Biting His Tail in Dogs

At first you think your dog is being silly chasing his tail but then you realize he is biting and gnawing at the area. You try to deter him, but he goes right back to biting his tail.  There are several reasons why your dog might be biting and chewing at his tail such as:

• Impacted anal glands
• Allergies
• External parasites
• Internal parasites
• Poor hygiene
• Injured tailbone
• Behavior issues

If your dog is excessively biting on his tail, it may be an indication of a serious condition.

Impacted Anal Glands

Anal glands (anal sacs) are located on both sides of your dog’s anus. The glands produce a strong smelling fluid which is used for territorial marking. Normally, when your dog defecates it puts pressure on the glands, which causes the sacs to secrete onto the feces. If the fluid is not being expressed, the anal glands can get clogged and impacted. Impacted glands can be caused by the dog having soft stools which do not put pressure on the anal glands. The impacted glands cause the dog great discomfort.  He will bite and chew at his tail area.  Your dog may also scoot his bottom area on the floor.  The anal glands can also become infected and abscess.

Allergies

Allergies may be making your dog very itchy and causing him to bite at his tail.  Allergies may be caused by fleas,  diet or by environmental allergens. The most common food allergens are beef, dairy, corn, wheat and soy. Environmental allergens may include mold/mildew, and tree, grass and weed pollen.

External Parasites

Fleas, ticks and mites can cause great irritation and discomfort. Many dogs and cats are also allergic to the flea’s saliva, which causes the animal to experience severe itching.

Internal Parasites

Tapeworms and roundworms can cause your dog’s anus to be irritated. Tapeworms can be transmitted by a flea bite or by the dog ingesting a flea, which is carrying tapeworm eggs. Roundworms are more common in puppies, and can be transmitted to humans by contact with contaminated stool.

Poor Hygiene

Poor hygiene may be making your dog’s anal area itchy. The hair around the anus can get matted and have fecal matter (fecal mats).  This can cause the dog’s skin to get irritated and infected.  The fecal mats can also attract flies and cause a maggot infestation on your dog.

Injured Tail

A dog’s tail may be injured causing a fracture, dislocation, abrasion or laceration.  Dogs with long tails are more at risk of injuries.  An injured tail can cause a lot of pain.

Behavior Issues

Your dog may be biting at his tail due to behavior issues.  Dogs that are stressed or anxious may bite, gnaw or lick at their skin. A new pet or person in the household, fireworks, or a household move can cause a dog a great deal of stress.

A dog that is excessively biting at his tail should be seen by a veterinarian.  A veterinarian can exam your dog and run a few diagnostic tests, which will help find the underlying cause of the tail biting.

Impacted glands will be expressed by the veterinarian.  Gland abscesses may need to be lanced. Your dog will be prescribed antibiotics and pain medication.  An Elizabethan collar might need to be worn to prevent the dog from biting or licking at the area.

Allergies are commonly treated with medications. Dogs with external parasites will be treated with a flea and tick preventative medication. Internal parasites are treated with a dewormer medication.  

If x-rays confirm a fractured tail, the dog’s tail may need to be splinted. Tail abrasions or lacerations will need to be cleaned and treated with antibiotic ointment.  The tail will be bandaged and your dog will probably have to wear an Elizabethan collar.

Dogs with behavior issues might be treated with medications, or may be referred to an animal behaviorist. An animal behaviorist can observe your dog and make recommendations, which will help with bouts of stress and/or anxiety.

A diet that is high in fiber may help prevent a loose stool.  The harder stool will put more pressure on the glands and help them to secrete.

Having your dog on a flea and tick monthly preventative can prevent external parasites. Internal parasites may be prevented by regular deworming. Puppies need to be dewormed at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks of age. Adult dogs should be dewormed twice a year. 

Proper hygiene and regular grooming can help prevent matted hair and infections. 

Dogs should not be left unattended with small children.  Children sometimes can pull or step on a dog’s tail.  Hurting the dog may cause the dog to bite. To prevent an injury to the dog or to the child, the pair should not be left unsupervised.

Treatment costs of anal gland disorders may range from $75 to $500. Allergy therapy may cost up to $1,500.  Medicinal care to eliminate tapeworm or roundworm may range from $50 to $200.

Treating the conditions that cause your dog to bite their tail can be expensive. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection you’ll have from unexpected vet costs.