Why Is My Dog Licking and Biting His Butt? Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered

You should get this assessed by a vet as soon as possible in order to identify and treat the cause of his pain. Anal gland infections and abscesses are a common cause and require pain relief, antibiotics and wound management. An E-collar would help to prevent him doing further damage in the meantime, as well as a small amount of nappy rash ointment.

Hello, sorry to hear about Fufu. It can vary, but some causes may include full or impacted anal glands, parasites, or even allergies. In male dogs that are not castrated, perineal hernias or even small hormone stimulated masses around his anus may arise. I would recommend having Fufu's anal glands and perineal region evaluated by his primary care veterinarian to ensure he does not have any of the above. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Anal glands are located right inside the rectum. Normally they are expressed when a dog deficates but occasionally they become over-full and need to be manually expressed by a trained professional. The glands can also become infected and abscess which is a more serious condition. Other causes of excessive licking in this area include itch from allergies or intestinal parasites like tapeworms. I would recommend having your dog checked out by your vet so the exact problem can be determined and treated appropriately.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Puku. There are several reasons that a dog will lick its anus. If he has an intestinal infection such as parasites, this will cause itching. If he needs his anal glands expressed, this will cause him to lick and scoot on his bottom. The anal glands are small sacs that sit just under the skin on either side of the anus. They express a fluid each time the dog defecates to mark its scent. They can become clogged or infected causing the pet discomfort. The last common scenario is ulcers or an irritation to the skin around the anus. You will likey need to schedule a veterinary appointment to have him evaluated. I hope this information helps!

Why is my dog licking and biting his butt? Should I be concerned?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered

Why Is My Dog Licking and Biting His Butt?

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5 Answers

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Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA 103

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on September 4th, 2016

Poor Tank! There are a number of problems that could cause this behavior. He may have a skin problem causing him to be itchy, such as [fleas](https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-check-your-pet-for-fleas-and-ticks), [allergies](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/canine-allergies/), a bacterial or fungal skin infection, or skin mites ([mange](https://www.petcoach.co/article/what-is-mange-in-pets)). He could also have a problem with his [anal glands](https://www.petcoach.co/article/anal-glands-sacs-impactions-infections-abscesses-in-dogs), which are located on either side of the rectum and sometimes become overly full or infected. I would recommend having him examined by a veterinarian as soon as you are able. He or she can check the anal glands and also do some simple skin tests, if needed, to determine the problem and get him started on the appropriate treatment. In the meantime, place an e-collar (cone) on him to prevent licking.

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Why is my dog licking and biting his butt? Should I be concerned?

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