Dog Leaking Small Amounts of Poop Between Bowel Movements: Why?

Leaking small amounts of stool between normal bowel movements has a few common causes. One is the anal glands: when they’re full or inflamed, dogs may leak a little material and scoot or lick their rear. Another is the diet. Many weight-loss diets are high in fiber, which increases the amount and frequency of stool, and some dogs struggle to hold it all. Being overweight can also make it harder for a dog to clean himself.

Less often, leaking happens because the muscle around the anus is weak, from nerve problems, an old injury or past surgery. Since you’ve not had him long, his history may be unknown, so a vet check is a good idea. Your vet can examine his anal glands, do a rectal exam and check his back-end nerves.

In the meantime, keep the fur around his rear trimmed and clean, take him out often, and ask your vet whether a different weight-control diet might help. See our guides to anal gland problems and bowel incontinence in dogs.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.