Dog Scooting and Licking Bottom: When to See the Vet

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-08-14

Key Takeaways

• Scooting and licking the perianal area in dogs are most commonly associated with anal gland impaction or infection, where the sacs fail to empty properly, leading to discomfort and pressure.
• Urgent veterinary intervention is required for signs of severe anal gland distress, including inability to defecate, significant perianal swelling, heat, redness, open wounds, or systemic signs like vomiting and lethargy, which can indicate a ruptured gland or abscess.
• Less severe but persistent scooting, presence of blood or pus, vocalization upon palpation, or a foul odor warrant a same-day veterinary appointment for potential anal gland expression, infection treatment, or stool sample analysis for parasites.
• Differential diagnoses for scooting include intestinal parasites (e.g., tapeworms), allergies (food or environmental), and skin infections, necessitating a veterinary examination and diagnostic tests such as fecal flotation or skin cytology.
• At-home care for mild, transient scooting involves gentle cleaning with warm water and observation for 24 hours, but owners must avoid manual anal gland expression, human medications, or topical treatments without veterinary guidance due to risks of injury and toxicity.
• Prevention strategies include maintaining a healthy weight, increasing dietary fiber (under veterinary guidance) to promote firmer stools, current parasite prevention, and managing underlying allergies, with some dogs requiring regular anal gland expression.

If your dog is scooting, dragging their bottom along the floor, and licking their rear end, the most common cause is full or irritated anal glands. These two small sacs sit just inside the anus and release a scent fluid when your dog poops. When they do not empty properly, they become uncomfortable and your dog tries to relieve the pressure. Most cases are not emergencies, but some signs mean you need to act fast. Watch your dog closely for the next few hours and check for the specific warning signs listed below.

Scooting and licking can also come from intestinal parasites, allergies, or a skin infection. You cannot tell which one is causing the problem just by looking. A veterinarian needs to examine your dog and often run a simple test to find the cause. If your dog seems otherwise happy, eating well, and pooping normally, you have time to call your clinic for advice. If your dog shows any sign of pain, swelling, or a serious blockage, do not wait.

Is This an Emergency?

Use this table to decide your next step. When in doubt, call your veterinarian. They know your dog's history and can give you specific advice.

{
 "type": "triage",
 "title": "Urgency triage by severity of signs",
 "tiers": [
  {
   "tier": "danger",
   "label": "Go to an emergency vet now",
   "signs": [
    "Your dog cannot poop at all, strains hard with nothing coming out, or cries out when trying to poop",
    "The area around the anus is swollen, hot, red, or has an open wound",
    "You see a tear or hole in the skin near the anus",
    "Your dog is vomiting, has a swollen belly, or is very lethargic and will not move"
   ],
   "action": [
    "Do not wait for a regular appointment",
    "Find the nearest emergency veterinary hospital and go immediately",
    "This can indicate a ruptured anal gland, an abscess, or a blockage that can become life-threatening"
   ]
  },
  {
   "tier": "warn",
   "label": "Book a same-day appointment",
   "signs": [
    "Your dog scoots or licks more than a few times per hour",
    "You see blood or pus on the floor, on your dog's fur, or in the stool",
    "Your dog whines or yelps when sitting or when you touch the rear end",
    "The anus looks red, swollen, or has a bad smell"
   ],
   "action": [
    "Call your regular clinic as soon as they open",
    "Explain what you see",
    "They will likely want to see your dog today to express the anal glands, check for infection, or test a stool sample"
   ]
  },
  {
   "tier": "safe",
   "label": "Watch at home for 24 hours",
   "signs": [
    "Your dog scoots once or twice a day and stops after pooping",
    "Your dog licks the area briefly and then moves on",
    "Your dog eats, drinks, plays, and poops normally",
    "There is no blood, swelling, or odor"
   ],
   "action": [
    "Keep a diary of how often your dog scoots and licks",
    "Check the rear end daily for redness or swelling",
    "If the behavior stops within 24 hours and does not return, you may not need a visit"
   ]
  }
 ]
}

What Are Anal Glands and Why Do They Cause Scooting?

Anal glands, also called anal sacs, are two small pouches located at roughly the four o'clock and eight o'clock positions around your dog's anus. They fill with a thin, brown, strong-smelling fluid. When your dog passes a normal, firm stool, the pressure empties these sacs naturally. The fluid marks your dog's territory and communicates with other dogs.

Problems start when the sacs do not empty fully. The fluid thickens, the sacs fill up, and your dog feels pressure or itching. Your dog responds by scooting to put pressure on the area, or by licking to soothe the irritation. This is the most common reason for the behavior you are seeing.

If the sacs stay full for too long, the fluid can become infected. The area swells, becomes painful, and may form an abscess, which is a pocket of pus. An abscess can burst through the skin, creating a draining wound. This is painful and needs veterinary treatment. You may notice a sudden bad smell or a spot of blood on your floor. Do not try to pop or drain this yourself. See MSD Veterinary Manual Pet Owner Version for a plain-language explanation of anal sac disorders.

What Else Could Be Causing the Scooting?

Anal gland problems are the leading suspect, but they are not the only possibility. Intestinal parasites, especially tapeworms, can cause intense itching around the anus. Tapeworm segments look like small grains of rice. They may be visible in your dog's poop or stuck to the fur near the rear end. Your veterinarian can check a stool sample under a microscope to find parasite eggs.

Allergies are another common cause. Food allergies or environmental allergies can make your dog's skin itchy, including the skin around the anus. You might also see your dog licking their paws, scratching their ears, or developing red, inflamed skin. A skin infection from bacteria or yeast can cause the same symptoms. These conditions need a diagnosis and treatment plan, also symptom relief.

Less common causes include a foreign object stuck near the anus, such as a piece of grass or a burr, or a tumor in the anal area. Older dogs are more at risk for tumors. Any persistent scooting that does not respond to treatment should be investigated thoroughly. Your veterinarian will do a physical exam, possibly express the anal glands, and may recommend a stool test or other diagnostics.

What to Expect at the Vet Visit

Your veterinarian will start by asking you about your dog's habits. Be ready to say how often your dog scoots, when it started, and whether you have seen blood or worms. The vet will then examine your dog's rear end, checking the anal glands for size, pain, and discharge. They may express the glands manually, which means gently pressing them to release the fluid. This brings immediate relief in many cases.

If the glands are infected, the vet may flush them, prescribe medication, or recommend a course of antibiotics. The dose and type of medication depend on your dog's weight, health, and the severity of the infection. Only your veterinarian can determine the correct dose. Never give your dog a human medication for this problem. If parasites are found, your vet will prescribe a dewormer. Again, the dose must come from your veterinarian.

Most dogs feel better within a day or two of treatment. If your dog has chronic anal gland problems, your vet may discuss diet changes, fiber supplements, or weight management to help your dog produce firmer stool that empties the glands naturally. Some dogs need regular gland expression every few weeks. Your vet can show you how to recognize early signs so you can book an appointment before the problem becomes painful. For general guidance on working with your veterinarian and planning preventive care, see AAHA Pet Owner Resources.

What You Can Do at Home Right Now

If your dog is scooting and licking but otherwise eating, drinking, playing, and passing stool normally, you can take a few safe steps while you decide whether to call your vet.

First, look at the area. Gently lift your dog's tail and inspect the skin around the anus. You are looking for redness, swelling, discharge, matted fur, small white rice-like segments, or any visible wound. Use a flashlight if needed. Do this calmly and briefly. If your dog yelps, snaps, or pulls away, stop immediately and do not force the exam.

You can clean the area with a warm, damp cloth. Wipe gently from front to back, using a fresh section of cloth for each pass. Pat dry. Do not scrub. Do not use soap, shampoo, wipes with fragrance, or any human product on this sensitive skin. Plain warm water is enough.

A warm compress can bring relief if the skin looks irritated. Soak a clean washcloth in warm water, wring it out, and hold it against the area for five minutes, twice a day. Stop if your dog seems uncomfortable.

You can also distract your dog. Licking and scooting can become a habit even after the original irritation settles. A short walk, a puzzle toy, or a game of fetch can interrupt the cycle. Keep your dog busy for 15 to 20 minutes and watch whether the behavior returns.

What You Must Not Do at Home

Do not squeeze or pop your dog's anal glands yourself. This is the most important rule. The glands sit just inside the anus at roughly the four and eight o'clock positions. Without training, you can push the infection deeper, rupture the gland, or cause severe pain. A ruptured gland requires veterinary treatment and can take weeks to heal.

Do not give your dog any human pain medication. Drugs like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen are toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure or internal bleeding. Even a single tablet can be dangerous. The American Veterinary Medical Association lists poisoning as a situation that requires immediate professional care, and human medications are a common culprit. If your dog has already swallowed any human medicine, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center right away.

Do not apply creams, ointments, or sprays meant for humans. Hydrocortisone cream, hemorrhoid cream, and diaper rash products can sting, delay healing, or be harmful if your dog licks them off.

Do not try to remove a foreign object, like a piece of grass or a burr, if it is stuck in the anal area. You can push it deeper or cause a tear.

Do not wait more than 24 hours if the scooting and licking are constant, if you see blood or pus, or if your dog seems painful. These signs point to an infection or an impacted gland that needs hands-on care.

What to Write Down Before You Call

A few minutes of preparation will help your vet give you better advice. Write down these details:

• How many times per hour your dog scoots or licks. Count for one full hour.
• When it started. Was it after a walk, after a meal, or overnight?
• What your dog's stool looks like. Is it firm, soft, watery, or greasy? Have you seen any worms?
• Whether your dog has had diarrhea or constipation in the past week.
• What your dog eats, including treats and table scraps.
• Any recent changes in food, treats, or environment.
• Whether your dog has had anal gland problems before.
• Your dog's age, breed, and weight.
• Any medications or supplements your dog takes.

Also measure your dog's temperature if you know how and have a pet thermometer. Normal is about 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If you do not have a thermometer, do not guess. A vet can take one during the visit.

The Symptom Checklist

Use this table to decide how quickly to act. Print it or keep it on your phone.

What the Veterinary Visit Usually Involves

Your vet will start by asking the questions from the checklist above. Then they will examine your dog. This includes taking a temperature, feeling the abdomen, and inspecting the anal area. The vet will likely perform a rectal exam. This is quick and uncomfortable but not harmful. It lets the vet feel the anal glands, check for masses, and assess the prostate in male dogs.

If the anal glands are full but not infected, the vet may express them manually. This means gently pressing the glands to empty them. It brings immediate relief in most cases. If the glands are infected, the vet may flush them, prescribe antibiotics, or recommend a cone to stop licking. If parasites are found, the vet will prescribe a dewormer. Dosing for any medication must come from your treating veterinarian, because the right amount depends on your dog's weight, age, and health status.

Tests are not always needed. For a first episode with no other signs, a physical exam and gland expression may be enough. If the problem keeps returning, your vet may recommend bloodwork, a fecal test, allergy evaluation, or imaging. These add to the cost.

Costs vary widely by region and clinic. A simple exam with gland expression might run from 50 to 150 dollars. Adding a fecal test, bloodwork, or antibiotics can bring the total to 150 to 400 dollars or more. These are general ranges only, not quotes. Ask your clinic for an estimate before treatment begins.

When an Online Vet Can Help, and When It Cannot

Some situations in this article require hands-on care and must not be handled remotely. A suspected anal gland rupture, heavy bleeding, a dog that cannot walk, or a dog with vomiting plus scooting all need in-person emergency care. An online vet cannot stop bleeding, drain an abscess, or examine a painful abdomen. Do not use remote care for these.

Remote consultation is genuinely useful for early or mild presentations. If your dog scoots once a day, has no other signs, and you are unsure whether a visit is needed, an online vet can help you decide. They can also answer questions about a known problem, such as whether a recheck is needed after treatment, or whether a medication side effect like mild drowsiness is normal.

A remote vet can take a detailed history, watch your dog move on video, look at visible skin changes, and advise. In many states they can prescribe, but rules differ. Some states require an in-person examination before a veterinarian can prescribe certain medications. Your vet may also require a physical exam first if your dog has never been seen by that practice. An online vet cannot palpate the abdomen, listen to the chest, take a temperature, run bloodwork, or image anything. For anal gland problems, the inability to feel the glands is a real limit. Full glands feel different from infected ones, and only a hands-on exam can tell the difference. The American Veterinary Medical Association offers guidance on recognizing emergencies and working with your veterinarian, which can help you judge when remote advice is enough.

Common Mistakes Owners Make With Scooting and Licking

Many well-meaning owners try things that delay proper care or make the problem worse. Here are the most frequent errors and what to do instead.

The biggest mistake is guessing. Scooting and licking have several possible causes, and the treatment differs completely depending on the cause. A parasite needs a specific dewormer. An anal gland infection needs antibiotics and often flushing. A food allergy needs a diet change. Skin irritation needs soothing and protection. You cannot tell these apart by watching your dog, and neither can a vet without an examination.

Another common error is ignoring the licking. Owners often focus on the scooting and forget that constant licking of the bottom is equally important. Licking can mean pain, itching, or a sense of fullness in the anal area. If your dog licks their bottom for more than a few minutes at a time, treat it with the same seriousness as scooting.

How to Reduce the Chance of It Happening Again

Prevention depends on the underlying cause, but several habits help most dogs.

Keep your dog at a healthy weight. Overweight dogs carry more fat around the anal glands, which can prevent them from emptying normally. Ask your vet what a healthy body condition looks like for your specific breed and age.

Add fiber to the diet if your vet recommends it. Fiber makes stool firmer and bulkier, which helps the anal glands empty naturally as your dog poops. Good sources include plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling), cooked carrots, or a vet-approved fiber supplement. Do not add these without asking your vet first, because too much fiber causes loose stool.

Keep parasite prevention current. Many monthly heartworm preventives also cover common intestinal worms. If your dog is not on year-round prevention, talk to your vet about what your dog needs based on your local parasite risks.

Manage allergies if they are the trigger. If your vet identifies a food allergy, strict adherence to the prescribed diet is essential. One treat with the offending ingredient can restart the cycle. For environmental allergies, regular bathing and wiping paws after walks can reduce exposure.

Schedule regular anal gland checks if your dog has a history of impaction. Some dogs simply have narrow ducts or produce thick gland fluid. For these dogs, routine expression every 4 to 8 weeks at the vet clinic prevents the painful buildup that causes scooting.

What Recovery and Ongoing Management Usually Look Like

Recovery time depends entirely on the diagnosis.

For simple anal gland impaction, your vet expresses the glands during the visit. Most dogs feel relief within hours and stop scooting within a day or two. If the glands were infected, your vet may prescribe antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication. You will likely see improvement within 48 hours, but finish the full course of medication even if your dog looks better.

For intestinal parasites, treatment is usually one or two doses of a dewormer, with a follow-up stool check in 2 to 4 weeks to confirm the parasites are gone. Your dog may pass dead worms in the stool for a few days. This is expected and not a reason to panic.

For skin infections from constant licking, your vet may prescribe a topical or oral treatment. Sore skin takes 5 to 10 days to heal visibly, and the licking must stop for healing to progress. Your vet may recommend an Elizabethan collar (the cone) for a short period to give the skin a break.

For food allergies, expect a longer timeline. It can take 8 to 12 weeks on a new diet to see full improvement. During this trial, your dog must eat only the prescribed food and nothing else. No treats, no table scraps, no flavored chews.

For anal gland tumors, which are rare but possible, treatment involves surgery and sometimes additional therapy. Your vet will explain the specific plan and prognosis based on biopsy results.

Throughout recovery, keep a simple log. Note each day whether your dog scoots, licks, or seems uncomfortable. Bring this log to follow-up visits. If symptoms return after treatment, call your vet instead of waiting to see if it passes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I express my dog's anal glands at home to save money?

Home expression is risky without training. You can accidentally rupture the gland, push infection deeper, or miss a tumor that feels like a normal gland. Improper technique causes pain and can create a serious abscess that requires surgery. If your dog needs regular expression, ask your vet to show you the correct method during a visit, or schedule routine clinic appointments. Many clinics offer quick expression appointments at a modest cost. The risk of complications from home attempts far outweighs the savings.

My dog scoots once after pooping. Is that always a problem?

A single scoot immediately after pooping can be normal. Your dog may simply be cleaning the area. Watch for patterns. If it happens after every bowel movement, if it lasts more than a few seconds, or if it happens at other times of day, that is a reason to call your vet. Also watch for licking, redness, swelling, or a bad odor. These signs point to a problem that needs attention.

How often should anal glands be expressed normally?

Many dogs never need manual expression. Their glands empty naturally with each firm bowel movement. Dogs that need help typically require it every 4 to 8 weeks, but this varies widely. Your vet will tell you the right interval for your dog based on examination findings. Do not express on a fixed schedule without veterinary guidance. Over-expressing can irritate the glands and make them produce more fluid.

Will changing my dog's food stop the scooting?

Only if food is the cause. Food allergies and low fiber intake can contribute to anal gland problems, and a diet change can help in those cases. But parasites, infections, and tumors do not respond to diet changes. If you suspect a food issue, ask your vet about a prescription diet trial. Do not randomly switch foods, because abrupt changes cause digestive upset and you will not learn anything useful.

Is scooting ever a sign of cancer?

It can be, though it is uncommon. Anal gland tumors are rare but serious. They are more likely in older dogs and in certain breeds. Signs include persistent scooting, visible swelling near the anus, difficulty pooping, and blood in the stool. Your vet can feel the glands during a rectal examination and may recommend a biopsy if a mass is found. Early detection improves outcomes, so do not delay evaluation.

What should I do if my dog's bottom looks swollen or bleeds?

Swelling or bleeding around the anus needs prompt veterinary attention. Do not try to treat it at home. An abscessed anal gland can rupture and cause severe infection. Bleeding can also come from a tear, a polyp, or a tumor. Call your vet the same day. If your dog is also straining to poop, vomiting, or seems very painful, seek emergency care immediately. These signs can indicate a more serious blockage or infection.

Related Clinical & Scientific Guides

• Dog Coughing: When Is It an Emergency?
• My Dog Ate a CBD Gummy: What Should I Do?
• Cat Vomiting After Eating Too Fast: When to Slow Down and When to Call

References and Further Reading

• AVMA Emergency Care for Pets
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
• AVMA Pet Owner Resources
• MSD Veterinary Manual Pet Owner Version
• AAHA Pet Owner Resources

Related Articles

• Dog Scooting: When Is It a Vet Emergency?
• Dog Constipation: When to See a Vet
• Dog Coughing and Gagging: When to See a Vet
• Dog Diarrhea: When to See a Vet and When to Wait
• Dog Eye Redness: When to See a Vet and When to Monitor

This article is general educational information for pet owners. It is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, examination, or treatment. If your pet is showing severe or rapidly worsening signs, contact an emergency veterinary hospital immediately.