Dogs groom themselves regularly with their tongues, so it may not seem unusual when a pup appears to be licking its anal area. In most cases, where this behavior is occasional, there is no cause for concern. In some cases, dogs lick this area more often if they have long fur, which can easily collect dirt and debris, such as fecal matter or leaves and mud from outside.
When a dog licks more frequently in its anal area and exhibits discomfort or pain, this can be a symptom of a more severe problem. While most conditions are easily treated, it’s essential to take note of any changes to your dog’s health and related changes, including grooming behaviors, as these can indicate that treatment may be required.
Seasonal or Regular Allergies
A common reason for a dog licking its butt is allergies, whether they are consistent with a specific food, environment, or seasonal. When this occurs, inflammation and itchiness occur near the dog’s anal area, which causes dogs to lick more frequently to relieve the discomfort and soreness.
Many allergies can affect your dog’s skin, including a skin allergy to topical treatment or ointment. Many types of allergies cause skin discomfort, including in the anal area, such as environmental allergies, dog food sensitivities, and veterinary medicine reactions.
Since it’s difficult to determine the exact allergy source or if there are multiple allergies, a veterinarian can perform a test to find the specific food allergy or if the reaction is seasonal or environmental. Once you find the culprit, it becomes easier to rule out other causes, such as an infection or parasites.
Treatment for allergies requires removing or reducing the offending foods or factors from your home to alleviate the symptoms so your dog can heal. In some cases where allergies are severe, medication may help relieve symptoms.
Various parasites can infect your dog and cause many symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, and rapid weight loss. The most common infestations are tapeworms, hookworms, fleas, and roundworms, which often appear near a dog’s butt, and can irritate the area, which causes excessive licking.
If the parasitic infection isn’t detected early or untreated, your dog’s health can worsen and lead to anemia, severe weight loss, and malnutrition. Once an infestation is found, parasites are efficiently and successfully treatable with prescribed medication.
Anal Gland Issues
Dogs may groom or lick their anal area when there’s an anal gland problem, such as an infection or impacted anal glands. When this occurs, you may also notice a dog rubs behind on the floor to soothe the anal glands and find relief from the rectal itching. If this condition is suspected, it’s essential to visit a veterinarian, as it could lead to more severe issues, including anal sac disease.
Injury or Infection
If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, it may be susceptible to exposure to other dogs, animals, or environmental factors that can cause injury or infection. For example, if a dog gets trapped or injured outside from unattended equipment, tools, or chemicals, this may cause irritation and severe damage that requires emergency medical attention.
Your dog may lick its behind more often to soothe an infection or injury in the rectal area, even during the treatment and healing. If an injury is severe, your dog’s licking may cause further inflammation, and topical treatment with a cone to prevent licking may be helpful.
How to Prevent Your Dog from Licking Its Butt
A few techniques can prevent a dog from licking its butt, which is especially important when there’s the possibility of a severe anal gland issue, parasites, or infections. If this behavior is noticed occasionally, it’s likely just part of your pet’s regular grooming routine, and there shouldn’t be any further concerns.
When your dog requires medical treatment for an anal gland infection or internal parasites, it’s essential to prevent them from grooming their rear end, as this could interfere with the condition’s improvement.
Suggestions for Keeping Your Dog Healthy
If your dog’s butt licking is a cause for concern, or you simply want it to stop, there are some easy ways to keep your pet from the behavior:
- An ointment or topical cream that soothes the infected area can also reduce itching and your dog’s licking in this region.
- Distracting your pet with toys or play can drastically reduce the likelihood of excessive licking and forgetting about it altogether.
- Determine the cause of irritation if your dog licks its butt often by visiting the vet as soon as possible.
- Your dog can wear a cone, which can help prevent them from licking their butt when they need to heal from surgery or recovering from an infection. Following a surgical procedure, your pet may receive medication to ease their discomfort during the healing process.
- Be consistent with treatment, and follow the vet’s instructions, especially if the ointment, medication, or topical creams need to be applied or administered within a specific time frame.
Dogs with long fur and thick coats are more likely to groom frequently due to debris and dirt build-up. If a dog sheds often or has sensitive skin, this can lead to excessive licking or grooming practices at certain times, though it shouldn’t cause any problems.
Some breeds, such as Terriers and Doodle breeds, require regular professional grooming due to their coat’s texture, which can also prevent joint skin irritation or infections.
While dog grooming is a natural part of your pet’s routine and often includes your pet licking its butt, it’s always essential to determine any underlying causes if it becomes excessive. Quick, consistent treatment of a parasitic infection or injury is the most effective way of addressing your dog’s obsessive licking while giving them a sense of relief.
Anal gland problems and other related conditions impact various dog breeds, including Miniature Poodles, German Shepherds, Cocker Spaniels, and any size and life stage.