Why is my dog's tail down and he keeps nibbling it uncomfortably?

The most common things that could cause this behavior are flea bites around the back or tail, anal sacs that are full and itchy or infected, or a tail injury. You can check for fleas by combing the fur with a fine tooth comb. If you see fleas on the comb then give a bath and apply a flea prevention product. If you see him scooting I recommend your veterinarian express the anal sacs to empty the fluid and see if there is an anal sac infection. You can feel his tail and if there is a tail injury there will be one area that is more sensitive. Usually tail injuries will heal without treatment over a few days. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Savage.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a general sign of discomfort. If this continues, I recommend you check in with your veterinarian for a physical examination to make sure that there is nothing really wrong with him. Hopefully it is just an isolated episode. Good luck and have a great day!

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach, and thank you for the pictures! The lower back/base of the tail is a classic area for a flea infestation. Fleas make dogs incredibly itchy, causing them to bite or scratch at the area, and cause hair loss. This area can get very sensitive and painful to dogs. I recommend bringing Nala to your veterinarian at their next available appointment to have her examined. Your vet can do a test to check for fleas, and can perform a skin scrape to see if there are any other external parasites such as mites or lice, or a secondary bacterial infection, that may be contributing to her itching. Nala should be on a consistent flea and tick preventative that can be purchased from your veterinarian. We do NOT recommend using flea and tick products that can be purchased from a food or pet store, as these are not safe or effective for use in dogs. There are no effective "natural" or holistic flea and tick preventatives, either. I hope this is helpful - best of luck with Nala!

It's possible he has some sensitivity or discomfort. It could be associated with the bath or completely unrelated. Monitor him for lethargy, restless or sensitivity around his back end. Look him over for obvious signs or injury such as bruising or swelling. If you notice anything or if he develops any of these symptoms, have him examined by your veterinarian.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Dan. He could be holding his tail down because he has pain in his lower back or hips. Holding his head down slightly can also be a sign of spinal pain. I recommend resting him for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take him out to toilet on a leash, and bring him right back in when he's done. If he still appears painful after this time, then I would take him into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. He may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give him any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. I hope this helps!

Two causes come to mind: 1) Hachi picked up fleas at the groomers and now they are congregating in the tail area and are biting him. Check the base of the tail for fleas and fea dirt and use a flea preventive regularly. 2) Unfortunately many groomers think they know how to empty anal glands and when it is to be done (even when there is no need to!) and do it wrongly, squeezing hard from the outside. THis often bruises the anal sacs and the area around them and starts to get inflamed and hurts. If you can rule out fleas, I suggest you take Hachi to your vet for an exam of the anal glands. He may need an antiinflammatory to resolve the irritation and possible pain.

I am sorry rascal is not feeling well. I would recommend taking him to a veterinarian to determine the cause of discomfort with the tail. Dogs have glands inside the rectum called anal glands that can cause inflammation and irritation. I would recommend having a vet examine these glands to make sure they are not the problem. Also skin allergies or fleas can cause irritation. You can try an over the counter anti histamine to decrease inflammation. Hope that helps and he feels better soon.