Dogs that bite their tails until they bleed are often suffering from medical conditions like allergies, infections, fleas, dermatitis and anal gland entrapments. Furthermore, this behavior could be stress-induced from new pets or people entering their household, fireworks or any changes that affect the routine in general.
Prioritize these issues immediately so the wound doesn’t turn into an infection that causes intense discomfort for dogs.
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Allergies
Dogs that chew their tails often, particularly at their base, may develop various skin issues and injuries that range from swelling, redness or hot spots, pain upon touch and even open wounds that bleed or become infected.
Compulsions to chew are usually accompanied by other behaviors like scooting and difficulty defecating, with infected tails often producing an unpleasant odor in the area as well as blood or pus in feces.
Pet parents seeking answers about why their dog’s tail itches may have allergies should consult with a vet as soon as possible, since allergies to food ingredients, environmental allergens such as mold and pollen, or grooming products could all play a part in itchy tail syndrome. Food ingredients, environmental allergens such as mold and pollen and grooming products could all make their animal uncomfortable; some dogs even bite at their tail until it bleeds due to these reactions; this should be addressed quickly through hygiene practices, behavior modification strategies and medications administered by veterinarians as soon as possible for optimal outcomes.
Infections
Fleas & ticks can irritate the tail area and may trigger itching, as well as creating painful open sores or wounds which bleed and may become infected with fleas and ticks. These open sores may even become infected over time.
Infected dogs tend to bite their tails compulsively. They may lick, chew on, or bite their tail until it bleeds – if this becomes a regular behavior you should consult your veterinarian immediately.
Your veterinarian will examine your dog to identify the source of its infection, possibly including physical examination, blood work or other diagnostic methods.
Vets typically prescribe treatment plans consisting of oral medication, baths, or topical creams to address infections caused by allergies, parasites, or anal gland infections. A good diet and grooming schedule will ensure your pup remains healthy while also decreasing how often he or she bites at its tail.
Impacted Anal Glands
If a dog chews its tail until it bleeds, there may be underlying issues that need to be addressed. One such issue is an anal sac impaction which causes full and infected glands, leading to bleeding in both the tail and other areas on its body. This condition is very painful and must be managed immediately for best results.
Signs of an anal gland being blocked include scooting (dragging its rear end across the ground), an unpleasant odor, and an enlarged, reddened area that feels hot to touch. If left untreated, an anal gland could rupture into an abscess – a pus-filled pocket near its anus that releases foul-smelling liquid – that emits its contents through drainage tubes into nearby tissues.
Veterinarians can perform a rectal exam on your dog to help express the anal glands and alleviate pain caused by an impaction, prescribe antibiotics and pain relievers as necessary, and recommend adding canned pumpkin or other sources of fiber-rich food into its diet.
Stress
An excessively chewing dog might be suffering from allergies, fleas and other parasites, secondary infections, hormone imbalance, stress or anxiety or even an injured tail.
Abrasions may result from contact with rough surfaces like concrete steps or wire fencing, and can easily be treated by cleansing, applying antibiotic ointment and wrapping with self-adhering wrap instead of tape to maintain blood flow.
Lacerations are more serious cuts that expose muscle and bone. To treat such wounds effectively, systemic antibiotics and pain medication will likely be necessary. If the bite wound bleeds profusely, however, you will likely need to visit a veterinarian for sutures. In addition to treating their injury, your veterinarian will address anxiety levels by providing mental and physical stimulation that reduces chewing behavior, providing mental training exercises as needed, nutritional recommendations as well as grooming products that will promote healthy skin and coat in addition to treating injuries.
