Most non dog owners will never have heard of an anal gland but, for us pet parents, they can be quite important. For some individual pets, anal glands can become problematic and it is important that owners are aware of what they are and what can go wrong with them.
As humans do not have anal glands, many of us are unfamiliar with what they are. They are small sacs; about the size of a cherry, that sit inside the anus. If we were to say the anus was a clock face, the glands are found at about 4 and 8 o’clock.
The sacs are lined with sebaceous glands and they produce a strong, foul-smelling liquid that dogs use to mark territory and communicate with other dogs in the vicinity.
Anal glands cannot be seen externally and can only be felt by inserting fingers into the anus. This is done with a gloved hand, using lubricant to minimise discomfort.
One of the quintessential signs of anal gland issues is ‘the scoot’. Scooting or bum dragging is a dog’s way of trying to relieve the irritation they are feeling. Many owners mistakenly assume that this is a sign of worms, but it is simply an indication that the anal area is very irritated.
You might notice your dog sitting down abruptly and/or quickly looking behind them with an alert or concerned expression on their face.
A swelling may be visible around the anus and we might also detect a fishy smelling, brown discharge being leaked from the anus.
Some dogs will stretch to lick and chew at their back end. While some can reach, others may lick and chew their rump and legs instead. This can lead to fur loss and red skin.
We see anal gland issues much more commonly in small breeds, due to their conformation. They seem to be more prone to narrow openings of the anal glands. Obese dogs are also at higher risk. This is thought to be due to them having weaker muscles.
It is relatively uncommon for larger breeds to suffer with chronic anal gland issues, but it certainly happens.
Pedigree dogs are at highest risk. This is likely due to the fact that atopic dermatitis (allergies) is more common in these dogs and anal gland issues go hand in hand with atopy.
Anal glands will need to be squeezed and emptied if they are impacted. This is something owners can be taught to safely do at home. We should only empty glands that require emptying; if the dog has no anal gland issues, there is no need to empty them.
Many owners are (understandably) not confident to empty the glands at home and this is always something a vet will be happy to do. Some dogs require their glands to be emptied very regularly (every 4 to 6 weeks), while others may only need it a few times in their life.
If there is an infection, the dog will need a course of antibiotics and anti inflammatories.
A dog who is licking at their back end due to the discomfort should be given a buster collar to protect the surrounding skin and tissue.
Uncommonly, surgery is needed to treat ongoing anal gland issues, particularly if they cannot be managed medically and are significantly affecting a dog’s quality of life.
Thankfully, there are lots of things we can do to help prevent anal gland issues. This includes:
Your dog will usually let you know something is amiss by scooting their bum along the ground and stopping abruptly to look quickly at their back end. They may also lick or chew obsessively at their back end.
Full anal glands cause discomfort and can quickly become infected, leading to an abscess forming. If not treated on time, the abscess can burst out onto the skin.
Most dogs never need their glands expressed. The fluid is released naturally when they pass stool. However, some dogs will need their glands emptied for them. This can be an infrequent occurrence (once or twice a year) or something that is done every 4-6 weeks. It all depends on the individual.
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Comments (14)
My 2yr old female dog has had her glands emptied twice in the last month. Is Health & Digestion the best food to give her as she is not overweight. Is there h fibre in it to help. Thanks, Nicola
Hi Nicola, Yes, this would likely be a good choice. However, it does depend on several factors including the dog’s weight, activity levels, body shape etc. The aim is for dogs to pass a firm poo daily. Soft poos do not empty the glands as they should.
Hi I have a 7 month border collie who has recently started licking his bottom a lot, He is due worming next week but didnt know if his glands are irritating him. His stools aren’t always the best as he’s a fussy feeder so doesn’t always get his recommended daily intake. i’ve tried him on the probiotic supplement and again won’t always eat it. He is very active as he’s a horse owners dog so constantly exercised and on a good diet when he chooses to it. Is there anything else I can give him to help
Hi Crisy, If passing soft stools it is possible your dogs anal glands may be bothering him, and it might be worth adding in a supplement like our Bionic Biotic! If they are firm there could be another factor and a trip to the vet could be needed.
Hi does your food or treats help wirh anal gland problem?
Hi Melanie, treats alone are likely to not improve your pooches anal gland trouble, but we would suggest a high fibre diet. If you would like to get in touch with the team we would be more than happy to discuss this further :) Pooch@poochandmutt.com
Hi we have a cockapoo called Rocky , he’s 4 & a half now, he’s been struggling with his annal glands for round about 18months now, he did have a abscess in december of last year & it took 2 sets of antibiotics to clear it, ever since then he’s been very loose, we’ve tried different dog foods / chicken, adding fibre to his meals & a course of glandex, can you help with a plan, yours Lloyd Doughty
Hi Lloyd,
Anal gland issues can have a range of causes including food allergies, a dog being over weight, a dog being less active, chronic loose stool or even a lack of fibre.
If over weight, our slim and slender may be the most appropriate.
If he’s a healthy weight, Health & Digestion may be best, as it contributes to a firm stool, which helps in the natural expression of the glands.
If you have any questions, reach out to the team on pooch@poochandmutt.com
Hi, CRISY, I have a 5 month old Golden Retreiver, who is itching a bit, we have changed his food to salmon based kibble with a fish topper, we alternate with Duck. We took him to see the vet for his scratching, all looked fine until she looked at his anal glands which were nearly full, not good for a young pup. We do feed him high quality food, and his stools are firm, what else can I do to help with the anal glands filling up so quickly. Thank you.
Hi Val, if your pup does have firm stools, it might be worth speaking with your vet; as firm stools do help with naturally expressing the anal glands and it could be more related to the positioning of their anal glands.
We are feeding Dakota kibbles and bits is there a better food that would help with her anal glands
Hi Joyce,
You may find changing Dakota to a high fibre diet helps with their anal gland troubles.
If they are over weight, our slim and slender may be the most appropriate. If they’re a healthy weight, Health & Digestion may be best, as it contributes to a firm stool, which helps in the natural expression of the glands. If you have any questions, reach out to the team on pooch@poochandmutt.com
Hi, my Cockapoo is 8yrs old and suffers with his anal glands, we have to get them emptied every 4 weeks. He is fed pooch and mutt healthy digestion dry food also the turkey and duck wet food. Can you help with anything else we could feed him to help with his anal glands. Thank you
Hi Lynn, it might be worth adding in some of our Bionic Biotic supplement to see if this helps with their anal gland trouble, to help firm up the stools and also help with digestion, along with the benefit of additional prebiotics to aid in gut health. :)
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