Whenever dogs sit down and start licking their butts, it is usually a signal that the bottom area feels painful or itchy. The cause of irritation around the anal region in your dogs can be varied, but all of them require you to schedule a trip to the vet to reduce that discomfort. Read on below and discover the top reasons why dogs lick their butts.
Anal Gland Problems
A primary reason for discomfort around a dog’s butt is that their anal glands can be infected or adversely impacted. Besides licking around the affected area, the dog may also drag himself along the floor to seek relief from irritation through scratching. Healthy anal glands typically expel smelly fluids every time the dog defecates. If that doesn’t occur, these glands become impacted and swell up, leading to an abscess or bacterial infection. The vet will typically expel these fluids manually before prescribing treatment for any related infections.
Internal Parasites
Various types of internal parasites, including tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms, that live within your dog’s intestines may cause anal irritation and other health issues like nutritional deficiencies, vomiting, diarrhea, and anemia. You may also find the segments of these parasitic worms in around the dog’s anus and even in the stool. Once the fecal sample test is carried out, your veterinarian will prescribe treatment that will eliminate the internal parasites.
Allergies and External Parasites
Mites, fleas, and ticks all cause your dog’s rear region to become itchy. Fortunately, there are topical parasite treatments that you can use to get rid of these external parasites. However, if the parasites are not the reason for the itchy butts, you need to consider food allergies and contact allergies. With frequent bathing, hypoallergenic diet, and anti-inflammatory creams or drugs, you can provide relief for allergy-related butt itchiness.
Skin Infection
A fungal or bacterial skin infection may occur around the dog’s anal area, particularly when the affected skin was punctured. The anal area is particularly susceptible to diseases due to fecal matter presence every time your dog defecates. Regrettably, through excessively licking the anal region to minimize itching and pain, the skin gets more irritated, thus making the skin infections worse.
Conclusion
It is perfectly reasonable for dogs to lick their backside when grooming themselves. However, if you notice that the licking has become persistent or excessive, then it requires a diagnosis by your vet. You may even require getting an Elizabethan dog collar to help minimize further damage to the area your dog is licking to give it enough space and time to heal. In other cases, butt licking can also indicate anxiety issues, where no medical causes are identified.
Sources: Pet Health Network, The Nest, I Heart Dogs
