So, why do dogs bite their tails?

While a dog chasing its tail can be pleasurable to watch, it could mean something else when it becomes a habit. Compulsive canine behaviors like tail biting often signal potential issues. This post will cover the common reasons why dogs bite their tails and how to stop your dog from biting its tail.

Why do dogs bite their tails?

There are many reasons why dogs bite or chew their tails. If your dog is biting its tail too repetitively, he is likely not having fun. Here are common causes of canine tail biting:

1. Parasitic infestations

One of the common reasons dogs bite their tails is parasitic infections. Fleas, ticks, mites, and some internal parasites that migrate out of the rectum cause great irritation and an itching sensation that dogs cannot resist. Dogs are especially allergic to the saliva of fleas and ticks.

When the rear or tail starts itching due to infestation, your dog reacts by scratching, licking, or biting the itching spot to comfort itself and get rid of the parasite. When the infestation goes undiagnosed, your dog could bite the affected spot until it breaks its own skin.

Tapeworms and roundworms can cause discomfort around the anus, which the dog feels compelled to chew. Repeated biting or chewing can lead to whining.

Whatever the infestation, the good news is that there is a treatment to remedy it. Sprays, shampoos, treated baths, and medicated collars work well to prevent external parasite infestations. Your veterinarian can prescribe the right medications for tapeworms, roundworms, and other internal parasites that cause itching in the area surrounding the dog’s anus.

2. Allergies

Like humans, dogs can have allergies that cause their skin to be very itchy. Sometimes when you see your dog biting its tail, it could be doing so to ease discomfort caused by an allergic reaction.

While many things can cause allergies in dogs, the two primary causes are food and environmental allergens. Different foods, like poultry, wheat, potatoes, and some vegetables, as well as environmental allergens, like pollen, dust, mold, and dander, can cause allergic reactions in dogs. Some dogs can be allergic to the products the owners use.

Whatever the cause, allergic reactions are severe in puppies compared to mature dogs.

If you suspect your dog has an allergy, take him to the veterinarian and have him checked. Your veterinarian will help you identify the allergen and prescribe or recommend a mitigation measure. Proper dieting can go a long way to preventing some allergic reactions.

3. Stress and anxiety

Dogs need a lot of physical and mentally stimulating activities to build muscle and maintain good mental shape. When your dog gets bored or feels anxious, it can manifest in some destructive behaviors like tearing up your shoes, chewing your pillows, or biting its own tail to ease his condition.

Some dogs also feel anxious when new guests visit and may start chewing their tails to get your attention. If your dog doesn’t have any underlying health condition that could be causing its tail to itch, he could be stressed.

4. Impacted anal glands

Dog’s annal glands play a critical role in helping them mark their territories – they produce a strong-smelling fluid for territorial marking. If the glands do not secrete the fluid for whatever reason, they may get clogged and impacted.

Impacted anal glands can lead to severe discomfort, triggering the dog to chew the tail or around the anus to soothe the irritation.

If you suspect your dog’s anal glands are impacted or clogged, it is imperative to contact your vet immediately and have him checked.

5. Hot spots

If your dog is constantly chasing his tail and biting it repetitively, he might be having a hot spot. Simply, a hot spot is an open wound that develops due to repeated scratching or chewing. It turns out that your dog will lick, scratch, or bite it even more frequently.

Because of the exposure to elements, hot spots increase susceptibility to developing secondary infections. Interestingly, you don’t have to be super keen to notice them. Patches of matted hair, lack of hair, blood, scabs, and red, irritated skin are tell-tale signs of hot spots. If you see any of these signs, call your vet to tend to the issue before it exacerbates into something worse.

Your veterinarian will help you identify whatever is triggering the hot spots and prescribe the right medication.

6. Injured tail

Injured tails — fractures, abrasion, dislocation, or laceration — can cause a lot of pain and discomfort, and pups with long tails are more prone to tail injuries. Because dogs cannot speak out about whatever they are experiencing, your dog might want to bite the tail to ease the pain. Your dog might also bite the tail as a way to communicate to you whatever he is suffering.

Any injury can be a serious issue and requires immediate attention. This is very important because biting an already injured tail can strain the tissues and aggravate the situation. As a pet parent, be keen to notice any communication your dog is passing and work with a knowledgeable vet to address the problem.

7. Hormonal imbalance

Hormonal imbalance in dogs can trigger many reactions, one of which is tail biting or chewing. For instance, inadequate thyroid hormone and excessive cortisol increase susceptibility to skin infections, which can affect the tail area. If the tail develops bald spots, it starts itching, which can cause the dog to start biting it to soothe itself.

Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder in dogs

Whether your dog is stressed, having a skin infection, or simply seeking your attention, there are a host of symptoms to look for. If your dog is repetitively chasing, biting, or choosing its tails, here are some of the things to look for to know what is causing it to act compulsively:

• 
  Repeated scratching
• 
  High chase or prey drive
• 
  Presence of blood, pus, or matted hair due to injuries or infections
• 
  Swelling
• 
  Red, irritated skin
• 
  Unsettledness
• 
  Unusual whining
• 
  Inflammation of the skin
• 
  Gnawing
• 
  Unusual foul smell from the rear end
• 
  Scooting

The symptoms vary depending on what is troubling your dog. Whatever the underlying issue is, it is imperative to call your veterinarian or take your dog to the vet for checking. This is vitally important, considering that even small infestations or seemingly light infections can quickly get aggravated by repetitive biting or chewing.

Remedies for tail biting

First, you must identify why your dog is biting its tail. From there, you can figure out the best treatment and remedy for the problem. All the remedies are aimed at correcting the dogs’ behavior so that it stays comfortable and healthy. Generally, finding the best solution to prevent your dogs from biting tails will depend on various valid reasons. Still, the main determinant for a better solution is the underlying cause of biting.

Working in coordination with a veterinarian will help you ensure that you have determined the actual reason behind your dogs harming their tails. The vet will also help you follow the treatment and remedy steps appropriately to deal with the behavior successfully.

Here are some remedies and treatment procedures to help keep your dog from biting its tail.

1. Change the food you give to your dog

When you diagnose that your dog is suffering from allergic reactions after eating a certain meal, and it ends up biting its tail, it is essential to change the meal plan. Determine the actual foods that cause allergic reactions and remove them from the dog’s meal. With the help of your veterinarian, you can do an allergy test or a food sensitivity test to find out the exact cause of the allergy. The vet can then recommend a special meal plan and diet based on the test results. If you adhere to this plan, you will see results in a very short time. Your dog’s tail-biting behavior and skin will change when they no longer feed on meals that trigger allergies.

2. Eliminate parasites

You can easily notice your dog biting its tail when it has parasites. In this case, you will have to deal with the parasite infestation. You can easily get several treatments for ticks and fleas and try them on your dog and the dog’s bedding. Washing the bedding is another important aspect in ensuring you eradicate the fleas and other parasites that might be hiding there.

If other pets in your home are also affected by the parasites, it is important that you subject them to treatment. Otherwise, they will still spread those pesky creatures to your dog, and the bad behavior may return. Also, consider cleaning the areas where your animals sleep and the entire home if the infestation is extreme.

3. Use medication to treat the behavior

There might be a number of underlying conditions within your dog’s body that makes it bite its tail. For example, your dog might have generally dry or flaky skin, which is the reason why it bites the tail. In such a case, there is a need for oral or topical medication that will help a dog get back its normal skin.

There are times when your dog will bite its tail because of a hot spot. Administering a topical solution will help reduce the itchiness on your dog’s skin. If your dog suffers from a skin infection, antibiotics, anti-itch, and steroids will help relieve the skin, and your dog will stop biting its tail.

4. Deal with anxiety and boredom

Your dog might be biting its tail because it is bored or anxious. If your vet diagnoses anxiety and boredom as the cause of your dog’s behavior, it is important that you help the pet manage the anxiety. One of the best ways to manage stress and boredom in dogs is to ensure they get enough exercise and receive adequate mental stimulation and affection.

Generally, destructive behaviors will reduce whenever the dog feels that all its stimulation needs are met. You can also train your dog to chew and bite when allowed. Train it to only bite or chew toys, bones, or a served meal.

5. Apply a bitter spray on the dog’s tail

You can keep your dog from biting its tail by applying a bitter yet safe spray on the tail so that it will not feel comfortable when chewing. Make sure that the spray you use is not poisonous and is soft enough not to cause itchiness on the tail. You should also check to ensure the spray’s ingredients won’t cause any allergic reaction to your dog, especially when ingested. In case of allergic reactions after applying the bitter spray, you will need to find a better way to deal with the dog’s behavior. You can always try different sprays or ask your vet to recommend another effective remedy.

Conclusion: Is dog biting behavioral or an issue of concern?

Dogs give much attention to chasing, biting, and chewing their tails. While they might be having fun, sometimes it could be something different. If your dog is repetitively chasing and biting its tails, it might be afflicted by many problems, so don’t always assume it is the playful nature of pets. Dog biting becomes an issue of concern when what seemed normal behavior starts interfering with the dog’s quality of life.

Whatever the reason, if your dog is biting its tail too repetitively, it is imperative to call your vet and have the pet diagnosed immediately. Some causes of the compulsive disorder can quickly aggravate, turning to even worse situations that put your dog’s life at risk. If you are a pet parent, hopefully, this post will help address any usual dog biting.

The post Dog Biting Tail first appeared on The Quiet Dog.

If your dog shakes its head once or twice or scratches their ear once or twice, then you have nothing to be concerned about. However, if your dog shakes their head or scratches their ears a lot and vigorously, then there could be an underlying problem.

Ear Infection

If your dog is persistently shaking their head and scratching their ears, the reason could be an ear infection. Bacterial or yeast infection in the ears is a common condition that can make your dog shake their head persistently.

Bacterial and yeast infections of the ear usually affect the skin lining the inside of the ear canals. This is because the shape of the ear canal allows moisture in and traps germs. A good example is Spaniels which have a closed lid over the ear canal which provides a great environment for germs to breed.

If your dog has been shaking their head excessively, check inside the ears for swelling, discharge, or redness. If infected, then the reason why your dog is shaking their head or scratching their ears is to get rid of the discharge from the infection. They also do so to get rid of the itching.

Generally, the symptoms of ear infection are:

• 
  Bloody, brown or yellow discharge
• 
  Rubbing or pawing at the ear
• 
  Redness in the ear
• 
  Odor in the ear

If you find your dog has a bacterial or yeast infection, the best course of action is to take your dog to the vet. This is because some ear infections are too deep inside the ears to see visually. At the vet’s clinic, he will thoroughly clean your dog’s ears using a medicated cleanser. This cleanser will help to kill the yeast and bacterial infection.

After the appointment, the vet will give you a prescription ear cleaner and topical medication. This will allow you to treat the infection while at home. If the infection has already affected other areas of the skin, the vet will recommend tablets or injectable medications.

Injecting the drugs ensures they travel in the bloodstream and reach more areas of your dog’s body.

Skin Allergy

Skin allergies are among the most common conditions that lead to head shaking and ear scratching in dogs. Individual dogs can be allergic to ingredients in their food. For example, your dog is allergic to an ingredient in his food. When he consumes the food, his body will misidentify that protein as an invading microorganism.

In turn, his immune system will launch a response against it. The result will be inflammation. This is beneficial in controlling parasitism or infectious disease. In a review of more than 278 cases, researchers found the following ingredients to blame for allergies:

• 
  Beef
• 
  Dairy
• 
  Chicken
• 
  Wheat
• 
  Lamb
• 
  Egg
• 
  Corn
• 
  Soy
• 
  Rice
• 
  Pork
• 
  Fish

Most food allergies have one of the following symptoms:

• 
  Itching – localized to the face or hind end
• 
  Gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea
• 
  Ear infections

Besides food, you also have triggers in the environment such as dust, mold spores, pollen, or storage mites. Symptoms of allergies include:

• 
  Hair loss
• 
  Itchy skin
• 
  Scratching at the ears
• 
  Chewing on the feet
• 
  Head shaking
• 
  Rubbing at the face
• 
  Recurrent ear infections

To diagnose a food allergy, put your dog on a diet containing a single carbohydrate. A good example is potato or rice. You should also include a single source of protein that you’ve never fed your dog such as duck. If your dog eats the food and the symptoms disappear, then the issue was a food allergy.

When it comes to environmental allergies, it’s best to diagnose them through intradermal skin testing. However, the vet may also recommend blood testing for some dogs.

Ear Mite Infestation

Ear mite infestations are usually not as common as ear infections, especially in adult dogs. However, if your dog has an ear mite infestation, it can have similar symptoms to ear infections. You may notice:

• 
  Discharge
• 
  Swelling
• 
  Redness in the ears

Your dog may also shake their head persistently or scratch their ears to relieve the symptoms.

Ear mites in puppies and adult dogs may not be as deadly as heartworms or ticks. However, they can still make life very unpleasant for your dog. These tiny parasites usually feed on oils and wax in the dog’s ear canals. The result is scratching ears or head shaking.

Besides head shaking and ear scratching, you may notice a dark and waxy ear discharge or an unpleasant odor from the ears.

If you think ear mite infestation is the reason for head shaking, take your dog to the vet. Since the mites are very small, the vet will use an otoscope or microscope to spot the infestation. To prevent ear mites in dogs, prevention is better. However, to treat the infestation, the vet will recommend medication.

Besides giving your dog medication, keep your furry friend away from other animals with ear mites. Wash your dog’s toys and bedding in hot water. After washing your dog’s bedding, give it a turn in a tumble dryer. This will get rid of any pesky mites hanging on the fibers.

Grass Seeds

If you live in the countryside and take your dog for walks, it’s common for grass seeds to find their way down the ear canal. This is because the shape of the dog’s canal is vertical and then bends at a 90-degree angle before joining a sideways tube. Due to this design, grass seeds and other stuff can get lodged inside.

If a foreign body like grass seeds finds their way into the dog’s ear canal, take your dog to the vet. The vet will use an otoscope, a handheld torch with a funnel, and magnifying lens. Using a special pair of long-grabbing forceps, the vet will remove the grass seeds and foreign objects in the dog’s ear canal.

However, some dogs may need general anesthetic to allow the examination and removal of grass seeds and other foreign objects. Thanks to sedation, the vet can carry out the examination and removal of grass seeds safely.

After the removal of the foreign objects, the vet will recommend antibiotics and pain medications. This will help combat any bacterial infection and pain.

Water

Besides infections and infestations, your dog may be shaking his head after swimming or bathing. The reason why your dog is shaking their head is that they have water in its ears. To prevent the water from getting into your dog’s ears, use cotton balls. Before bathing your dog, avoid pouring water directly over your dog’s head.

Instead, use a damp washcloth to wash your dog’s head and face. If your dog doesn’t like having cotton balls in their ears while bathing or swimming, ask your vet for recommendations. He will advise you on products that will dry out your dog’s ears afterward.

Avoid spraying or dumping water directly on your dog’s head. Instead, bathe your dog from the neck down and wipe down his ears and face. Water clogging up the dog’s ears can result in an ear infection.

If your dog ends up with an ear infection caused by a bacteria or fungus due to water lodged in the ear, take the dog to your vet for treatment.

Remedies For Itchy Ears

The following are remedies for itchy ears in dogs.

Topical Treatments

You can find a good number of natural commercial products from your local pet supply and health food stores. These topical treatments alter the pH of your dog’s ears helping to combat bacterial and yeast infections. You can prepare a simple ear cleaner at home that will help to correct the pH and kill germs residing there.

All you need is a cup of lukewarm water and two tablespoons of one or more of:

• 
  Plantain tincture
• 
  Apple cider
• 
  Hydrogen peroxide

This mixture is useful in wiping out excess debris from the visible areas of your dog’s ears. You can use the topical treatment routinely or on an as-needed basis. Simply soak a cotton ball and gently wipe out the excess wax and buildup.

When applying the treatment, make sure that you do not push anything into the ear canal. In fact, you should not push anything beyond the visible outer folds of the ear. Doing so can cause painful damage to the delicate parts of the ear.

You also need to avoid Q tips or anything else to poke inside the ear canal. Besides the homemade topical treatment, you can also use calendula lotion or mullein oil. Calendula lotion is an excellent topical treatment that you can apply to the dog ears. Mullein oil is also an excellent treatment for basic ear infections.

Clean Your Dog

Regular cleaning of your dog’s ears is not necessary. In fact, if you leave healthy dog ears alone and not clean them will ensure the right pH level remains. However, some dogs with chronic issues will require occasional cleaning. This helps to remove wax and debris.

If using a specially formulated drying product, you can eliminate excess moisture from the ears. This is important after bathing or taking your dog swimming. If you discover minor amounts of debris in the dog’s ears, use clean and dry cotton balls. This is the best solution for maintaining dog ears that do not have a deep-seated infection or problem.

Remember, when cleaning dog ears, do not attempt to go beyond the visible areas.

Essential Oils

Another home remedy that you can prepare at home to treat your dog’s ear infection is using a combination of essential oils. Basically, you need to dilute distilled water and colloidal silver or green tea. This remedy helps to reduce inflammation and get rid of bacterial and yeast infections.

To prepare the remedy, simply add 5 drops of lavender essential oil, and 5 drops of copaiba essential oil. Then add 5 drops of frankincense essential oil, and 1 tablespoon of colloidal silver. Add the mixture to a 10-ounce spray bottle before topping it off with distilled water or cooled green tea.

Why green tea? It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that can fight the bacterial infections. To treat the infection, spray the mixture on the ear flap and folds, two to three times a day. Repeat until you resolve the ear infection.

Do not forget to clean the waxy debris before applying the home remedy. Doing so will enable you to treat the ear infection faster. After repeated applications and you notice that the infection is not going away, seek the advice of your vet.

Sweet Potato and Fish Diet

A sweet potato and fish diet can help your itchy dog. Experts recommend fish as part of a dog’s diet, especially for those with food allergies. Most dogs with food allergies are allergic to proteins found in dog foods such as beef, chicken, and turkey.

Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and can help decrease inflammation in the skin. Sweet potatoes are ideal for dogs with gluten and wheat allergies or sensitivities.

They are rich in carbs that dogs need in their diets. By adding sweet potatoes to your dog’s diet, you ensure they get the right nutrients. If you are planning on switching to the sweet potato and fish diet, we recommend salmon and sweet potatoes. We also recommend buying commercial dog food with sweet potatoes and fish.

Final Thoughts

If your dog shakes their head or scratches their ears, your furry friend could be suffering from an ear infection or infestation. To combat the bacterial and fungi affecting your dog’s ears, we recommend trying some of the home remedies above. Keep in mind that healing takes time. If the infection or infestation persists, seek the advice of your vet.

The post Dog scratching ear and shaking head first appeared on The Quiet Dog.