Okay, this is a bit embarrassing to ask so I'll just ask point blank (please forgive us, as our family is new to pets).

Should the dog's anal area be wiped or cleaned after the dog eliminates?

I know that almost no one bothers with this but isn't it a bit unclean to NOT clean after a mess?

tks,
b.

Depends on the dog and the diet. If the dog needs it's butt wiped after going potty outside you probably need to change the dogs diet because its stool isnt firm enough.

I wouldn't call a dogs butt clean, but it isn't necessary to wipe them. A dogs rectum is different that a humans. Watch your dog crap, it will relax, extend, and open to poop. Yours just extends a little bit but not out past the surrounding skin, not like a dogs. They don't get as dirty as you do when they crap, and most dogs "self clean" that area anyway.

Funny topic though.

Some of the long hair breeds can get poopie stuck to the hair back there if the hair gets too long.

Thanks for that vivid description V.C. Maybe you need to write a book on the subject. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> You seem mighty knowledgeable. I do know someone that wipes their dog's butt with baby wipes.

Thanks, Robert. You're one of the best contributors on this board and I've learned much from your inputs over the past few months.

This is the best description so far on this topic. I've never seen anything on "wiping the dog after pooping" anywhere. The closest thing was on a site for Pomeranians where the author suggested clipping some of the hair near the anal area.

My folks had often in the past complained about pets possibly getting the house dirty (with poop that may be stuck on their butts in addition to accidents).

It seems from my readings that the BARF diet would probably help a lot in this area by making their stools more solid.

Anyway, thanks for all your inputs!

b.

Ben,

It may in fact be necessary to clean a dogs butt. Not after every elimination, but there can be some that can build up to a serious situation. As an example, some friends had a small Yorkie that they had to board for a while. When the dog came home it wasn't acting quite right and seemed to be straining to go. When they checked him out his butt was so encrusted that he couldn't go. He was a very happy dog after a bath, and a couple of good dumps. Even though the hair on our Min Schnauzer is cut fairly short, she will collect a little every few days.

The other thing is that if the dog develops this problem and it is left unattended to it can create some serious health problems. Stool is very iritating to the skin. Prolonged contact can cause sores on the skin. In addition I have seen cases of neglected dogs where the dog had the problem and had flies lay eggs in the stool. The resulting maggots actually started eating the dogs skin and in to the tissue beneath. A regular bathe would have cured the problem. I know no interested enough to vist this board would allow this to happen, but it is worth a mention.

It also demonstrates tha what may seem like a silly question may have wider consequences and may not be so silly after all. Gotta learn someplace.

Thanks, Richard. I consider myself very blessed to be able to access so many people's experience and knowledge with their pets.

From what you're saying, I guess my folks were somewhat correct that some fecal matter may be brought back and perhaps wind up on our laps (in the case of a toy dog), huh?

I think I'll try to ensure that I'll bathe the
dog at least once every few weeks, perhaps without soap each time so that the skin doesn't dry out.

tks,
b.

P.S. Boy, I feel a bit relieved that we can talk about this subject openly. Thanks!

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

A good brushing 3-4 times a week should be more than enough to keep the dog clean. If you feel the need to follow the brushing with a baby wipe, go right ahead.

Quite the strange topic, but when I was in college I worked for a vet and saw a few collies who had to have their tails amputated because of maggots.