Why do dogs bite their tail?

Question

I have several dogs, and I make sure to keep on top of their flea treatments because no one wants a house full of fleas. However, they all like to chew on their tails. This isn’t just a little chewing or scratching, they really get into it! Not to mention the noise they make while they’re chewing can be really annoying, especially in the middle of the night. Why do dogs bite their tails?

Answer 1

If your dog has just started biting its tail and this isn’t a pretty regular pastime, then they might have a skin problem. A veterinarian can check for any skin allergies or other skin conditions that you can usually treat. Any kind of swelling, crusting, bleeding, or other visible irritation is a good sign that your dog needs medical treatment.

Answer 2

Why do dogs bite their tail? Well, as far as I know, dogs who like to bite or chase their tails can actually come by it naturally because of a hereditary tendency. It can be passed down through generations, and some dog breeds are more likely to do it than others.

Answer 3

Sometimes dogs bite their tails as a way of playing or getting pent up energy out. If you leave your dog home alone a lot and they don’t have much to do, they might decide chewing on their tail is a fun way to pass the time. This can turn into an obsessive disorder though if frustration, boredom, stress, or anxiety is causing them to continuously bite their tail more frequently than the occasional play time.

Answer 4

Just because you’ve treated your dog for fleas doesn’t mean that another parasite isn’t causing this reaction. Internal or external parasites could be responsible for your dog chewing tail. Tapeworms can cause the anus to itch, and a dog might bite the base of its tail as a way to alleviate this itching. There are a lot of parasite treatments similar to the ones for fleas that can be bought over the counter, but a veterinarian can also test for parasites and provide specific medications.