is normal for a lot of dog. Sometimes they’ll scoot across the entire floor, whereas sometimes they’ll just drop down for a quick butt drag. So should you be worried?
Well, in this article we’re going to be exploring the reasons that puppies scoot on their butts, what you should do if you see your puppy scooting, how your vet will treat puppy scooting, and how you can treat puppy scooting at home.
Before we get into butt scooting, download the Zigzag puppy training app and get started on your puppy training journey today. We have a team of professional dog trainers ready to help you with any of those paw-nic moments you might have, as well as a personalised puppy training programme that’s based around your pup’s age of development and their breed type.
Why do puppies scoot on their butt?
Puppies drag and scoot on their butt primarily to relieve irritation. This can be caused by worms, anal gland problems or impaction, simply scratching an itch they can’t get to, or wiping off any cling-ons that might be left behind after a not so great poop.
Worms and parasites
Worms can cause your dog to rub their butt on the floor because these horrible parasites burrow themselves into your dog’s bottom area, and make it very itchy.
Read our full articles on worms, roundworms and tapeworms, or all about puppy flea treatment to learn more.
Expressing their anal glands
If your dog is scooting, chances are they’re expressing their anal glands. These are little glands either side of their anus that contain a strong smelling fluid which dogs release and are used to mark territory and pass on information to other dogs.
Normally they are emptied when dogs poo, but they can often become full and impacted if dogs are not fed the correct diet, or for other medical reasons.
If your dog is scooting a lot, and licking or biting around their bottom, they may have impacted anal glands, which can be really painful and sore, so best to get them to the Vet.
Check out our article why is my puppy biting their tail, if they simply can’t leave that area alone.
Scratching an itch they can’t get to
Allergies and inflammation can cause an itchy bum, so it might be that their butt area is irritated. It’s also quite hard for a dog to scratch their own bottom in general, so they’ll often scoot or rub their butt on the floor just to have a good old itch of the area.
Just wiping that butt
Yeh, kinda gross, but poop nuggets aka Klingons are a thing, especially in long haired breeds like Cockapoos and Shih Tzus, where it can get stuck in the fur around their bum. This can be due to having a stomach bug and diarrhoea, or just because the hair is too long around that area.
What should I do if I see my puppy scooting?
If your pup is scooting, you’re gonna have to take a look at their butt – sorry not sorry! Taking a look round the back and checking for any irritation, sores, lumps, bumps or yes cling-ons or worms.
If your dog has worms, you’ll likely see what looks like grains of rice, either stuck to their bottom or in their poo. Puppies need regular worming, so check what worming schedule the breeder has advised.
How your vet will treat puppy scooting
If your puppy is scooting and dragging their butt, your Vet will carry out a physical examination and also ask you about your dog’s symptoms. Depending on what they find, they might do any of the following:
- Recommend a wormer or test your dog’s poop for parasites
- Check and express your dog’s anal glands – you’ll want to stand back when they do this – eeesh!
- Give you dietary advice if they think you should change your dog’s diet to add more fibre.
How to treat puppy scooting at home
If your puppy is scooting a lot at home, you can try the following
- Check for anything obvious – sores, scabs, worms etc
- Note down when they scoot and what they’re doing exactly, so you can tell your vet about it.
- Make sure they’re eating the correct diet, with enough fibre so that they manage to express their anal glands properly. Extra fibre can help with this, but if your dog needs it on a regular basis, it’s worth checking what food they’re eating and that it’s right for them.
- Groom them regularly and keep their fur clean, if you have a long haired dog then bath them regularly to prevent mats or irritation occurring
- Cleaning their bottom thoroughly after pooping – ask your groomer for a hygiene cut if they have long fur, so that you don’t get any of those Klingon problems!
- If the scooting is prolonged, your dog seems in pain or shows other signs of discomfort than do consult your Vet, and pop in for a quick vet visit.
Scooting in your puppy might be caused by impacted anal glands, parasites such as worms, allergies, poo stuck to their fur, or itchiness. It’s recommended seeing a Vet who can examine your dog and then provide suggestions to address the underlying reason for the scooting. You can help reduce your puppy’s discomfort at home by keeping their bottom area clean with regular grooming, increasing fibre intake in their diet, and closely watching their behaviour. Remember to consult your vet if your puppy continues to scoot or shows other signs of discomfort.
Not done with thinking about poo yet? Read all about why puppies eat cat poop! Ok, for something more fun and a bit cleaner, why not try teaching your puppy some tricks, like spin or bow.
Download the Zigzag app to get access to a whole library of puppy training material that will take your puppy’s training from zero to hero in no time. With easily digestible daily lessons that take you through step by step exercises to get the best behaved dog around. We also have a team of in house professional dog trainers ready to talk to you 24/7 via our in-app chat.
