Dog Scooting: Anal Gland Issues, Worms & Other Causes

Why Dogs Scoot

Scooting — when a dog drags their bottom along the ground in a seated position — is not a behavioral quirk. It is a physical response to discomfort, irritation, or pain in the perianal region. The most common causes, in order of frequency, are:

Cause #1: Anal Gland Problems

Anal gland issues are the number one cause of scooting in dogs, accounting for the vast majority of cases. Understanding how these glands work is key to understanding the problem.

How Anal Glands Work

Dogs have two small, grape-sized glands (also called anal sacs) located just inside the anus, at approximately the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions. These glands produce a thin, oily, strongly odorous fluid that is unique to each dog — essentially your dog's personal scent signature. In normal function, a small amount of this fluid is expressed (squeezed out) naturally every time your dog has a firm bowel movement. The pressure of the stool passing by the glands pushes the fluid out through tiny ducts that open just inside the anal opening.

This is why dogs sniff each other's rear ends — they are reading each other's “scent business cards.” It is also why dogs sometimes leave a particularly pungent fishy smell when they are frightened or excited, as the glands can empty reflexively under stress.

What Goes Wrong

Problems arise when the anal glands do not empty properly. This can happen for several reasons:

• Soft stool — if your dog's stool is consistently soft, it does not create enough pressure on the glands during defecation. Without regular emptying, the fluid builds up.
• Obesity — excess fat in the perianal area changes the position and compression dynamics of the glands.
• Anatomical variation — some dogs, particularly small breeds, have anal gland ducts that are positioned or angled in a way that impedes natural drainage.
• Chronic skin conditions and allergies — inflammation and swelling in the perianal area can narrow or block the ducts.

When the glands do not empty, the retained fluid thickens and the glands become impacted. This causes pressure, discomfort, and that telltale scooting behavior. If the impacted glands are not addressed, they can become infected (anal sacculitis), and if an infection is left untreated, it can progress to an abscess — a painful, swollen pocket of pus that may rupture through the skin near the anus, creating a draining wound.

Signs of Anal Gland Problems

• Scooting (the most obvious sign)
• Excessive licking or biting at the rear end or tail base
• A strong, fishy or metallic smell from the back end
• Straining or discomfort during bowel movements
• Swelling or redness on one or both sides of the anus
• Reluctance to sit or sitting abnormally
• A visible, bloody or purulent (pus-filled) discharge near the anus (signs of abscess)
• Chasing or suddenly looking at the tail as if startled

Anal Gland Expression

If your dog's anal glands are impacted, they need to be manually expressed (emptied). There are two methods:

• External expression — applying gentle pressure on the outside of the glands through the skin. This is the method groomers typically use and works for mildly full glands.
• Internal expression — a gloved finger is inserted into the rectum to directly compress each gland from the inside. This is more thorough and is the method veterinarians and vet techs use. It is the preferred method for significantly impacted or thickened anal gland secretions.

Important: While some owners learn to express their dog's anal glands at home, it is generally recommended to have a veterinarian or trained groomer perform the procedure, especially the first few times. Improper technique can damage the delicate glands and ducts, potentially causing inflammation or rupture. Over-expression (expressing glands too frequently when they do not need it) can also cause irritation and may actually worsen the problem by creating scar tissue.

Cause #2: Intestinal Worms

Tapeworms are the most common parasitic cause of scooting. When tapeworms mature in the dog's intestine, they shed segments called proglottids that migrate out through the anus. These segments look like small, flat, white or cream-colored pieces of rice and can often be seen on the fur around the anus, in the stool, or on the dog's bedding. As the proglottids emerge, they cause itching and irritation that drives the dog to scoot.

Other intestinal parasites — including roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms — can also cause perianal irritation, though they are less commonly associated with scooting than tapeworms. Dogs get tapeworms most commonly by ingesting an infected flea during grooming, which is why flea control and deworming go hand-in-hand.

Cause #3: Allergies

Both environmental allergies (atopic dermatitis) and food allergies can cause itching in the perianal area. Allergic dogs often have inflammation of the skin around the anus and in the groin, leading to scooting, licking, and rubbing. If your dog scoots seasonally (worse in spring and fall) or has concurrent itchy ears, paws, and skin, allergies may be the primary cause.

Food allergies in particular can cause both soft stool (which leads to anal gland issues) and direct perianal inflammation, creating a double trigger for scooting. Common food allergens in dogs include beef, chicken, dairy, wheat, and soy.

Cause #4: Skin Irritation and Infection

Several skin conditions can cause perianal irritation that leads to scooting:

• Perianal fistulas (furunculosis) — deep, ulcerating tunnels in the skin around the anus. Most common in German Shepherds and Irish Setters. These are painful, chronic, and require veterinary treatment.
• Clipper burn or grooming irritation — if the area around the anus was recently clipped (during grooming), razor burn can cause itching and scooting for a few days.
• Fecal contamination — soft stool or diarrhea that sticks to the fur around the anus can cause skin irritation and bacterial infection. Long-haired dogs are particularly susceptible.
• Contact dermatitis — sitting on chemically treated surfaces, fertilized grass, or rough materials can irritate the perianal skin.
• Yeast or bacterial skin infections — secondary infections in the skin folds around the anus cause itching and discomfort.

Cause #5: Rectal or Perianal Growths

Less commonly, scooting can be caused by growths in or around the rectum or anus:

• Perianal adenomas — benign tumors of the glands surrounding the anus, most common in unneutered male dogs. They are hormone-dependent and often resolve or shrink after neutering.
• Perianal adenocarcinomas — the malignant counterpart, which can occur in both males and females regardless of neuter status.
• Anal sac tumors — tumors arising from the anal glands themselves, which can elevate blood calcium levels and cause increased thirst and urination as a systemic effect.
• Rectal polyps — benign growths inside the rectum that can cause irritation, bleeding, and scooting.

When to See the Vet

Schedule a veterinary visit if:

• Scooting persists for more than 2–3 days
• You see swelling, redness, or a visible lump near the anus
• There is blood on the stool, on the ground after scooting, or around the anus
• You notice a foul smell, discharge, or open wound near the anus
• Your dog is straining to defecate or appears painful
• You see white, rice-like segments in the stool or around the anus (tapeworms)
• Your dog is licking the rear obsessively despite no visible cause
• Scooting recurs frequently, even if each episode is brief

Seek urgent care if you notice a hot, swollen, red, or draining area next to the anus. This likely indicates an anal gland abscess, which requires prompt veterinary treatment including drainage, flushing, antibiotics, and pain management. A ruptured abscess is extremely painful and, without treatment, can lead to systemic infection.

Home Care

For mild, occasional scooting with no other symptoms, you can try these steps:

1. Keep the area clean — gently clean around the anus with a warm, damp cloth. For dogs with long fur, keep the hair trimmed short around the rear to prevent fecal buildup and improve hygiene.
2. Check for visible worms — examine your dog's stool and the fur around the anus for rice-like tapeworm segments. If you find them, your dog needs deworming medication from your vet.
3. Increase dietary fiber — firmer stools promote natural anal gland expression. Adding plain canned pumpkin (1 tablespoon per 20 pounds of body weight) to your dog's food can bulk up the stool. Some vets also recommend psyllium husk fiber supplements.
4. Apply a warm compress — for mild anal gland fullness, a warm (not hot) compress held against the area for 5–10 minutes, 2–3 times daily, can help soften the gland contents and encourage drainage.
5. Do not attempt to express the glands yourself if you have not been trained — incorrect technique can cause injury, pain, and worsening of the problem.

Prevention

While some dogs are simply prone to anal gland issues due to their anatomy, these steps can significantly reduce the frequency of scooting and anal gland problems:

• Feed a high-quality, high-fiber diet — firm, well-formed stools are the single most important factor in natural anal gland expression. Avoid foods that cause soft stool in your dog.
• Maintain a healthy weight — overweight dogs have significantly higher rates of anal gland impaction. Work with your vet on a weight management plan if needed.
• Regular exercise — physical activity promotes healthy bowel motility and firm stools.
• Year-round flea prevention — since fleas are the primary vector for tapeworms, preventing fleas prevents one of the top causes of scooting.
• Regular deworming — follow your vet's recommended parasite prevention protocol.
• Scheduled anal gland checks — if your dog has a history of anal gland problems, have your vet check the glands at every visit. Some dogs benefit from routine expression every 4–8 weeks.
• Manage allergies — if allergies are contributing to perianal irritation, working with your vet to control the allergies will reduce scooting.
• Keep the rear end groomed — for long-haired breeds, regular sanitary trims keep the perianal area clean and dry.
• Add omega-3 fatty acids — fish oil supplements can help improve anal gland secretion quality and reduce inflammation. Ask your vet for the appropriate dose for your dog's weight.

Breeds Prone to Anal Gland Problems

While any dog can develop anal gland issues, certain breeds are significantly more prone:

• Small breeds — Chihuahuas, Toy Poodles, Miniature Poodles, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, and Dachshunds have disproportionately high rates of anal gland problems.
• Cocker Spaniels — one of the breeds most commonly affected.
• Basset Hounds — their body shape and skin type contribute to anal gland issues.
• Beagles — another frequently affected breed.
• Bulldogs (English and French) — their compact body type and often soft stools contribute to the problem.

If you own one of these breeds, proactive monitoring and preventive measures are especially important.

The Bottom Line

Scooting is uncomfortable and always has an underlying cause. Anal gland problems are the most common explanation, but worms, allergies, skin infections, and less common conditions should also be considered. Occasional scooting after a bowel movement is rarely cause for alarm, but persistent, repeated, or worsening scooting — especially when accompanied by swelling, discharge, blood, or a foul odor — requires veterinary attention. With proper diet, weight management, and parasite control, many dogs can avoid becoming chronic scooters altogether.

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