For those of you wondering why does my dog keep dragging its bum on the floor, these could be the reasons:
- Matted fur on its rear end.
- Dog allergies include food allergies, flea allergy dermatitis, and environmental allergies.
- Anal sac disease.
- Tapeworm infestation
- Tumors
Why Does My Dog Keep Dragging His Bum Across The Floor?
If you’ve ever asked yourself, Why does my dog keep dragging his bum across the floor? let me just say — you’re in the right place!
We humans don’t always understand why our pets do what they do, in this case — drag their bum — so we immediately think this kind of behavior is silly. However, that’s not always the case.
Bum dragging can be a sign that something is seriously bothering your dog in that area. If your dog is a regular bum dragger, this article will help you gain a better understanding of why your pooch is behaving this way.
Why Does My Dog Keep Dragging His Bum Across The Floor — Most Common Causes
Since there are several different reasons why your dog could be bum dragging, and some of them are more serious than others, let’s begin with the most common, less serious ones.
A Case of Matted Fur
If your pooch is long-haired, then this just may be the reason it’s dragging its bum. The fur around its rectum can easily become matted if not properly and regularly groomed. Since dogs can’t exactly groom themselves around that area, the only thing they can do in order to alleviate the discomfort is to drag their bums.
The best way to deal with this kind of problem is to simply groom your dog regularly so its fur doesn’t become matted.
Although this is one of the less serious causes, if you don’t deal with the problem on time, your dog can seriously hurt itself with all the butt dragging.
Dog Allergies
Just like humans, dogs can develop allergies. The most common ones for dogs are:
- Food allergies
- Flea allergy dermatitis
- Environmental allergies
Food Allergies
Food allergies in dogs usually cause itchy skin or skin rashes around their paws and ears. Furthermore, if your dog has a serious food allergy it will most likely develop gastrointestinal symptoms over time, which can include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, constipation, and excess flatulence.
If your dog’s symptoms only include bum dragging and a rash, you will need to monitor its food intake. Check up on your pooch after every meal, to see if the symptoms get worse or stay the same. However, if your dog starts to develop gastrointestinal symptoms, you should take it to a vet as soon as possible.
Note: Make sure you thoroughly clean your dog’s living area. If your dog is inclined to eat garbage from time to time, also make sure you keep it out of your pup’s reach. Sometimes our dogs get sneaky and raid the garbage can when we’re not looking, which can be incredibly dangerous, and it could be the reason why they developed the allergy symptoms.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis
Flea allergy dermatitis (also known as flea bite hypersensitivity) is one of the most common dermatologic diseases in domestic dogs. Ultimately, flea allergies are most common in the summer, however, dogs can develop them all year round.
Symptoms of flea allergy dermatitis include hair loss around the itchy area, pimples on the skin, rashes, and bum dragging.
If your dog is constantly scratching and biting its skin, and you notice that the bum dragging is getting more frequent, you need to schedule a consultation with the vet.
Environmental Allergies
Dogs can have an allergic reaction to dust, mold, and pollen just like us humans. These kinds of allergies are usually seasonal, so your dog might not drag its bum and bite at its fur all year round, but only at certain times during the year.
In addition to dragging its bum, your dog can also develop a rash between its pause, which will cause it to frantically bite that area. Itchy ears are also a common symptom that causes most pet owners to think their dog has a food allergy.
In either case, you should take your dog to the vet for a checkup.
Why Does My Dog Keep Dragging His Bum Across The Floor — Serious Causes
The following causes for bum dragging are more serious than the ones I mentioned before. But don’t worry, they can also be treated successfully if caught on time. In each of these cases, you will need to consult a veterinarian for the right diagnosis and how to treat it.
Anal Sac Disease
If your dog has anal sac disease, you will notice the following signs:
- Constant bum dragging
- Licking and biting the area around its rear end
- Discomfort while sitting
- Constipation
- A bad odor
When your pup does its business, the anal sac fluid is squeezed out. However, when the sacs are not emptied properly, the fluid can dry up and plug up the opening. This will cause your pooch to become inflamed (or impacted).
Dogs tend to drag their bums on the floor in order to alleviate the pain, or in some cases, empty the sacs. However, if it’s unable to empty them, they can become infected. Diagnosing your dog’s condition on time can help it avoid a whole lot of discomfort, so be wary of the symptoms.
Tapeworm Infestation
Most people wondering why does my dog keeps dragging his bum across the floor often think of tapeworms. And let me tell you, tapeworms are pretty sneaky!
Tapeworms are nasty creatures that can grow and break into pieces and travel into your dog’s intestines. In some cases, these pieces can be so small that they’re virtually invisible to the human eye.
In other cases, you will notice some pale-colored objects in your dog’s feces. That’s a telltale sign that it has tapeworms.
Your dog can easily contract a tapeworm from other animals, such as rabbits, rodents, and birds.
Another dangerous fact about tapeworms is that humans can contract them as well! That’s why catching the problem on time is crucial, for the health of your dog as well as your own.
Perianal Gland Tumor
Perianal gland tumor is a pretty common tumor in dogs. Although intact male dogs tend to have them more often, females can suffer from them as well.
If you notice that your dog is dragging its bum and that it has a significant swelling with redness or bruising, your pup may have a tumor, in which case it will need immediate treatment.
Note: Cocker Spaniels, Bulldogs, beagles, and Samoyeds are more predisposed to tumors, however, all dog breeds can suffer from perianal adenomas.
The Conclusion
I hope you found my article, aptly titled why does my dog keep dragging his bum across the floor, helpful, and that you now have a better understanding of the subject.
So, the next time you see your dog dragging its bum on the floor, start paying more attention to how frequently it does this.
With all these causes, getting the right treatment on time can save your pooch’s life. Don’t be afraid to schedule an appointment with a vet even if your dog isn’t a frequent bum-dragger. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and your dog will appreciate the help!
