Dog scooting its bottom across the floor? These are the causes (and what to do)

You're sitting comfortably on the couch and suddenly you see it: your dog sits down, lifts its hind legs and drags its bottom across the carpet. It may look funny, but this "scooting" is usually a sign that something isn't right around your dog's rear end. In this article you'll learn the most common causes and what you can do about it yourself.

What exactly is "scooting"?

Scooting is the nickname for the behaviour where a dog drags its rear end across the floor while sitting. Dogs do this to relieve itching or irritation around the anus. So it's not a matter of being naughty or playful: your dog is trying to get rid of an uncomfortable feeling. If it happens once, there's usually nothing wrong. If you see it recurring, it's time to find the cause.

The 5 most common causes

1. Full or blocked anal glands

This is by far the most common cause. The anal glands are two small glands on either side of the anus. They produce a scent that dogs use to mark their territory. Normally these glands empty themselves with every bowel movement. When that doesn't happen properly, they become full, cause a pressing or itchy feeling, and your dog scoots to relieve that pressure. You'll often notice a typical, unpleasant fishy smell too.

2. Worms or other parasites

A worm infestation can cause itching around the anus. Sometimes you'll see small, rice-grain-like particles around the anus or in the stool. Do you deworm your dog on schedule? Then this cause is less likely, but never entirely ruled out.

3. Skin irritation or allergy

Irritated skin around the anus – for example due to a food allergy, coat problems or traces of diarrhoea in the fur – can also cause itching. Long-haired dogs are more prone to this.

4. Residue after defecation

Sometimes stool or dirt simply gets stuck in the fur around the anus. Your dog then tries to scrape it away. This happens more often in dogs with long or dense fur around the rear end.

5. Soft stools or disrupted digestion

This is where many causes come together. If your dog's stool is too soft, it applies too little pressure to the anal glands during defecation. And that pressure is exactly what's needed to empty the glands naturally. So disrupted digestion or an imbalance in the gut flora can indirectly lead to full anal glands – and therefore to scooting.

Why firm stools are so important

This deserves some extra attention, because it's the area where you have the most influence. A dog's anal glands empty best with firm, well-formed stools. Such firm stools press gently against the glands as they pass, releasing their contents. If the stool is too loose or too soft, that pressure is missing and the glands stay full.

Healthy digestion and a balanced gut flora are therefore the foundation for well-functioning anal glands. And that's exactly something you can work on with the right diet and support.

What can you do yourself?

Fortunately, there are several things you can tackle yourself:

• Ensure enough fibre in the diet. Fibre helps make stools firmer, allowing the anal glands to empty better.
• Give pre- and probiotics. Probiotics (good gut bacteria) and prebiotics (food for those bacteria) support healthy digestion and a balanced gut flora. This contributes to good bowel movements – and thereby to the natural expression of the anal glands.
• Keep the weight in check. In overweight dogs, the anal glands often empty less well. A healthy weight helps.
• Ensure enough exercise. Movement stimulates healthy gut activity.
• Keep the fur around the anus clean and short. Especially in long-haired dogs, this prevents dirt from sticking.
• Always provide fresh drinking water. Sufficient fluid keeps digestion going.

Support from within: soft chews for the anal glands

If you want to support digestion and the natural expression of the anal glands specifically, special soft chews are a handy and tasty solution. The CuraFriend Anal Gland Soft Chews are developed to support the natural expression of the anal glands. They contain a combination of:

• probiotics (Enterococcus faecium) – a beneficial gut bacterium that naturally lives in the dog's intestine
• prebiotics (fructo-oligosaccharides and inulin) – fibres that serve as food for the good gut bacteria
• fibre from ingredients such as ground linseed – for firm, well-formed stools

Together these ingredients support digestion and a balanced gut flora, and thereby the natural expression of the anal glands. You simply give the chews as a daily snack or reward – no pill struggles. View the product and the feeding instructions on the CuraFriend Anal Gland Soft Chews product page.

When should you see the vet?

Support from within is great, but in some cases a visit to the vet is necessary. Get in touch if:

• your dog keeps scooting despite your measures
• you see swelling, redness or a wound around the anus
• your dog seems to be in pain when sitting or defecating
• blood or pus is visible
• the glands are really blocked (impacted) or inflamed

The vet can manually express the anal glands if needed and check whether there's an infection or abscess. Don't wait too long with this: blocked anal glands can become painful and lead to inflammation.

In short

If your dog is scooting its bottom across the floor, there's almost always itching or irritation behind it – and full anal glands are the most common culprit. With firm stools, a healthy gut flora and the right support, you help the anal glands empty naturally. Does the scooting persist or do you notice other complaints? Then the vet is always the right place to go.