There is one particular behavior in dogs that you should start paying close attention to immediately: it’s called sledding.
This does not mean that your dog is actually pulling a sled, but that something is bothering him in the anal area.
What is behind it all, if your Dog slips on the buttocksthe following guide tells you.
In a nutshell: Why is my dog slipping on his bottom?
When your dog’s bottom slides across the floor Among other things, an anal gland inflammation can be behind it.
A worm infestation can also lead to this behavior. If your dog slips on his pro despite being wormed, it may be because he is trying to get rid of the worms on his bum.
To stop the itch or relieve any pain, your dog will behave in a funny way for your eyes and slide on his butt.
Dog slips on bottom – 6 causes
If your dog slips on its buttocks, the most common causes are inflammation of the anal glands and an acute worm infestation or giardia infestation.
Also can different allergies, for example due to incompatible food or contact with a foreign bodylead to sledding.
In addition, there is the so-called Inflammatory Bowel Disease/IBD, which is often only recognized at a very late stage. Digestive disorders can also lead to sledding.
Let’s take a closer look at what exactly the individual causes mean and what triggers them in turn.
Blockage/inflammation of the anal glands
The anal glands are glands that lie to the right and left of the anus. They secrete a secretion in the faeces with each bowel movement.
However, a poor diet can lead to a blockage of the anal glands.
The secretion is no longer excreted, but collects in the glands. In many cases, this can lead to inflammation.
It is also possible that cysts form, in which the secretion collects and from which it also leaks.
Clogged and inflamed anal glands not only cause the dog unpleasant itching, but also pain.
Sledding is supposed to relieve these symptoms, but it actually makes the condition worse.
Does your dog suffer from a worm infestation and then you see your dog keeps slipping on his bottom despite a wormer? Even then, the anal glands can be the trigger.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease/IBD
Inflammatory bowel disease/IBD is chronic intestinal inflammation.
This causes soft faeces or even diarrhea at regular intervals. The dog’s butt gets sore from frequent defecating, and sledding is one of the consequences.
In addition, the dog tends to lick its anus more often.
indigestion
Digestive disorders in dogs can be triggered by a wide variety of things – including food, parasites or stress.
Experts speak of the resulting sledding as so-called perianal pruritus.
This means nothing more than an itch that extends from the base of the tail to the anus to the genitals.
Frequent licking and sledding are some of the reactions a dog will then show.
worm infestation
Most worms that plague a dog lodge in the animal’s intestines and are usually excreted in the feces.
It can also happen that the worms are still half stuck in the anus and cause itching.
If your dog slides its bottom over the carpet or another surface, it is trying to get rid of the worms for good.
Is your dog slipping on his bottom after a bowel movement? In this case, this sight is nothing unusual.
giardia
These protozoa are among the particularly stubborn endoparasites that can infest a dog.
Among other things, they trigger slimy and sometimes bloody diarrhea and sledding can also be a consequence.
If they are not recognized and treated in time, it is likely that a Giardia infestation will repeat itself at regular intervals and maybe affect you too.
allergy
In many cases, the wrong food is the cause of intolerance. These, in turn, can cause a wide variety of symptoms and diseases.
Among other things, the intestine is affected, which cannot cope with certain feed ingredients.
Consequences can include constipation and diarrhea. The latter in particular ensures that the dog’s sensitive buttocks quickly become sore and painful.
Is your dog slipping on his bottom after a bowel movement? Then an allergy could well be the reason for it.
In addition, contact with a foreign body can also trigger an allergy and an itch. For example, when your dog gets stuck in nettles.
Important
If you find that your dog is suffering from diarrhea, you should go to the vet after 2 days at the latest to get to the bottom of the cause.
Dog slips on bottom – diagnosis & treatment at the vet
Your dog slips on his bottom? Then it can be very useful Have your vet find out the cause.
Because the triggers mentioned are definitely not a fun event for your dog.
Do you suspect that a worm infestation or Giardia is behind the sledding?
For example, because your dog is losing weight and has diarrhea despite an increased appetite?
Then you should collect his droppings over a total of 3 days and take him to the vet right away.
By examining the faeces, he can then determine whether worms or perhaps Giardia have triggered the sledging.
If the anal glands are blocked or even inflamed, you will probably notice it yourself.
Because the secreted secretion really stinks to high heaven. There may also be a bright red layer of blood on the dog faeces.
If the vet confirms the suspicion, the anal glands are expressed and cleaned under a light local anesthetic.
In some cases, an antibiotic may be given as a follow-up therapy, as this can also help fight the inflammation and possible parasites.
If IBD is suspected, the dog must be fed a special diet in the future.
If this chronic intestinal inflammation is not treated properly, it can lead to the so-called leaky gut syndrome in the long term.
The intestinal walls become thinner and more permeable, the dog loses muscle mass on its hind legs and becomes thinner overall.
If it is a food intolerance, the diagnosis is a little more difficult.
Among other things, blood and allergy tests can be carried out here, which, however, involve quite high costs.
In addition, a necessary feed change takes time and patience and unfortunately cannot be done from one day to the next.
Dog sledding – How can I support my dog?
Tobogganing + dog = home remedies possible? In some cases, you can actually help your dog with a «sledding dog home remedy.»
Suitable here are, among other things, means that support a healthy intestinal flora and, if necessary, also help against or prevent worm infestation.
The first step that can help – as long as worms or Giardia have not really set the trigger – is a probiotic that cleans up the intestines in the long term.
Additionally, natural sources of fiber can help rebalance your dog’s gut.
Flea and linseed as well as feed cellulose are suitable here. This strengthens the intestinal walls and intestinal flora.
Good to know
Coconut flakes and oil also help against Giardia and worms, which can tackle these parasites thanks to the lauric acid they contain.
Conclusion
Your dog slips on his bottom? Then are often the anal glands, worms or an allergy to blame.
A visit to the veterinarian makes sense – especially when chronic intestinal inflammation is the reason.
Would you like to support your dog so that it doesn’t constantly slide across the floor with its buttocks?
Then you can contribute to a healthy intestinal flora with a probiotic or with natural sources of fiber such as flaxseed.
Does your dog slip on his bottom too? Then we would be happy if you share your story with us in the comments – gladly with one or the other helpful tip. 😊