Anal Glands in Dogs: Essential Care for Adorable Pets

Your dog is scooting across the carpet like they’re on a mission. Again. You’re wondering: what’s going on back there? The answer is usually anal glands in dogs—two small pouches that most pet owners never think about until something goes wrong. Here’s the thing: anal glands in dogs are totally normal, but when they get impacted, infected, or inflamed, they become a real problem. I’ve seen plenty of dogs in the clinic who could’ve avoided weeks of discomfort if their owners had understood anal glands in dogs a little better. Let’s fix that.

What Are Anal Glands in Dogs?

Anal glands in dogs are two walnut-sized glands located on either side of your dog’s anus, at roughly the 4 and 8 o’clock positions. They’re part of your dog’s scent-marking system—basically their personal ID card in the dog world. When your dog poops, these glands naturally express and release a musky, oily fluid that tells other dogs “hey, this is my territory.” It’s like leaving a signature on a fire hydrant, but way more efficient.

Here’s what most people don’t realize: anal glands in dogs are supposed to empty on their own during normal bowel movements. In a healthy dog with good digestion, you’ll never think about them. But when things get backed up—literally or figuratively—these glands can become impacted, infected, or abscessed. That’s when you get the scooting, the licking, and the “my dog smells like a fish market” situation.

According to the American Kennel Club, anal gland issues are one of the most common reasons dogs visit the vet. It’s not glamorous, but it’s real.

Signs Your Dog’s Anal Glands Need Attention

The classic sign is scooting—that butt-dragging move across your carpet that makes you cringe. But there’s more to watch for:

• Excessive licking or biting at the rear end – If your dog is obsessed with their back end, anal glands in dogs are usually the culprit
• Scooting on the ground – The most obvious red flag. Your dog is trying to relieve pressure or itching
• Foul smell – A stronger-than-normal odor coming from your dog’s rear, especially if it smells fishy
• Visible swelling or redness around the anus – This means inflammation or infection
• Difficulty defecating – Your dog strains or has trouble pooping, or produces very small, hard stools
• Dragging or limping – In severe cases, pain from impacted anal glands in dogs can affect how they walk
• Discharge or blood – Any discharge or blood around the anus means you need a vet visit immediately

Here’s the thing: not every scoot means anal glands in dogs are the problem. Sometimes it’s allergies, parasites, or skin irritation. But if you’re seeing multiple signs together, anal glands in dogs are almost always involved.

Common Causes of Anal Gland Problems

So why do anal glands in dogs get impacted in the first place? There are several culprits:

Soft Stools and Poor Digestion

This is the #1 reason anal glands in dogs back up. When your dog has soft or loose stools, there’s not enough pressure during bowel movements to naturally express the glands. It’s like trying to squeeze toothpaste out of an almost-empty tube—it just doesn’t work. Constipation in dogs can also cause problems, though it’s the opposite scenario—hard stools don’t provide enough lubrication.

Allergies and Skin Conditions

Dogs with food allergies or environmental allergies often have inflamed anal glands in dogs. The inflammation prevents normal emptying, leading to impaction. Mange and other skin conditions can trigger the same response.

Obesity

Overweight dogs have more pressure on their anal glands in dogs, and they’re less likely to get enough exercise for normal bowel function. This is one reason vets harp on weight management—it’s not just about joints.

Anal Gland Infections

Sometimes bacteria or yeast colonize the glands, causing infection. This is more serious than simple impaction and requires antibiotics or antifungals.

Parasites

Intestinal parasites can cause inflammation and soft stools, both of which mess with anal glands in dogs. Worms in dog poop are a sign you need to address parasites immediately.

Breed Predisposition

Small breeds—especially toy poodles, chihuahuas, and cocker spaniels—are more prone to anal gland issues. Their smaller frames and different anatomy make impaction more likely.

How to Express Anal Glands in Dogs

Okay, let’s talk about the procedure. There are two ways to express anal glands in dogs: externally and internally. Your vet can do either one, and honestly, most owners prefer to leave this to the professionals.

External Expression

This is the gentler method. Your vet (or groomer, though I’d recommend a vet) gently squeezes the area around the glands from the outside while your dog is standing or lying down. If the glands aren’t too impacted, fluid comes out. It smells terrible and looks worse, but it works. Takes about 30 seconds.

Internal Expression

If external doesn’t work or the glands are severely impacted, your vet will do an internal expression. This means inserting a gloved finger into the rectum and expressing the glands from inside. Yeah, it’s as fun as it sounds. But it’s effective and sometimes necessary.

Pro Tip: If your vet recommends regular expressions (like every 4-6 weeks), that’s a sign you need to address the underlying cause. Chronic impaction usually means diet, weight, or health issues need fixing. Don’t just keep expressing—that’s treating the symptom, not the disease.

Some owners ask about doing this at home. I get it—it’s cheaper and more convenient. But here’s my honest take: unless your vet specifically teaches you how to do it safely, don’t try it yourself. You can injure the glands, miss signs of infection, or cause your dog pain. One vet visit is cheaper than an infected abscess that needs surgery.

Prevention and Long-Term Management

The best treatment for anal glands in dogs is prevention. Once you’ve dealt with impaction once, you want to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Here’s what actually works:

• Increase fiber intake – This is your MVP move. Fiber bulks up stools, which creates natural pressure to express the glands. Think pumpkin puree, sweet potato, or prescription high-fiber diets
• Ensure adequate hydration – Dehydration leads to hard stools. Make sure your dog always has fresh water available
• Regular exercise – Movement helps with digestion and bowel regularity. A 20-30 minute walk daily can make a huge difference
• Manage allergies – If your dog has food or environmental allergies, treating them reduces inflammation and improves digestion. This is huge for anal glands in dogs
• Weight management – Keep your dog at a healthy weight. Obesity makes everything worse
• Quality diet – Cheap, low-quality kibble often leads to soft stools and poor digestion. A better diet can solve 70% of anal gland issues
• Probiotics and digestive enzymes – Some dogs benefit from these supplements, especially if they have chronic soft stools

The key is consistency. These aren’t quick fixes—they’re lifestyle changes. But they work.

When to Call Your Vet

Some anal gland situations need immediate professional attention. Don’t wait if you see:

• Blood or pus coming from the anus
• Severe swelling or a lump near the anus
• Your dog crying out in pain when defecating or sitting
• Signs of infection like fever, lethargy, or loss of appetite
• Anal gland abscess (a pocket of infection that can rupture)
• Your dog unable to defecate for more than 48 hours

Anal gland abscesses are serious. If an impacted gland gets infected and the abscess ruptures, you’ve got a surgical emergency. The good news: this is preventable with proper management.

Safety Warning: Never ignore signs of anal gland infection. Untreated infections can spread to surrounding tissues and cause serious complications. If your dog has discharge, swelling, or seems in pain, get to the vet within 24 hours.

Diet and Fiber: Your First Line of Defense

This deserves its own section because diet is where most people can make the biggest impact on anal glands in dogs.

Fiber is your secret weapon. A diet lacking in fiber leads to soft, inconsistent stools. Those stools don’t provide enough pressure to naturally express anal glands in dogs. Adding fiber changes the game.

Here are practical options:

• Pumpkin puree (plain, canned) – 1-4 tablespoons daily depending on dog size. This is the gold standard. Most dogs like it, and it works fast
• Sweet potato – Cooked and mashed, about 1/4 to 1 cup daily for medium dogs
• Psyllium husk – A fiber supplement you can add to food (follow package directions)
• Prescription high-fiber diets – Brands like Hill’s Science Diet Prescription Diet w/d or Royal Canin Digestive Care are specifically formulated for this. They work, but they’re expensive
• Vegetables – Green beans, carrots, and broccoli add bulk. Some dogs will eat them, some won’t

The catch: introduce fiber slowly. Too much too fast causes gas and bloating. Start with a small amount and increase over 7-10 days.

According to PetMD, most dogs see improvement in anal gland issues within 2-3 weeks of increasing fiber. That’s pretty remarkable for something so simple.

Also consider the quality of your dog’s regular food. Cheap kibble is often low in fiber and high in fillers that don’t digest well. A mid-to-premium diet with better ingredient quality can solve the problem without needing supplements. Yes, it costs more. But vet bills for chronic anal gland issues cost way more.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do anal glands in dogs need to be expressed?

– In healthy dogs, they should express naturally during normal bowel movements and never need manual expression. If your dog needs expression more than once or twice a year, that’s a sign something else needs fixing. Chronic impaction means diet, weight, allergies, or digestive issues need attention.

Can I express my dog’s anal glands at home?

– You can learn to do it if your vet teaches you, but most owners shouldn’t attempt it without training. You risk injuring the glands, missing signs of infection, or causing pain. A vet visit is safer and not that expensive compared to treating complications.

What does anal gland fluid smell like?

– It smells fishy, musky, and absolutely foul. If you’ve ever smelled it, you won’t forget it. That’s actually your dog’s scent marker—it’s supposed to smell strong so other dogs can detect it. When it backs up in the glands, the smell gets worse because the fluid sits there and concentrates.

Are anal gland problems contagious?

– No, anal gland impaction or infection isn’t contagious between dogs. However, if your dog has a bacterial or yeast infection in the glands, the underlying cause (like allergies) might be shared with other dogs in the house, so you’d want to address that.

Can diet alone fix anal gland problems?

– For many dogs, yes. If the problem is soft stools and poor digestion, adding fiber and improving diet quality can completely resolve the issue. But if there’s infection, allergies, or other underlying health issues, diet alone won’t fix it. You might need medication, allergy management, or other interventions.

What’s the difference between impaction and infection?

– Impaction means the glands are full and can’t empty naturally. Infection means bacteria or yeast have colonized the glands, causing inflammation, pain, and possibly discharge or abscess. Infection is more serious and requires antibiotics or antifungals. Impaction can lead to infection if not treated, so it’s important to address it early.

Why do groomers express anal glands?

– Many groomers offer anal gland expression as a standard service because it’s common and quick. However, not all groomers are trained to do it safely, and if your dog has an infection or abscess, a groomer won’t catch it. For chronic issues, see your vet instead.

Can anal gland problems cause other health issues?

– Yes. Untreated impaction can lead to infection and abscess. An abscess can rupture, causing a serious infection. Chronic inflammation can also lead to anal gland tumors in older dogs, though that’s rare. The earlier you address anal glands in dogs, the better.

Is there a surgical option for chronic anal gland problems?

– Yes, anal gland removal surgery (anal sacculectomy) is an option for dogs with severe, chronic problems that don’t respond to management. But it’s major surgery with potential complications like fecal incontinence. Most vets recommend trying diet, fiber, and medical management first. Surgery is a last resort.

Why do small dogs have more anal gland problems?

– Small breeds have smaller, closer-together anal glands and different pelvic anatomy. They’re also more prone to obesity and allergies, both of which trigger anal gland issues. It’s partly breed predisposition and partly lifestyle factors.