Why does a dog rub its butt on the ground?

A dog rubbing its hindquarters on the ground; it can look a little crazy or even funny. Often, the dog moves along the ground while sliding, which is why rubbing the hindquarters on the ground is also known as "sledding. Yet a dog does not do this for fun; he does it for a reason. In this blog, we will discuss why a dog rubs its butt on the ground and how to prevent it.

Causes why dogs scrub their butts on the ground

The first thought of many dog owners when they see their dog rubbing their butt on the ground is that the dog has worms. Worms are indeed one of the possible causes of this behavior, but there are many other causes. We'll go over them with you in more detail below:

The dog has to poop
We'll start with the simplest cause: some dogs scrape their hindquarters on the ground simply because they need to poop. Please note: in the event that a dog indicates that it has to poop by rubbing its butt on the ground, in most cases they only do this for a short time. If your dog suffers from this behavior more often and for longer periods of time, then something else is probably going on.

There are leftovers on the dog's butt
A dog may scrape its butt over the ground if something sticks to its rump or coat that should not be there. This can happen, for example, when the dog has eaten grass. Grass does not digest in the dog's body and thus comes out again in the same strands. It can also occur that at (mainly long-haired) dogs feces gets stuck in the coat. When this dries up, it can pull on the skin causing an unpleasant feeling. In an attempt to loosen this, the dog may scrape his butt over the ground. Therefore, keep a close eye on your dog's rump and clean it when you see dirt on your dog's butt.

Clogged anal glands
For the above reasons, you don't need to worry, in most cases the dog will resolve this on its own. With clogged anal glands, it's a different story. This is also by far the most common reason for dogs rubbing their butt on the ground.

The anal glands are two pouches located in the sphincter of the dog's anus. These pouches are normally emptied automatically when the dog defecates, with the stool pushing the pouches empty. Dogs who have recently had diarrhea may suffer from clogged anal glands; in fact, thin stools do not push out the pouches. Clogged anal glands may become itchy. To relieve the itching, the dog will rub his butt on the ground; after all, they cannot reach their rear end with their paws to scratch. Clogged anal glands cause the pouches to become overfilled, which can even cause them to become inflamed. This is incredibly painful for a dog, so if you suspect your dog is suffering from his anal glands, it is advisable to go to the vet.

There are dozens of descriptions on the Internet on how to empty the anal glands yourself, but this is absolutely not recommended. In fact, when emptying anal glands that are not overfull, the production of anal fluid is stimulated extra, which can actually cause more problems.

Worms/parasites
Intestinal parasites such as tapeworms can cause itching around the anus. Initially, when a worm infestation occurs, you don't notice anything about the dog; it is only when the worm infestation is severe that symptoms appear. For example, there may be worms in the vomit or in the dog's stool, and the dog may start rubbing his butt on the ground when itching. A worm infection can also have other symptoms, such as weight loss, poor coat quality, diarrhea and increased appetite.

Irritated skin
If the dog has recently had diarrhea (or suffers from recurring diarrhea due to a food allergy, for example), the skin around the anus may become inflamed. When the skin heals, it can cause itching. To relieve the itching, the dog may want to rub its butt on the ground.

What should you do when a dog rubs his butt over the ground?

When you see your dog rubbing his rear end on the ground, the first step is to check his bottom. Check your dog's bum for redness, swelling or (traces of) worms. Does your dog have a long coat? Then it is advisable to cut it short(er) so that you can see the rump well and keep an eye on it for a while. This way, you can also immediately cut away any scraps that may have gotten stuck in the coat.

If you suspect a skin, digestive or anal gland problem, it is advisable to go to the veterinarian. The veterinarian can empty the anal glands and prescribe antibiotics in case the glands are inflamed. In addition, the veterinarian can conduct further investigations to rule out and/or treat other causes of the dog shedding.

What can you do to prevent a dog from rubbing his butt on the ground?

To prevent a dog from rubbing his butt on the ground, first of all, it is important to regularly check your dog's hindquarters for any scraps that may have stuck to the fur. In addition, make sure you deworm the dog regularly.

Second, this behavior often occurs after diarrhea. As mentioned above, this is because diarrhea leads to clogged/overflowing anal glands. Does your dog suffer from (prolonged) diarrhea? Then feed him easily digestible food with high-quality nutrients, but don't suddenly switch types of food. Turkey or venison are examples of easily digestible protein sources. Feeding the dog easily digestible food gives the dog's stomach and intestines a chance to settle down, making it more likely that the dog will regain solid stools faster.

Riverwood Adult Deer & Lamb with Rabbit dog kibble contains easily digestible sources of protein. Several varieties with easily digestible protein sources of the Riverwood Mono Protein canned foods are also available in our assortment.

Does your dog frequently suffer from clogged/overflowing anal glands? If so, have him checked regularly at the vet.

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