When walking dogs, you will often see an interesting phenomenon: dogs like to sniff each other's butts. This makes owners feel very embarrassed. Should you just let your dog do this, or decisively pull your dog away? Why do they like to sniff each other's butts? Is it a bad habit or is there some hidden secret we don't understand? I’ve compiled some related information for those interested in understanding why dogs like to sniff each other's butts.

Why Do Dogs Like to Sniff Each Other's Butts

Why do dogs like to sniff each other's butts? Actually, this is a way for dogs to identify each other's identity and greet each other. There are two anal glands on both sides of a dog's butt, located at roughly the four o'clock and eight o'clock positions, each with a small opening.

Each dog's anal glands emit different scents. Dogs sniff each other's butts to gather basic information about the other dog and assess their health. Dogs have a highly developed sense of smell. By sniffing the anal glands, they can know all the information about the other dog and determine if they are friend or foe. Dogs also sniff each other's butts during heat cycle to choose the most suitable mate for breeding.

Why Do Dogs Like to Sniff Each Other's Butts

Dog anal glands need regular cleaning. Small breeds require cleaning more often than large breeds. If a dog mainly eats meat and the anal glands are not cleaned for a long time, it can lead to swollen and painful anal glands, difficulty defecating, and increased body odor. If your dog chases its tail to bite or rubs its butt on the floor, it may have anal gland inflammation.

When expressing the anal glands, first hold the base of the dog's tail, wear gloves, place tissue paper at the opening of the anal gland, then gently squeeze the glands from the inside out. Do not put your face close; getting splash on yourself is unpleasant. It's best to clean the anal glands while bathing your dog.

Why Do Dogs Like to Sniff Each Other's Butts

Why do dogs like to sniff each other's butts? Don’t feel embarrassed; this is just one of their ways of communicating with each other.