In 1999, the AVMA announced 1 that “Ear cropping and tail docking in dogs for cosmetic reasons are not medically indicated nor of benefit to the patient. These procedures cause pain and distress ...

"Dogs have excellent sensation in their tails," Dr. MacMillan confirms. "They contain nerves that allow them to feel pain, as ...

Pain in your dog's tail may result from a traumatic injury directly to the tail, Creighton says, but it can also crop up due to chronic conditions like arthritis, allergies, or anal gland issues.

An curved arrow pointing right. A dog chasing its tail may be a sign of a direr issue. Like humans, dogs can suffer from a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder, called canine compulsive disorder.