Dogs usually drag their butt on the ground (often called “scooting”) because something around their anus feels itchy, painful, or irritated, and scooting is their way of trying to relieve it.

Most common cause

The number one reason is anal gland (anal sac) trouble, where the little scent glands just inside the anus get too full, clogged, or infected and become very uncomfortable. Dogs then scoot to try to “express” those glands or relieve the pressure, and you might also see licking at the area or a strong fishy smell.

Other possible reasons

Several other issues can also make a dog drag its rear:

• Intestinal parasites like tapeworms or other worms that cause intense itchiness around the anus.

• Skin irritation from diarrhea, allergies, grooming, or infections around the anus or vulva, which leads to burning or itching and triggers scooting.

• Less common but serious problems such as rectal prolapse, tumors, or severe infections around the rectal area.

What you should do

A single quick scoot after pooping can be normal, especially if some stool or hair is stuck there. But if your dog scoots repeatedly, seems in pain, has a bad smell, visible worms, swelling, blood, or pus, it is important to have a veterinarian examine the anal glands and check for parasites or skin problems. Keeping your dog on regular parasite prevention, managing allergies, maintaining good stool quality with appropriate diet, and having anal glands checked when needed can all help prevent recurring scooting.