Why does my dog scoot his butt on the floor?

3 min read Updated on October 8, 2026

In shortMost of the time, because of his anal glands: two small pouches on either side of the anus that normally empty when he poops. When they stay full or get irritated, they feel uncomfortable and itchy, and he scoots for relief. Allergies, worms, fleas or poop stuck in his fur can also be the cause. One scoot after pooping is nothing to worry about; if it keeps happening, look under his tail and see your vet.

What it often means

The anal glands: a 2021 study found that anal sac problems are common in dogs, and that scooting is one of the classic signs.
Allergy itch: in dogs, allergies often make the area around the anus itchy too, not just the paws and ears.
Parasites: fleas at the base of the tail, or worms whose segments look like grains of rice near the anus.
Simple discomfort: poop stuck in the fur, irritating diarrhea, matted fur on a long-haired dog, or skin clipped too close at the groomer.
More rarely, an anal gland abscess, a wound or a lump near the anus, especially in older dogs.

Signals to read at the same time

Under the tail: redness, swelling on one side of the anus, discharge, crusts, or poop stuck in the fur.
The smell: a strong fishy odor, on him or where he scooted, points to the anal glands.
Other behaviors: he whips around to look at his rear, licks under his tail, or chases his tail.
His stools: soft for a while, with blood or white specks, or unusual straining.
How often: once after pooping, or several times a day for several days.

What you can do

Look under his tail in good light, and gently clean the area with a warm, damp cloth if poop is stuck there.
On a long-haired dog, have the fur around the anus trimmed so nothing gets caught in it.
Keep deworming and flea prevention up to date, following your vet’s plan.
Aim for firm stools, which press on the glands on the way out, and a healthy weight. Talk about his diet with your vet if his stools are often soft.
Do not express the glands yourself unless your vet has shown you how: done wrong, it hurts and can injure them.

When to see a vet

See a vet if the scooting lasts more than a day or two, if he constantly licks or nibbles under his tail, if there is a lingering fishy smell, a red or swollen lump beside the anus, blood or pus, if he is in pain when sitting or pooping, or if you see rice-like segments near the anus. Full or infected glands, an abscess, worms, fleas or allergies are the usual causes. A swollen gland can abscess and burst: do not wait.

Frequently asked questions

Should my dog’s anal glands be expressed regularly?

No, not as a routine. Most dogs empty them on their own when they poop, and expressing them for no reason does nothing useful. Some dogs prone to repeat problems do need regular help: that is your vet’s call, and your vet can show you how if it is worthwhile.

Why does my dog smell like fish?

Anal gland fluid has a strong fishy smell. A badly frightened dog can empty his glands all at once, at the vet for example: that is normal. A smell that keeps coming back, or that comes with scooting, means glands that are not emptying well.

Does my dog have worms?

Possibly, especially if he has fleas: he swallows some while grooming and can pick up a tapeworm whose segments look like grains of rice. But the anal glands remain the first thing to check. A suitable dewormer and flea control, chosen with your vet, settle the parasite question.

Is scooting after pooping the same as kicking the ground?

No. Kicking the ground with the back legs after pooping is normal marking. Dragging his butt while sitting, pulling himself along with his front legs, is a sign of discomfort. One drag to clean himself is not serious; if it keeps happening, take a look.

Sources

The studies this page relies on, with a link to the original publication.

Corbee et al. (2021). A cross-sectional study on canine and feline anal sac disease. Animals.Anal sac problems are common in dogs, and scooting is one of the classic signs.

Mimo reads behavior. It does not replace a vet.