So, you’ve been going out to the bathroom with your dog since they were just a wee puppy. You have been watching their antics and their habits from the beginning. As they’ve been growing up, you realize they have a funky habit.

Every time they go to the bathroom, they have to kick behind them when they’re done for the grand finale. If it had not registered on your radar at first, you might wonder what this peculiar behavior is and why your dog is doing it. Here are some possible reasons that your dog kicks after they pee.

The 4 Possible Reasons Why Dogs Kick After They Pee

1. Your Dog Is Scent Marking

Our dogs use their waste to communicate with other canines. Some of it says, “Hey! This is my house.” Other things say, “I noticed you were looking for an admirable suitor. Perhaps I could do the job?”

What our dogs communicate to others greatly depends on the manner, pheromones, and other factors that come into play. When your dog is kicking after using the bathroom, it’s a way for them to send these messages to any canine passersby.

Scent marking is a totally normal thing for dogs to do. There are interdigital scent glands between the toes and in the paw pads that release organic chemical compounds that tell a story. It is a method of communication and nothing more.

Scratching the grass after urination or defecation spreads the scent and sends important messages to nearby dogs.

2. They’re Hiding Their Waste

Another obvious reason a dog may kick after they pee is that they’re attempting to hide their waste, especially if they’re kicking up dirt or sand. They may be trying to cover their waste as a way to hide their scent from prey, or in the case of small dogs, from larger dogs and other predators.

3. It’s a Visual Message

Your dog may kick after they pee as a way to send a visual message to other dogs. It lets the other dogs know that they have just peed there and are marking their territory.

4. They’re Communicating

Your dog could be kicking the ground after they pee to create visible scratches or slashes on the ground as a longer-lasting sign. This visual mark complements the scent signals and helps indicate their presence or territory even after scents fade.

A Dog’s Sense of Smell

A dog’s sense of smell is far superior to ours. In fact, it’s estimated to be 10,000 to 100,000 times more acute than humans. Dogs can tell all sorts of information about their surroundings and those they interact with by scent alone.

Changes in Bathroom Habits to Be Aware Of

While kicking after peeing is perfectly normal, you might want to take a look at any other signals that could indicate a problem. The behavior by itself is 100% normal, but if you just started noticing some changes in your dog’s actions, you might wonder why.
If it seems like your dog is struggling or straining a little bit to use the bathroom and they seem more agitated, restless, or uncomfortable afterward, it can indicate a potential infection or other underlying health concern.

UTI

A urinary tract infection can affect dogs of all ages and commonly cause discomfort or pain during urination, increased frequency of urination, frequent trips to the backyard, and sometimes small amounts of urine or accidents in the house.

Bladder Stones

Bladder stones are tiny, crystallized particles that form in the bladder and can be painful to pass. They often cause blood in the urine, straining to urinate, and visible signs of pain or discomfort during potty time.

Cystitis

Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder that is painful and requires vet support. It can be caused by bacterial infections, bladder stones, tumors, polyps, trauma, or other irritants.

If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's our online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your dog — all at an affordable price!

Click to Speak With a Vet

Kidney Infection

A kidney infection is pretty serious! If your pup has a kidney infection, they will need vet treatment promptly—likely a course of antibiotics, and may require other supportive care such as fluids or pain management. Pups usually exhibit changes in bathroom habits, such as increased urination frequency, straining, or accidents, excessive thirst, and lack of appetite.

Prostate Issues

Prostate problems can make it difficult for male dogs to do their business. Often it causes a condition called prostatitis, which can lead to a weak or interrupted urine stream, straining to defecate, blood in the urine, discomfort, and sometimes systemic illness.

Conclusion

So now you understand a little more about dogs kicking after they pee and its purpose. They mostly do it as a way to mark their scent or hide their scent, but also use it as a visual cue or a form of communication to other dogs. But if you have a pup that is showing any difficulty going to the bathroom, it’s definitely time to see your vet.

• See Also: Why Do Dogs Kick Their Legs When You Scratch Them? Possible Reasons Explained

Featured Image Credit: Ching Louis Liu, Shutterstock