What this means
A dog may gnaw at its tail because of itching, pain or discomfort. It matters which part it chews most, the base, the middle or the tip, and whether the skin there has changed or the tail is held in an unusual way. Different places point to different possible causes.
A dog often chews the base of the tail when it itches there, and the tip when it has been damaged, for example by thumping it against walls. Also look at whether the tail hangs limp, whether your dog pulls it in or will not move it, and whether there is swelling, wounds or blood.
If your dog chews or licks its tail, especially all the time, do not try to find the cause or use products yourself. Photograph what you see and show a vet.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your dog.
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Fleas and other external parasites
Even a few flea bites can be enough to cause strong itching at the base of the tail. Black specks may be visible in the coat.
About the condition: Fleas -
Allergy
Environmental or food allergy causes itching that makes a dog chew at its tail or other parts of the body.
About the condition: Allergies (food, skin and environmental) -
Local skin inflammation and a sore
A spot that is licked or chewed all the time becomes red, wet and painful. The hair mats and the sore can spread quickly.
About the condition: Hot spots (acute moist dermatitis) -
Tail muscle pain after heavy exertion
After swimming, a long journey or hard exercise, the tail can hang limp and be painful. Your dog holds it oddly or chews at it.
About the condition: Limber tail syndrome -
Injury to the tip of the tail
If a dog keeps thumping its tail against walls or furniture, the tip can split and bleed, and the wound can be slow to heal.
About the condition: Happy tail syndrome -
A problem with the anal glands
Blocked glands can irritate the area near the base of the tail, and your dog licks or chews it to ease the discomfort.
About the condition: Anal gland problems
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- Which part of the tail your dog chews: base, middle or tip
- Whether the skin there is red, wet, crusted or bald
- Whether the tail hangs limp or is held in an odd position
- Whether your dog guards it, cries out or will not move it
- Whether there are fleas or black specks in the coat
- Whether your dog drags its bottom along the ground
- Whether the tail thumps against walls and bleeds
When to book a routine visit
Book a vet visit if your dog chews its tail every day, if the skin is red, wet or has sores, or if the tail hangs limp or seems painful. Say which parasite products you have used and when.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Allergies (food, skin and environmental) Skin and coat An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to substances that are essentially harmless, such as pollen, house dust mites, moulds, flea saliva or an ingredient in food. In dogs it shows up mainly in the skin and ears, and constant itching wears a dog down and can open the way to skin infections. More than one trigger can be involved at once, so finding the cause takes patience.
- Hot spots (acute moist dermatitis) Skin and coat A hot spot, or acute moist dermatitis, is a patch of skin that suddenly turns moist, red and painful, which the dog makes worse by licking or scratching it. It can spread within hours, and it can be set off by something else, such as itching from parasites or an allergy. A vet should look at the patch and decide what to do.
- Limber tail syndrome Bones and joints This is a painful condition of the muscles at the base of the tail in which the tail suddenly goes limp and the dog can no longer lift or wag it. It is linked to muscle strain, for example after a long swim, especially in cold water, hard exercise, or a long time spent in a cramped cage or travel crate. A tail injury or other problems can look similar, so a tail that has suddenly gone limp is worth showing to a vet.
- Happy tail syndrome Bones and joints Happy tail syndrome is an injury to the tip of the tail that happens when a dog wags so hard that it keeps hitting the tail against walls, furniture or door frames. The wound at the tip keeps reopening, so it heals poorly, hurts and can become infected. Dogs with long, thin, short-haired tails and a cheerful, energetic nature are more at risk.
- Fleas Parasites Fleas are small, jumping parasites that feed on a dog's blood and cause itching. Some of them live on the dog, while the eggs, larvae and pupae live in the home: in the dog's bed, carpets and soft furnishings. That is why fleas can keep coming back even when none are left to see on the dog; your vet can advise on protecting your dog and your home.
Body systems: Skin and coat Bones and joints Parasites