Your pooch suddenly twitches and checks their bum obsessively.
Hmm. Do they just love staring at their bootiful tush? Or…
Are they sensing something from behind that you can’t see?
Read on to find out:
- What makes a dog glance repeatedly at their backside.
- The other ‘weird’ things they may do while they’re on it.
- 3 useful tips on how to make them refrain from ‘looking back.’
- Whether you should be concerned about this behavior or not.
- And many more…
Table of contents
Why does my dog keep looking at their back end?
Your dog keeps looking at their back end because something is bothering them. They might have impacted anal sacs. And if these were emptied, they may feel discomfort too. Also, this could be due to constipation, excessive gas, allergies, tapeworms, growing tumors, hip dysplasia, or knee problems.
9 reasons why your dog keeps looking at their back end
#1: They have anal issues
Your pooch always stares at their bum and scoots on the ground.
This scenario may look funny. But one thing’s for sure…
Your dog’s not having fun.
They’re in great discomfort. And it could be a problem in their anal sacs.
What are those?
Think of them like two small pouches inside a canine’s rear end. These hold smelly fluids that are released when the dog poops.
And if they’re not fully emptied, those liquids will harden inside and block the glands.
But don’t fret. They can be expressed by squeezing them gently.
However, I suggest you bring your pooch to the vet asap for that process. Don’t try to do it on your own as you might injure them.
What causes this?
Usually, if the stool is firm, there wouldn’t be a problem.
But when it’s loose, draining the sacs can be difficult as there would be a much lesser force. And watery feces are often caused by a high-fat diet.
This could also be a result of:
- Smaller ducts.
- Chronic diarrhea.
- Hypersecretion of glands.
Trivia: A recent study shows that out of 104,212 canines, 4.4% have this problem. And it’s also said that the likelihood for senior dogs to get this is very high.
#2: Discomfort in their anal glands
Have their sacs been manually emptied recently?
If so, your Fido might still be irritated by it, that’s why they’re acting weird.
They may feel uncomfortable if it’s their first time having them expressed by hand. Or, their sacs were so full and needed a lot of pressure to clear the liquids.
It could also be that they were drained repeatedly. Or squeezed too hard and caused trauma.
If it’s the first one, it’ll continue for a few more days. However, if it’s the latter, have your dog checked by an expert to be sure.
Read also: 13 Reasons Why Your Dog Keeps Licking Their Base Of Tail
#3: They have painful gas
Your pooch has been staring at their backside for a while now.
And they seem to be waiting for something too.
Until… “Pfrrrtt!”
A fart with a stinky smell covers the room.
Uh-oh. Does this kind of scenario often happen in your home?
Well, gas may indeed be silent but deadly as it can also bring discomfort in your pooch when it’s too much.
But what causes excess gas in the stomach?
Food, of course.
Ingesting something spoiled, a poor and high-fat diet, and changes in meals can result in this. Oh, as well as allergies or intolerance in some products.
Aside from these, more possible reasons are:
- Obesity.
- Maldigestion.
- Low physical activities.
- Swallowed air (from eating fast).
What other symptoms to look for?
- Frequent farting.
- Abdominal discomfort.
- Rumbling sounds (from the abdomen).
Due to this, there could be some weird and painful sensations in their tummy. They may also feel if something gassy is about to come out of their rush.
#4: They’re constipated
Who doesn’t give a crap??
Well…it might be your pooch.
They could be having some poop dilemma at the moment. That’s why they feel uneasy and tend to glance at their behind.
Poor doggo.
If they’re constipated once in a while, it’s not that concerning. But if this occurs very often, it may be chronic.
Causes of constipation
- Stress.
- Dehydration.
- Low-fiber diet.
- Over-grooming.
- Not enough exercise.
Also, does your Fido love to eat non-food items? Like gravel, bones, and even garbage?
Because those could also impair digestion. So, keep those things out of their reach.
Apart from not pooping for days and dry stool, its other signs are:
- Discomfort.
- Painful pooping.
- Stool with mucus or blood.
Trivia: Did you know that gender may also play a role in digestive issues? Research finds that female dogs are more likely to get constipation and anorexia. In contrast, males will have diarrhea or vomiting.
#5: They have an allergy
“What is this…
I feel something tingling in my bum…
Oh, scratch that!”
When your pooch looks over at their back, do they also seem irritated?
Or doing any leg actions like they’re about to scratch somewhere?
If that’s the case, the part they’re checking out could be itchy. Or worse, sore and wounded.
Oh, no. It sounds painful.
What may have caused this?
The most common culprits are pollen, flea saliva, proteins, dust mites, and dander.
In food, it could be dairy, beef, lamb, or wheat.
Typical symptoms
Itching is already given. Other things to watch out for in terms of appearance are:
- Hives.
- Swelling.
- Inflamed skin.
- Runny eyes/nose.
And when it comes to behavior:
- Sneezing.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Coughing.
- Itchy ears.
- Excessive licking.
Note: Take some notes on how and when this all started. Identifying their allergen can be a pain in the neck. You can figure it out by testing which food is causing the reaction. And, of course, by bringing them to the vet.
#6: They have tapeworms
Well, this can be a long reason.
Like literally.
Because tapeworms may grow up to 11 inches (30 cm.).
OMG! And this might be making your Fido so irritated.
You’ll see them wiggling around a fresh poop like rice grains. Or sometimes, near their anus, hiding behind their fur.
Canines can get these from ingesting a flea that’s been infected by them.
And to relieve their uneasiness, adult dogs will drag their bums on the floor.
While pups may vomit, be depressed, and have a loss of appetite. And vets say this could also lead to anemia, lack of growth, and obstruction in the intestines.
So if they’re not updated with deworming, book an appointment now.
#7: They have growing polyps
Canines may also feel that something’s developing in their body.
And if they’re bothered with their behind, it could be…
Rectal tumors
According to Merck Vets, they’re usually rare. And the bigger they are, the greater the chances of them being cancerous.
Dogs who have this may suffer from diarrhea. Or have the urge to poop even if they’re unable to.
Intestinal tumors
These are growths in the lining of the intestines. And these are also uncommon.
Specialists say that 60% of the tumors can be found in the colon, rectum, or lower bowel.
There are usually multiple of them, which might cause blockage. And if they’re cancerous, they’ll spread quickly in the body.
That’s dangerous. So bring them to the vet at once if they exhibit any of these:
- Vomiting.
- Loss of appetite.
- Blood in stool/vomit.
- Having an abdominal lump.
- Either diarrhea/constipation.
#8: They have hip dysplasia
Aside from glancing at their rear, does your pooch also walk wobbly?
Oh, no. It could be due to joint pain.
This happens when the joints that make up their hip don’t fit each other. Thus, becoming unstable and causing them to swell.
At first, some dogs may not show any symptoms. But later, they might feel great pain and voice out their frustration.
This can also be inherited and lead to arthritis. And canines who are more prone to this are:
- Obese.
- Over-exercised.
- Medium and large breeds.
How about its symptoms?
- Lameness.
- Avoiding the stairs.
- Having less energy to play.
- Pain when lying down and standing up.
- ‘Bunny hops’ – hind legs stay together while running.
Can this be treated?
Sadly, no. Doggos who have this need lifelong maintenance.
Along with proper management of their weight and pain, they can live a normal life. But others may need surgery if their case is more serious.
#9: ‘Luxating patella’
Have you ever noticed your Fido skipping some steps?
Or running for a bit with one leg up?
I ask because this could also be a knee problem.
In canines, it’s located in their hind part. So it may look like they’re inspecting their back end.
Why does this happen?
When their patella or ‘kneecap’ isn’t healthy, it can be dislocated. So their knees won’t bend and the bones will rub against each other.
This might be due to an injury or an abnormality in their growth.
Usually, this isn’t serious and doesn’t need any treatment. And the joints moving out of place will only last for a few seconds. Then return to their original state.
But, there are also some cases when surgery is needed.
Its symptoms are:
- Recurrent skipping.
- Stiffness in either one or both hind legs.
Warning: If your pooch displays these behaviors, have them checked by your local vet. This may also lead to arthritis, so better prevent it from getting worse.
3 tips on what to do if your dog keeps looking at their back end
#1: Have them checked by an expert
First things first.
A trip to the clinic may get rid of your doggo’s discomfort. And bring you peace of mind as well.
There are many conditions to rule out when they often check their behind. So it’s best to consult an expert to spot other medical issues.
Why?
For impacted anal sacs: They need to be emptied. If they’re infected or turn into an ‘abscess,’ they’ll require more than that. It could be medications or surgery.
For suspected polyps and joint problems: Tests, x-rays, and body check-ups will be needed to know the right treatment plan. They might need pain relievers, therapy, or a medical procedure.
For tapeworms: Updated deworming is important. Pups need it once every month. Then the interval may become once every 2 months if they turn 3 months.
And after they reach 6 months, young dogs should still get it but less frequently. Or if a problem like this one appears.
Note: Have any questions in mind? You can also ask a vet online to help you.
#2: Keep your Fido in shape
Is your pooch a ‘doggified’ version of a couch potato?
Well, now is the time to reduce those pounds and get them moving.
Those extra weight push their swollen joints more. And their sacs have a weaker force to empty those fluids due to obesity.
Slowly, change their lifestyle. Take them for walks often. And introduce them to other activities. This would depend on their physical capacity to avoid overexerting them.
But if they don’t want to get up…
Treats may do the trick.
Make them stand up by showing some snacks. But ensure they’re both tasty and healthy.
PetMD recommends some apples, sweet potato jerkies, or chewy toys with frozen peanut butter (free of salt/sugar).
#3: ‘Back-to-basic’ diet
This goes hand in hand with weight management.
With a proper diet, your dog may achieve weight loss. And this is needed, especially when they have joint pains and anal sac disease.
The same goes for digestive problems. They’ll need healthier stools to feel better inside.
So, consider a ‘bland diet’ with extra fiber in the meantime.
It’s simply a combination of boiled rice and unsalted chicken with canned pumpkin.
Give them more water as well. And avoid food high in fat, grains, and dairy products.
Note: Discussing this with your vet will help you avoid stomach problems. And also ensure that all their needs are met with their new meal.