Dog Anus Irritation After Grooming

Are you wondering what’s going on with your dog who is excessively licking his anus after grooming? Dog grooming is always an intrusive experience and it may lead to irritation around the anal area. The anus irritation can arise from as simple as just discomfort to a more serious issue.

Dogs mostly relieve the anus irritation by licking the area trying to get comfort. However, the irritation can be because by multiple reasons after grooming and may need vet assistance. Keep reading below to investigate and solve the anal irritation in your furry friends.

Signs of Irritated Anal Region in Dogs

Below are some signs that help you to identify if your dog is experiencing anything abnormal in the anal region.

• Swelling, redness, & itching in the perianal and anal area.
• Circling and trying to chase and bite the tail and anal region.
• Excessive licking on the anal region and making crying noises.
• Dragging the back across the floor (Dog Scooting).
• Bleeding or abnormal discharge from or around the anus in dogs.
• Change in poop color, odor, texture, or frequency.

Reasons of Dog Anus Irritation After Grooming

A dog licking his anus in irritation is not a good sight to see. It signifies that something must be bothering your dog around the site. There are multiple causes of anal irritation in dogs and every one of them needs special care and attention to resolve.

Blocked Anal Glands & Anal Sacculitis

Anal glands are a pair of oily secretion-producing glands located around the dog’s anus. These glands have a duct that opens directly into the anal opening. The duct can get blocked by the fecal matter or when the dog is not groomed for a long time leading to irritation.

You may have heard the term ‘dog scooting’ which is an act of a dog rubbing his anus on the floor. One of the fundamental procedures in grooming is anal gland expression and cleaning. Failure to do this practice during grooming will result in anus irritation and scooting in dogs.

Blocked anal glands are the top differential option when it comes to anus irritation after grooming. The blocked ducts are unable to empty the glands’ secretions and the whole area stays irritated. If the condition persists, a serious infection known as anal Sacculitis develops.

The solution to Anal Gland Impaction

Take the dog to a certified veterinarian for proper checkup and expressing anal glands. Expressing the anal glands at home is highly risky and discouraged in veterinary practice. Let your vet have a look at the problem and clean the anal glands professionally.

Stressful & Incomplete Grooming

Not all dogs like grooming, especially if they didn’t experience the grooming session at a young age. This will leave your dog stressed and he might show abnormal behaviors such as excessive anal licking. Such behavior also arises in the case of excessive hair trimming in long-coated breeds.

Sometimes, the groomers are unable to do the grooming professionally. Any residual fecal matter on the anal region can irritate and bring discomfort to the dog. The dog, in an attempt to remove the matter, may show excessive licking.

What’s the Solution?

Inspect the anal area closely and look for any debris on the anal sphincter of the dogs. Wash the area once more with lukewarm water and clean it with a gentle towel. Talk to your veterinarian about how to manage stressful situations in dogs.

Skin Irritating Grooming Products

There is a structural difference between the anus and the rest of the skin in dogs. The perianal region is more sensitive and can get irritated easily. The application of shampoos that are not dog-friendly will irritate the anal skin and cause allergy and redness. Similarly, a small nick on the anus from a trimmer blade can cause tissue swelling and inflammation.

Most of the vets always recommend the grooming shampoos your dog is already accustomed to. Using new shampoos and grooming products that are not tested on your dog will cause itching and allergies. In return, the dog’s perianal region will stay irritated and your fur baby will continue to lick it to alleviate the itching.

What’s the Solution?

Always use the veterinarian-recommended dog shampoo and other products. Don’t use any human shampoos or skin care products on your dog. Take the dog to a vet in case of an allergic reaction for appropriate topical & systemic medications.

Gastrointestinal Parasitism & Microbial Infections

Apart from the problems that arise, dog anal irritation can also come from underlying issues. Intestinal parasites and infections usually irritate and also change the stool’s appearance in dogs.

Your dog might be facing yeast or bacterial infection around the anus leading to discomfort. In that case, maintain the deworming record of your furry friend and get him checked by a veterinarian to resolve anal yeast and bacterial infections.

Conclusion

Several abnormal conditions such as anal gland issues, improper grooming & infections can cause anal irritation in dogs. It is best to resolve the problem as soon as possible to avoid complications. Always talk to your vet before administering any medication for anus irritation in dogs.