Does Your Dog Do the Butt Scoot?

Have you ever seen your dog, or someone else's dog sit on the floor and then drag it's butt across the floor or in circles?  At first it looks hilarious, but if your pet does it often, there could be some underlying medical reasons that you should be concerned about.

Butt scooting is a result of anal gland problems, which may occur when our pet's feces are too soft, and while passing through the glands, do not empty them completely.  Also, if their glands produce too much liquid, it can thicken and clog.  If either of these happens, you will notice your pet begin to lick around their anus frequently and start butt scooting along the floor.

If the area around their anus starts showing signs such as appearing red or discolored, your pet is experiencing pain, developing fever, losing their appetite and becoming lethargic, please call your Veterinarian immediately!  In these situations it indicates that the glands have become infected and your pet will need antibiotics as prescribed by your Veterinarian.  Luckily if none of the signs of infection is apparent, simple home remedies can work for you and your pet !

1. Clean out your pet's anal glands.  Your pet's anal sacs are located just below their anus at the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions.  By holding up their tail in the vertical position, place your fingers on the location of the anal sacs, and squeeze (not too hard, but like squeezing a grape).  Use a napkin to catch the liquid and DO NOT get any of it on you!  Afterwards apply a warm, wet cloth to the area to help soothe your pet's anal area for about 10 minutes.  Repeat process for at least three times.
2. Increase your pet's fiber intake.  This is absolutely, my most favorite recommendation.  Offer your pets some fresh vegetables, such as carrots, cabbage, celery, and pumpkin.  By adding more fiber to your pet's regular diet, it will naturally help them express or clear their anal glands due to an increased amount of poop they will make.  This is a natural remedy to eliminate problems of impacted glands.