Does everyone else wipe their dogs bums?

[Aquarelles]

Apologies for the disgusting topic. I promise I'm not a poo troll!! My dog keeps leaving shit smears over everything which he never used to do before. I don't know if it's because he's getting older (double digits now) but I find I'm having to wipe his bum after every #2.

It's disgusting but I have enough washing to do with dirty muddy towels after his walks, without having to do blankets, cushion covers and my living room rug twice in one week!!!

Yup, if need be. One of the many pleasures of dog ownership. Not needed often though because poos are usually solid and well formed. Has your dog’s become softer recently? If so, you might need to look at his food.

And keep the hair round the bum hole cut short, so it can’t cling to the hair. <bleugh>

Not on a regular basis. Definitely not.
Once in a blue moon he has an upset tummy and I might have to wipe something off his fluffy butt but not yet off any furnishings.
This doesn't seem normal. Surely a trip to the vet is in order.

No, but I would if necessary. I'd use 'water wipes & dispose of in the dog poo bag). Wouldn't be happy about it if it was a St Bernard or something.

I'd FAR rather do that than have smears on the rugs/furniture.

Hmmm when she's been unwell maybe twice in her life. I would have a trip to the vets.

I think vet check and then consider a diet change. I am pretty sure dogs are not supposed to have regular anal leakage. It could be a gland problem

I do wipe when his poops haven't been solid or he's had an upset tummy. They've been normal recently but for the past 2 weeks he's been leaving smears on everything he sits on.

I wasn't sure if it was age / laziness as he's recently started standing up and walking off before his #2s are finished.

@Aquarelles are you sure it's not his anal glands? He might need them emptying by the vet

Occasionally, if the poo is runny. He has a very fuzzy bum.

I wasn't sure if it was age / laziness as he's recently started standing up and walking off before his #2s are finished

How's his back leg strength? My old fella finds it hard to support himself in that position these days, since his hips are giving out a bit...

I never had this and my dogs were in double digits when I rescued them. I also dog sit and have never had this with any dog I've looked after. I think you should see the vet, I couldn't live with dog shit over everything.

My bitch has had anal gland issues, probably caused by whatever causes her food intolerance, intermittently throughout the time she has been with us.
I always wipe her backside with a baby wipe after a walk. She doesn’t have faecal leakage , just occasionally whiffy glands. But she actually looks to get her butt wiped alongside getting her feet cleaned after a walk.

I think if he is sometimes standing up and walking off, he doesn't realise he hasn't finnished.

My 16 year old is sometimes walking when she starts going, I don't think she has realised she has started going so I stop and let her go.

I wipe my cat's. I really shouldn't, but it's gotten to the point where she just comes to me, looks me in the eye, and miaows because she wants it done.

Luckily when I'm not around she 'takes the initiative', but I do pander to her too much.

His back legs are very weak now, bless him. He frequently trips himself up and they give way sometimes when he's climbing stairs. He's got arthritis in the base of his spine too.

Thank you everyone. I never considered it might be his anal glands. I'll get him checked out.

I have to sometimes when he is due a haircut.

No, never.

When was the last time he saw a vet?