Irritation of dog anus

 If it is related to his anal glands, you can try adding  a teaspoon of canned pumpkin to his food.  Be sure it is pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling which includes spices etc.  This will bulk up the stool to help express the glands naturally.  So if that makes any improvement.

You didn't mention breed, so I have no idea of his size.  I use 1 teaspoon for my bichon who has this issue.  We haven't had to go for a manual expression is over a year using this addition to her food.

snoopy54

My dog is about 2 years old and one year ago he started to lick his anal and sometimes bites around it and makes it red.

Glenda is right -- vet, please.  Could be anal glands.  Could be contact allergy irritation because he scoots in an area that further irritates.

snoopy54

. It makes me sick  because I am suspicious about transferring worms from his back to his mouth.

You have to understand this is a dog not a human.  He's trying to relieve discomfort so if HIS solution bothers you then get the vet to address it more specifically.

 But you also need to be better informed about the various parasites dogs may get -- hooks and whips are FAR more readily transmitted from the ground to your feet if you ever go barefoot.  Generally for both pets and humans they are transmitted via the soles of the feet.  Round worms aren't transmitted thta way.  tapeworms are transmitted via fleas.  (even one).  Even if tapeworm segments are shed in the *** that's not how they are transmitted.

To **us** the fact that a dog cleanses themselves is "ick".  But they also have a whole lot more germicidal capability in their mouths to deal with "ick" than we do.  Generally speaking your dog's mouth is still a LOT cleaner than yours!!   (which makes me want to go brush MY teeth).

It's possible the licking has become somewhat obsessive in nature.  If he has no problems, after being checked by the vet, and that would include a fecal test for parasites, I would try redirecting him when he starts licking. Offer him a chew toy or something else he enjoys chewing.  Don't punish or correct him for licking as this can cause him to feel anxious and he may lick even more to relieve the anxiety.

It's an urban myth that a dog's mouth is somehow cleaner than ours.  Dogs mouths are full of bacteria which is one reason a dog bite can often lead to a bad infection.  Just because it's not harmful to the dog doesn't make it true that their mouths are cleaner than ours. 

snoopy54

Recently I have changed his food because I tought the constipation was the cause of licking.

  Do you say he's constipated because he strains to pass stool? He may be constipated, but straining is often a sign of anal irritation, which fits because he also chews that area. Jessie stopped having problems with her anal sacs when we learned which foods she's allergic to and also added fish oil to her diet. If your dog is rubbing his face, licking his feet, or shaking his head and scratching his ears, he may have food allergies.

I'm pretty sure that any mouth is chock full of bacteria, brushed or not.  However, wasn't there a study that shows some property in dogs saliva is actually benefical and has some healing properties?  Regardless, yes, licking the anal area is not going to put worms in a dogs mouth or any other part of the body, unless they are already there.

Gee, Callie, thanks for reminding me why I shouldn't go barefoot all the time!  Shoes all the time?  Not gonna happen!