Man’s best friend dragging his butt across the floor isn’t very attractive or cute to look at. But as dog owners, the scene of our dog dragging his butt across the floor is an all-too-familiar event. Why do dogs do that? Is it to get back at that horribly dry kibble we just accidentally fed him? Or is it neurotic behavior due to some genetic material going back millions of years? Go now! Let’s not get carried away by our thoughts now.
Reason #1: My butt itches
Yes, I wrote it. One of the reasons dogs drag their butts on the ground is because it itches. They cannot reach that part of their body with their teeth. So when it itches, the way dogs scratch that area is by dragging it across the floor.
Now, there are secondary reasons why your butt might itch. They may have some dirt stuck in there. The proud owner of the dog may have to give him a bath to help relieve the itching in that area. The dog may have also been bitten by an insect in that area. Some anti-itch cream may be needed on that area. Check with your vet about this first, however, before trying it.
Reason #2: Whoops! My anal glands are affected
This reason is the most common for dogs that drag their butts quite regularly. A dog’s anal glands are located on either side of his butt. When impacted, fluids that are normally secreted build up inside the dog’s glands. This accumulation of fluid causes the glands to harden and cause discomfort to the dog. Dragging your butt across the floor helps alleviate this discomfort.
The anal glands are affected may be due to improper diet. Feeding the wrong foods creates havoc with the digestive system which in turn prevents the proper functioning of the glands.
Two possible solutions can be tried for this. One, you can empty the tassels regularly by squeezing the tassels with your fingers. Two, you can choose to feed only premium foods that do not contain any by-products or other ingredients known to be unhealthy to feed.
While it may be normal for your pet to occasionally drag his butt on the ground, if you observe it regularly, take steps to address a potential health issue. It may require a trip to the vet so the vet can empty the glands in a quick and painless method.