Every once in awhile, a pet parent might find the dog doing something disgusting like drinking out of the toilet or chowing down on leftovers from the garbage that have been sitting there for three days. But what does it mean when the dog is scooting across the carpet? Nobody wants their dog to get so up close and personal with the fabric of the home, but it is a problem that should not be ignored.
Yes, scooting does imply that the pup has an itchy bottom, so this is a problem that needs to be solved, especially if the behavior happens over and over again. One possibility is full anal sacs. Usually anal sacs are expressed when a dog makes a bowel movement, but sometimes they need a little extra help. Failing to express anal sacs when needed can lead to infection, so it is important to have this done at the vet. The veterinarian can even teach someone how to do this at home. Another cause of scooting is allergies or diarrhea, which also tend to irritate the anal sac area. Usually this problem can be remedied with a good diet.
Sometimes, scooting means that the dog is infected with tapeworms. Tapeworms pass their eggs with the fecal matter, and the egg packets are approximately 1/2 inch in length. They wiggle around in the feces, so this will irritate the dog. The eggs are visible to the human eye, which is why it is so important to monitor bowel movements and check fecal matter to see if it is normal. Tapeworms are transmitted by fleas and not killed by the usual dewormers, and very rarely do tapeworms make dogs sick. Flea prevention is necessary to prevent tapeworms.
Scooting is not limited to just dogs. Sometimes cats will scoot as well, but this is not very common. If scooting remains a problem, the veterinarian might call for tests, including a rectal examination, visual exam, and a fecal exam. Treatment will depend on the diagnosis, and may include an E-collar to prevent the pet from licking or chewing the area.
Although it isn’t a pleasant topic, knowing why a pet scoots is necessary to give pets care as needed.
This article was written by My Pet Saving’s contributor Melissa. She has a master’s degree in creative writing, owns several pets and runs her own online pet magazine. To learn more about this author check out the contributor profile page.
