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Have you noticed your dog seems to be looking at his back end quite a bit? Does he have any other strange mannerisms or symptoms you’ve noticed? If so, he may have a medical problem or a canine mental health disorder that’s causing him to look at his rear.
We’re going to explore some of the issues that may be causing your dog to look at his back end. Before we start, we’d like to say that if you’re worried about your dog, then it’s always best to see the vet. They are the experts at dealing with many health issues in dogs!
However, we’re happy to supply some information on what could cause a dog to look at his back end.
Dogs Play with Their Tails
Many dogs, especially puppies or young adult dogs, look back at their tail. A puppy, for example, may see his tail for the first time and be very curious about that long appendage on his rear! A puppy may not even realize the tail is attached to his body at a very young age. So, he may look back at it quite a bit. He’s trying to figure out what that thing is and how to work it!
In older dogs, it’s possible they may become bored and start chasing their tail. Dogs also do this when they’re feeling playful. Chasing their tail seems to be great fun, and it’s fun to watch! If your dog notices you watching, he may become even more silly in chasing his tail! He loves the attention!
It’s also possible a dog may chase his tail if he’s angry and/or frustrated. The dog will look as if he’s whirling quickly, yet you know he’s angry. He may have been told “no” about something, such as getting his favorite treat and more. So, it’s possible your dog could simply be reacting to his frustration by chasing his tail.
Your Dog May Want to Go for a Walk
Next up on our list is that your dog may want to go for a walk. He may look at his rear end and chase his tail. This action is an indication your fur baby needs to release some pent-up energy.
So, try taking your dog for a walk or playing with him for a while in the yard. Chances are he will be worn out and happy when you come in!
It’s essential to ensure your canine companion receives plenty of exercise each day.
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Ask a Vet Live NowA Dog’s Age May Cause Him to Look at His Rear
Senior dogs can develop some new behaviors because of their age. They can develop conditions such as dog dementia. If your dog is older and has recently begun looking at his rear, then he could be experiencing a mental decline.
Dogs with some form of dog dementia begin lacking awareness of themselves and their surroundings. Some dogs may even begin chewing on their tails.
Medical Issues That Cause a Dog to Look at Their Back End
There are several medical issues that may cause a dog to look at his rear end. We’ll take a look at these issues in this section.
1.Painful Gas
A dog may stare at his backside for a few seconds before you hear a “Pfrrrttt.” The result may be a bad smell because your dog has just released gas. While this may be funny, it can also indicate a medical problem.
It’s possible the gas may be silent and you notice your dog staring at his rear before you notice the smell. This is an indication he may be having a problem with excessive, painful gas.
The gassy problem can be caused by your dog eating something he shouldn’t. Maybe he grabbed some spoiled meat out of the trash. Or he could have eaten something dead he found in the backyard. Your fur baby may have eaten something that caused him to have too much gas.
In addition, excess gas can be caused by the following conditions:
- Maldigestion
- Obesity
- Low physical activity
- Swallowed air (some dogs eat too fast)
You may also notice other symptoms, including:
- Abdominal discomfort
- Frequent farting
- “Growling” sounds come from the dog’s abdomen
If you notice these or other concerning symptoms, then it’s time to make an appointment with the vet.
2. Allergies
Many pet parents are surprised to learn that their dog may have allergies! One sign this could be a problem is when a dog looks at his back end. Your dog could have an itchy backside that’s causing him to look at his rear end!
What’s interesting is that the skin around your dog’s backend may not look irritated in any way. However, he could still have an allergy problem. On the other hand, it’s entirely possible your dog is experiencing itching and burning around his tail. If you look, the skin in this area may appear itchy, red, and irritated. This would definitely cause some soreness and pain.
Some of the same allergens can cause allergies in dogs humans are allergic to. Dogs may be allergic to pollen, flea saliva, dust mites, dander, and even their own food.
The most common food allergies in dogs are dairy, beef, lamb, and wheat.
If your dog has allergies, you may notice these symptoms:
- Inflamed, red skin
- Runny eyes, nose
- Coughing (could be caused by asthma)
- Hives
- Swelling
- Sneezing
- Diarrhea
- Itchy, reddened ears
- Excessive licking (usually an area that’s irritated—such as his tail end)
If you notice these symptoms in your dogs, it’s time for a checkup with the vet.
3. Additional Causes
A dog may look at his backend for other reasons, too, including:
- Parasites (such as tapeworms)
- Polyps
- Rectal or intestinal tumors
- Hip dysplasia (this can cause quite a bit of pain)
- And more
Summing It Up
As you can see, there are many different reasons that may cause your dog to stare at his tail. The most important thing is to notice if your fur baby has any other symptoms or acts in a way that’s concerning. These are indications it’s time to call the vet to have your dog’s health checked.
Remember, there are times when your dog is completely healthy and maybe playing with his tail! That’s OK and is normal! But if you notice anything concerning, do call the vet.
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Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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