Puppy scooting or itchy around the bottom
A puppy scooting along the floor, licking at their bottom or generally seeming itchy back there is a common complaint and usually has a straightforward, treatable cause. It is not something to diagnose yourself from a description, but most of the time it is down to a small number of well-known culprits that your vet can identify quickly.
Usually not urgent
This is common and often manageable at home — but see a vet if it persists, gets worse, or comes with other changes.
What commonly causes it
Full or irritated anal glands are one of the most frequent reasons a puppy scoots or licks at their bottom, particularly in smaller breeds whose glands do not always empty naturally as they should. Worms are another common cause, especially in younger puppies who have not been wormed recently, and can cause enough irritation around the anus to trigger scooting or licking.
Skin irritation from loose or soft stools, allergies affecting the skin more generally, or a simple case of stool residue stuck in the fur can all cause the same behaviour, which is exactly why it needs a proper look rather than a guess from the symptom alone.
What it commonly looks like
Scooting — dragging the bottom along the ground — is one of the more obvious signs, alongside excessive licking or chewing at the area, a strong or unusual smell, or visible redness and irritation on the skin around the anus. Some puppies will also chase or bite at their own tail or back end as part of the same discomfort.
You might also notice small pale segments in their stool or around their bottom, which can point towards worms, or a change in stool consistency that suggests a digestive upset is contributing to the irritation.
Warning signs that need prompt attention
A visibly swollen, red or painful area, a strong discharge, blood, or a puppy who seems distressed or is off their food alongside the scooting all point towards something that needs looking at sooner rather than later, rather than waiting to see if it settles.
A hard swelling near the anus, or scooting combined with straining to pass stool, can occasionally indicate an anal gland abscess or a blockage, both of which are uncomfortable for a puppy and should be seen promptly rather than managed at home.
When to see a vet
Any puppy scooting or licking persistently for more than a day or two, showing visible irritation, or with any of the warning signs above should be seen by a vet rather than treated with a guess at home. Anal gland problems in particular usually need a vet or trained groomer to resolve properly and are not something to attempt yourself.
Because worms are such a common and easily treated cause, your vet may also want to check your puppy's worming schedule is up to date as a routine first step, alongside a physical examination of the area itself.
What can help alongside veterinary care
Keeping the fur around your puppy's bottom clean and trimmed short can reduce irritation from stool sticking to the coat, and gentle, fragrance-free cleaning wipes designed for pets are a useful everyday tool for this rather than anything scented for humans.
Staying on top of a regular worming routine, agreed with your vet, is one of the simplest ways to reduce how often this kind of irritation comes up at all in a young puppy.
Reducing how often it happens
A consistent, vet-agreed worming schedule is the single most useful habit for cutting down on parasite-related irritation, and it is worth confirming your puppy's schedule is fully up to date rather than assuming a single early treatment covers them for good.
Keeping your puppy at a healthy weight also plays a part, since carrying extra weight can make it harder for a dog to reach and groom themselves properly around their back end, and can make anal glands less likely to empty naturally on their own during normal toileting.
A consistent, good-quality diet that produces firm, well-formed stools tends to support anal gland health too, since very soft or loose stools do not apply the same natural pressure that helps the glands empty as they should. If your puppy has ongoing soft stools alongside the scooting, that combination is worth mentioning to your vet as one connected picture rather than two separate issues.
What can help
Things we stock that owners commonly use alongside a vet’s advice — not a substitute for it.
Reusable Washable Puppy Training Pad
A quilted, machine-washable training pad that absorbs accidents and locks in moisture with a leak-resistant base. Reusable for puppy toilet training and senior dogs, in several bone and paw prints.
From£7.99
Leucillin Antiseptic Skincare Spray for Cats & Dogs
A versatile, alcohol-free antiseptic spray that cleans, soothes, and helps protect your pet's skin from bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
From£16.49
Absorbent Cotton Gauze Swabs for Pets – Pack of 100
Highly absorbent, low-lint cotton gauze swabs produced in clean conditions — a practical first-aid essential available in three size and ply combinations.
From£4.49
MPS Medical PetS Boot – Waterproof Paw Protector
A vet-recommended waterproof boot that keeps bandages, dressings, and casts dry during walks and wet weather.
£30.49
Common questions
- Is it normal for puppies to scoot sometimes?
- The odd instance is common and often resolves on its own, but frequent or persistent scooting is not something to treat as normal and is worth a vet visit to identify the actual cause, whether that is anal glands, worms or something else.
- Can worms cause a puppy to scoot?
- Yes, worms are one of the more common causes, particularly in puppies who have not been recently wormed. Your vet can check for this quickly, and keeping a regular worming schedule is an easy way to reduce the risk.
- Do I need to express my puppy's anal glands myself?
- No, this should be done by a vet or an experienced groomer rather than attempted at home. Done incorrectly it can cause pain or injury, and a vet can also check whether the glands are simply full or actually inflamed or infected.
- How long should I wait before seeing a vet?
- If scooting or licking continues for more than a day or two, or you notice any redness, swelling, discharge or blood, see a vet rather than waiting further. Prompt attention is more comfortable for your puppy and usually simpler to resolve.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.