My Dog Won't Stop Licking His Tail - What's Going On?

 

Dogs licking various body parts is normal grooming behavior. But constant, obsessive licking of one area like the tail likely indicates an underlying issue.

Dogs licking various body parts is normal grooming behavior. But constant, obsessive licking of one area like the tail likely indicates an underlying issue. 

This article explores possible reasons why does my dog keep licking his tail. It's common to glance over and see your dog casually licking his paws, legs, or genital region. 

Self-grooming behaviors like licking keep dogs clean and free of debris and parasites. But when licking becomes constant and focused primarily on the tail, it often signals discomfort, pain or a health problem needing attention. 

Understanding common causes can help you get to the bottom of why your dog incessantly licks his tail.

What Does It Mean When a Dog Licks His Tail?

The main reasons dogs lick their tails constantly include:

• Skin infections or irritation
• Impacted anal glands
• Wounds or trauma
• Painful conditions like nerve damage
• Parasites like fleas or mites
• Anxiety, stress or boredom
• Compulsive disorder

Possible Causes of Tail Licking in Dogs

Skin Infections, Irritation and Allergies

Licking can result from general skin irritation, allergies, or infections on the tail. Dogs have apocrine glands around the tail base secreting pheromones. 

But when overactive, these glands can cause itching, redness, and discomfort making your dog lick the area.

Skin yeast and bacterial infections like pyoderma also provoke tail licking if affecting the area. Dogs may lick persistently trying to relieve resulting itchiness and inflammation. Seasonal allergies to pollen or food allergies can also specifically cause tail itching and licking.

Symptoms suggesting skin irritation, infection or allergies as the cause include:

• Red, inflamed skin near tail base
• Hair loss around the tail
• Odor or discharge on tail region
• Increased licking during certain seasons

Painful Conditions like Limber Tail

Muscle, bone, joint, or nerve issues causing tail pain can also cause a dog to lick the area. Limber tail syndrome, clinically known as acute caudal myopathy, is a common culprit.

This condition results in swelling and pain in the tail muscles from overexertion. Working dogs like hunting breeds are prone to their fast wagging and swimming stresses tail muscles. The pain then leads to persistent licking of the base of the affected tail.

Nerve disorders affecting the caudal nerves supplying the tail can have similar effects. Diseases like degenerative myelopathy and spinal issues can damage nerves causing neuropathic pain leading dogs to obsessively lick their tails.

Signals of pain driving the licking include:

• Sudden tail limpness and unwillingness to wag
• Yelping if the tail is handled or touched
• Obvious swelling at the base of the tail

Wounds, Trauma, and Parasites

Lacerations, bites, or blunt injuries to the tail area provoke greatly heightened licking while healing. 

Parasites like fleas, ticks, or mites biting and feeding on the skin at the tail also elicit obsessive tail licking in dogs. Tapeworm infections around the anus area may spread irritation closer to the tail as well.

Ringworm fungus infection on the skin and tail can be very itchy. Dogs lick constantly attempting to soothe the pruritis caused by parasitic infestations affecting the tail zone in these cases.

Signs of parasites or tail injury include:

• Visible wounds, scabs, or bald patches on the tail
• Evidence of parasites like flea dirt or droppings
• The tail looks chewed on or damaged

Impacted Anal Glands

Many dogs with impacted anal glands situated right under the tail tend to lick, scoot and chew at the area. 

These sacs fill up with a putrid secretion which should empty naturally each bowel movement. 

When blocked, the dog may continually lick beneath and around the tail trying to relieve pressure and pain.

Symptoms of blocked anal glands as a cause include:

• Scooting rear along the floor
• Excessive licking below the tail
• Foul odor when tail lifted
• The reddened area below the tail base

When to See the Vet about Tail Licking

Observing your dog licking his tail now and then is no concern. But if licking seems excessive, incessant, and focused on one spot, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Seek urgent veterinary care if you notice any of the following:

Concerning signs justifying immediate veterinary care:

• Tail limpness – could indicate limber tail or nerve injury
• Visible wounds, swelling, or trauma of the tail
• Signs of infection like odor, discharge, or redness
• Your dog suddenly stops wagging its tail
• Licking paired with listlessness or appetite loss
• Tail chewing that causes hair loss or more irritation