Taking care of our son’s dog only a few times a year, I’m certainly not up on dog-related things. That said, just recently he’s (the dog not my son) started licking his butt. Never seen him do so before. Could this be worms or is butt licking normal?
Does the dog do it often, or just sometimes?
Couple/three times a day.
Some dogs just like the taste of butt. 
Having been around many healthy dogs, I can say that sporadic butt licking is in the range of normal.
Licking anything is normal for a dog. Somehow they don’t embarrass as easily as we do.
I’ll be thinking of this tonight when greeted by my face-licking dog.
Dogs don’t use toilet paper, so they have to improvise. Yucky, I know, but not abnormal. Without going into too much detail, dogs are kind of notorious for eating hideous stuff.
As long as the dog gets their worm meds and has had a checkup, there is nothing to worry about.
Too late for the edit, but I would also note that the most common butt problem for dogs (particularly small breeds) is blocked anal glands that need to be expressed. If this behavior is brand new, you may want your vet or groomer empty the glands just to eliminate that possibility. It is quick and easy.
Easy, but they will be unhappy doing it. I knew one vet who said, “If I’d known being a vet would involve expressing anal glands, I would have chosen a different profession.”
"Easy, but they will be unhappy doing it. I knew one vet who said, “If I’d known being a vet would involve expressing anal glands, I would have chosen a different profession.”
Reminds me of a bumper sticker I saw on a plumbers truck: “Your shit is my bread and butter.”
You certainly aren’t up on dog-related things. It’s definitely normal for dogs.
I’d say 2-3 times a day is within normal range. Not something I pay much attention to but I have three dogs and that’s probably about right.
They eat/poop twice a day so it follows that at least two cleanings are in order.
Anal gland stuff is gross. :eek: Usually if there’s an anal gland issue, or something else that makes the butt itchy or uncomfortable, you’re likely to see them scooting on their butt. Or licking for really prolonged amounts of time, like more than a minute or two.