Dogs chew on their tails when there is any type of irritation or discomfort in them. There are many causes for this. Most causes will be obvious upon inspecting the tail, but sometimes it is not apparent. Learn the most common reasons a dog would chew on its tail.
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Fleas
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Fleas sometimes choose to take shelter in the tails of dogs. This will cause irritation, which in turn causes the dog chew on its tail.
Docking
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If the dog recently had its tail docked, it could have caused nerve damage in the tail, which may cause irritation.
Fracture
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The dog may have fractured its tail. This could happen if the tail was shut in a door or stepped on.
Wound
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The dog may have a wound or injury on the tail. The skin will become itchy during the healing process.
Playing
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Dogs sometimes hunt down their own tails as a form of playing. This behavior should be discouraged as it could result in tail damage.
Anal Glands
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The dog's anal glands may need to be expressed. A groomer or vet can do this in a matter of minutes.
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