Simple Home Remedies for Dog Scooting

The reality is that a home remedy for dog scooting might not exist (at least something that’s safe for dog owners to do on their own). Dog scooting can occur due to underlying health problems that can only be treated by the vet. There are, however, causes that dog owners might be able to resolve on their own and this is the part we focus on in this article. Before we get to the home remedies, it’s important to understand what the main causes of dog scooting are.

What causes dog scooting?

Dog scooting is when a dog sits down and starts to drag their bottom along the ground. This can cause a mess in the house especially if the dog scoots after it went to poop, but more importantly, dog scooting could be a sign that your dog is unwell. Here are some common causes of dog scooting.

Anal gland issues

Dogs may scoot because they are having anal gland issues. There could be inflammation or irritation along the dog’s anal sacs because the content within the sacs haven’t been getting emptied properly. You might notice an odd fish smell or metal smell from your dog when this happens.

Food allergies

Dogs may also start to scoot with their bottoms on the ground due to food allergies. The dog’s bottom may start to feel really itchy and the only way they can relieve the itchiness is by scooting.

Not getting enough exercise

A lack of physical exercise could be a indirect cause of dog scooting. The less exercise and walks the dog does, the less opportunities the dog has to pass a bowel movement. Less bowel movement can eventually contribute to constipation as well as issues with the anal glands.

Home remedies for dog scooting

So what can you do on your own to reduce the dog scooting behavior? First, if your dog doesn’t look well or is in pain, please call the vet immediately. As mentioned above, there could be underlying health problems causing the dog scooting behavior, some of which could become quite serious.

Second, make sure the dog’s anal glands are getting properly expressed. It’s possible to do this on your own but it’s highly recommended that this is only done under the instructions of a vet.

Third, make sure exercise is not the cause of the dog scooting behavior. At minimum, the dog should be taken out twice a day. Not only does this keep the dog happy but it also gives opportunities for the dogs to do their business (especially if they have been potty-trained outside).

Last but not least, examine if your dog is on the right diet. Some dogs, for example, are allergic to grains (especially in poor-quality dog food). You will either want to switch to something that’s of higher quality or make sure the dog food doesn’t contain any ingredients that your dog is allergic to.