Why does a dog scoot its butt across the floor?

A dog dragging its rear end across the floor can look a little strange or even funny. The dog often moves forward by scooting across the floor, which is why dragging its rear end across the floor is also known as “scooting.” However, dogs do not do this for fun; they do it for a reason. In this blog, we’ll explain why a dog drags its bottom across the floor and how you can prevent it.

Reasons why dogs drag their bottoms across the floor

The first thought many dog owners have when they see their dog dragging its bottom across the floor is that the dog has worms. Worms are indeed one possible cause of this behavior, but there are many other possible causes as well. We’ll discuss them in more detail below:

The dog needs to poop
Let’s start with the simplest cause: some dogs drag their rear ends across the floor because they simply need to poop. Note that when a dog indicates that it needs to poop by dragging its bottom across the floor, it usually does so only briefly. If your dog experiences this behavior more often and for longer periods, something else is probably going on.

Debris is stuck to the dog’s bottom
A dog may drag its bottom across the floor if something that should not be there becomes stuck to its rear end or fur. This can happen, for example, when the dog has eaten grass. Grass is not digested by the dog’s body and therefore comes out again in the same strands. Feces can also become stuck in the fur, particularly in long-haired dogs. When it dries, it can pull on the skin and cause discomfort. In an attempt to loosen it, the dog may drag its bottom across the floor. Therefore, keep a close eye on your dog’s rear end and clean it when you notice dirt stuck to it.

Blocked anal glands
With the reasons mentioned above, you generally do not need to worry, as the dog will usually resolve the issue itself. Blocked anal glands are a different matter. This is by far the most common reason dogs drag their bottoms across the floor.

The anal glands are two sacs located in the sphincter muscles of a dog’s anus. These sacs are normally emptied automatically when the dog poops, as the feces press them empty. Dogs that have recently had diarrhea may suffer from blocked anal glands, since loose stools do not empty the sacs. Blocked anal glands can become itchy. To relieve the itching, the dog may drag its bottom across the floor; after all, it cannot reach its rear end with its paws to scratch it. Blocked anal glands cause the sacs to become overfull, which can even lead to inflammation. This is extremely painful for a dog, so if you suspect that your dog is having problems with its anal glands, it is advisable to visit a veterinarian.

There are dozens of descriptions online explaining how to empty the anal glands yourself, but this is absolutely not recommended. Emptying anal glands that are not overfull can stimulate the production of anal fluid, potentially causing even more problems.

Worms/parasites
Intestinal parasites such as tapeworms can cause itching around the anus. Initially, you may not notice anything unusual in a dog with a worm infection; symptoms usually only appear in the case of a severe infection. Worms may be visible in the dog’s vomit or feces, and the dog may drag its bottom across the floor because of the itching. A worm infection can also cause other symptoms, such as weight loss, poor coat quality, diarrhea, and an increased appetite.

Irritated skin
If the dog has recently had diarrhea—or suffers from recurring diarrhea due to, for example, a food allergy—the skin around the anus can become inflamed. As the skin heals, this can cause itching. To relieve the itching, the dog may want to drag its bottom across the floor.