Why Your Dog Keeps Licking the Base of His Tail

Dogs lick their body all the time but it can get worrying if the licking is excessive or if the dog is suddenly licking a certain part of his body such as the base of his tail. Here are the most common reasons why dogs might do this.

The Dog’s Anal Sac Needs to be Expressed

The dog might be licking the base of his tail all the time because he is having trouble expressing his anal sacs. Dogs that have this problem will most likely develop a fishy smell. Dog owners can express a dog’s anal sac on their own. There are plenty of videos you can find online that will help teach you the right squeezing technique.

Flea or Parasitic Bites

The licking might also have to do with a flea or parasitic bite. It just so happens that the bitten area is around the base of the dog’s tail. In addition to the excessive licking, you may also notice other signs like the development of a red bump.

Normal Grooming Behavior

In some cases, it might just be normal grooming behavior (unless you feel the tail licking is too excessive). Dogs like to groom and keep themselves clean so the occasional lick to the base of the tail shouldn’t be viewed as too much of a concern for dog owners.