Why Is My Dog Scooting?

A common misconception is scooting automatically means your pet has worms. Parasites can cause itching, but the first two suspects are usually the anal glands. These scent glands are on each side of the anus and the gland itself is not visible from the outside, only its small exit duct. Usually they empty themselves when the animal defecates or becomes extremely fearful. However, sometimes, especially in smaller dogs, they don’t. When the gland empties, it emits a thin, foul smelling liquid. If this doesn’t happen naturally, the pet can run the risk of impaction, infection, or in severe cases rupture. Scooting can be one of the first signs of a gland problem. Occasionally the glands will leak, leaving a foul smell where the dog has been sitting/scooting. If the glands are empty, then we can investigate other possibilities such as allergies, skin conditions, or parasites.