Is your Dog Biting It's Tail? (Reasons for This Behavior) | Herepup
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Is your Dog Biting It’s Tail? (Reasons for This Behavior)

The tail is one of a dog’s most distinguishing features. Your dog may occasionally think of it as a convenient chew toy. However, if you catch your dog nipping, chewing, or biting it in a near-obsessive fashion, it could also be a distinctive clue to a potential health issue.

Why Do Dogs Bite Tails?

There are numerous reasons why your pooch may find his tail so entrancing. Boredom, anxiety, allergies and even his inherent predatory nature are all causes of this behavior, which is typically developed in the puppy stage. While it can be corrected with a bit of training, you may feel reluctant to do so if it’s an occasional activity, since the act of tail chasing that can proceed the biting can admittedly be cute.

Tail Biting Could Develop Into Something Bad

If tail biting isn't nipped in the bud, it could lead to a form of obsessive compulsive disorder. When this occurs, your dog will continue to chew on his tail until it becomes riddled with infections and bloody lacerations. In some rare cases, the resultant infections can become so bad, a dog may have to get his tail amputated.

If you catch your dog chasing or biting his tail, the best thing to do is monitor such behavior to make sure it’s not an irresistible act. If you just see it on rare occasions, it could just translate to an itch. However, it’s best that you train him if you notice the behavior is persistent.

A lot of the techniques you can deploy to stop tail chasing are done so to counteract some of the reasons why he’s biting his tail in the first place, such as boredom. For instance, you can increase his exercise regiment or provide him with mentally stimulating toys or games to stimulate his body and mind. You can also deploy basic training commands to calm him down if he's in the throes of pursuing his backside.

Make Sure It’s Not a Medical Issue

Dog Biting Tail 2

Not all instances of tail biting are due to your dog being obsessed with catching it in his mouth. It could be a sign of a wide range of medical issues. The tail biting could be something caused by an external influence, like an allergy or a flea infestation. It could also stem from something more severe issue, such as infected anal glands or a broken or fractured tail.

If you suspect that your dog’s tail biting is medical related, it’s wise to seek help from a veterinarian immediately. Your vet can perform a battery of tests to rule out various causes and to make pinpointing the actual issue easier. In some cases, your vet may order an x-ray to rule out breaks or fractures surrounding the tail area.

Depending on the actual diagnosis, you may have to provide your dog relief from tail biting through various medicines. These could be topical ointments, dewormers, or flea products that would need to be administered to your pooch as long as it’s on hand to apply or supply. In some cases, your pooch may have to wear an Elizabethan collar to help them refrain from tail chomping.

What if the Biting is Behavioral?

If you determine that your dog is medically sound and that his tail biting is behavioral in nature, don't despair. There are pet therapists that you can consult to help your pooch cope and overcome his issue. Doing so may unearth a deep-seeded problem; one in which the tail biting is judged to be symptomatic.

You shouldn’t assume this route - always go to your vet first. You should also prep yourself to be in for the long haul, as providing proper therapy takes time and effort. However, if the results culminate in your pooch ceasing to attack his tail, it’s safe to say that it’s time and effort well spent.

Be Sure to Give Your Buddy Lots of Love!

If your dog bites his tail, make sure it’s nothing medically or behaviorally concerting. If it is, show him as much love and support as you can throughout the process. He may not be able to say “thank you,” but it’s safe to assume that’s the sentiment he’ll have in his heart when all things are said and done.

Author

Laura Harris

Dr. Laura Harris is our resident dog health expert. She started to fact-check dog health-related information for HerePup during her internship and contributes since then. Her expertise is in dog nutrition, senior dog care, especially critical care medicine and internal medicine.

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 1 comments
Jennivie nava - October 25, 2019

So my dog attacks her tail before sometimes during a meal or when i give her a bone/doggy treat as if its guna beat her to it n take it from her n some days worse than others theres days u can see the blood on her tail hair n her tail is super scabbed up but i would really like to know other suggestions to figure out why is it that she does it cus unfortunately i dont have money for a vet to do a check up n X-rays. Hopefully its not her health but if its not then we have alot of training to do!

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