Key Takeaways:
- Dog anal glands are small sacs; about the size of a cherry, that sit inside the anus. The sacs are lined with sebaceous glands and they produce a strong, foul-smelling liquid.
- Blocked fluid, an unbalanced microbiome, infections, a ruptured abscess, and cancer can all lead to issues with your dog's anal glands.
- Dogs will drag their bum on the floor, sit down abruptly or refuse to sit, chase their tail and lick or chew at their back end, rump, or legs if their anal glands are full.
- Signs of full anal glands in dogs also include a strong, fishy or foul smell from their rear and swelling, redness, or a visible lump around the anus.
- A vet can confirm if your dog's anal glands are full and express them, especially if you're not confident to do it yourself.
For some individual pets, anal glands can become problematic and owners must be aware of what they are and what can go wrong with them.
Anal Glands: What you need to know
What are anal glands in dogs?
Dog anal glands 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.
What causes anal gland problems in dogs
Blockages
Sometimes, the fluid inside the gland is not expressed and it builds up, causing a blockage.
Unbalanced gut microbiome or dysbiosis
The health of your dog's gut, and gut microbiome impacts most parts of your dog's body, including those that affect their anal glands. An imbalance of bacteria in the gut, or dysbiosis, often leads to variable stool consistency. Passing stools often helps dogs naturally express their anal glands, but with softer, more runny poos, they miss out on this opportunity. Plus, an increase in less friendly bacteria from the gut can also lead to inflammation. To find out what's really going on inside your dog's gut and how it may be impacting their overall health and wellbeing, a Gut Health Test is the way to go. Find out more about how to investigate your dog's gut health here!
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Infections
The gland can become infected, leading to discomfort, an elevated temperature and swelling of the gland.
Ruptured abscesses
An advanced infection can cause the gland to swell with pus and to then ulcerate onto the skin. The owner will see a small hole in the skin that is oozing blood and pus.
Cancer
An adenocarcinoma is the most common type of tumour to affect the anal sac. These tumours frequently cause elevated calcium levels and signs such as excess thirst and weakness.
How to tell if your dog’s anal glands are full
One of the most common signs of full anal glands in dogs is scooting, dragging or rubbing their bottom on the floor to relieve irritation. Many owners mistake this for worms, but it’s usually a sign of anal discomfort.
Other clear signs to watch for include:
Behavioural signs:
Scooting or dragging their bum on the floor.
Sitting down abruptly or refusing to sit.
Suddenly turning to look at their rear or chasing their tail.
Straining or showing pain when passing stools.
Licking or chewing at their back end, rump, or legs.
Physical signs:
A strong, fishy or foul smell from their rear.
Swelling, redness, or a visible lump around the anus.
Brown, grey, greenish-yellow, or blood-tinged discharge from the anal area.
Fur loss or red skin around the rump from persistent licking or chewing.
If left untreated, full anal glands can cause infections, abscesses, or even rupture. This can be extremely painful, so always speak to your vet rather than trying to express them yourself - unless you have been trained to do so.
Are any breeds at increased risk?
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.
Do puppies need their glands expressed?
Just like older dogs, a puppy’s anal gland shouldn’t cause them any pain, discomfort or distress unless they need emptying. If your puppy’s suffering from full anal glands, they may display the same symptoms as older dogs including scooting, licking the area, straining when pooping or a strong, fishy odour.
However, you should also note that these are also symptoms of food allergies or worms since puppies very commonly contract worms.
If you suspect your puppy has worms, be sure to check their poop for any white flecks or spaghetti-like worms, and speak to your vet for worming treatment and advice. To find out more about treating your puppy for worms, check out our article; ‘ Identifying and treating worms in puppies ’.
If you suspect that your puppy needs their anal glands expressed, be sure to contact your vet. You could follow the aforementioned advice to do it yourself at home, but with a puppy being so small and wriggly, taking them to a vet will be easier and ensure a safe procedure.
How to express dog anal glands
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.
When emptying glands at home, prepare yourself before getting your dog. Make sure you have disposable gloves, paper towel and some lubricant such as KY jelly or Vaseline.
The easiest place to empty glands is in the bath! Ideally you would have one person holding the dogs shoulders forward and praising them. They can also reward them with high value treats las they stay calm.
If you imagine the anus is a clock face, each gland is located at 4 and 8 o'clock. Gently insert your thumb into the anus, steadying the anal gland with your pointer finger, which will be on the outside of the anus.
Squeeze with firm pressure, releasing all of the contents onto a tissue. You will feel the gland shrinking from the size of a grape to a small 'empty balloon'.
As this can be a strange sensation, your dog may try to run or jump, so ensure they are being held firmly.
Reward your dog. You are done!
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.
How can you prevent dog anal gland issues?
Thankfully, there are lots of things we can do to help prevent anal gland issues. This includes:
Feeding a high quality diet with ample fibre and supplementing the diet with fibre if needed. This helps keep the stool solid, ensuring the glands are naturally expressed when the dog passes stool.
Providing ample exercise. Not only will this prevent a dog becoming over-weight, exercise aids in gut health and helps promote healthy bowel movements.
Preventing obesity. Consider a slimming diet such as Pooch & Mutt’s Slim & Slender if your dog is over weight. This high fibre weight loss diet helps stave off hunger and can speed up weight loss.
Schedule regular check ups. You can ask your vet to check your dog’s glands during their routine checks and you may also need to book them in for regular ‘anal gland checks’.
FAQs
How do you know if your dog needs their anal glands expressed?
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.
What happens when a dog’s anal glands are full?
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.
How often should you express dogs’ anal glands?
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.
My dog has the Pooch and Mutt Health & Digestion dry food, but is still having some issues with her anal glands (scooting on the carpet, licking the area). Is there a supplement you could suggest that she can take with her dry food? Thank you!
Hi Victoria, I am sorry to hear this! Anal gland trouble can have a few causes including chronic diarrhoea, food allergies, obesity, lack of fibre, lack of exercise, body shape etc. To try to prevent them, we'd ideally figure out why your pooch has been having the anal gland issues, and go from there, so a vet visit is always worth considering! Our Bionic Biotic supplement may also be ideal if your pooch has no intolerance to grains. It is a probiotic health supplement containing both probiotics and prebiotics promote a healthy gut microbiome and it is specifically tailored to actively promote solid stools and healthy digestion. In addition to this, the added antioxidants promote a strong immune system :)
How can I relieve my Cavapoo from the discomfort of his anal glands until I can get him into the vet tmw. He seems ok in himself but I noticed a small amount of blood from his backend. Thank you Mrs DHayle
Hello, my dog eats the small dog food and has very firm stools, we run four times a week, she also walks, she is not over weight, but seems to be getting anal gland issues. Is there anything else I can supplement the food with? Thank you
Hi Hollie, I am sorry to hear this! Anal gland trouble can have a few causes, and to try and prevent issues, we'd ideally figure out the cause of the anal gland issues, and go from there. Salmon oil for example may help in some cases, i.e. in dogs who are not passing stools regularly or who suffer from constipation. However, if a dog is over-weight, adding a fatty oil could worsen rather than improve things. We also have our Bionic Biotic Supplement which is specifically designed to promote firm stools and may be ideal if she has no intolerance to grains. Furthermore, our Health & Digestion Food is also worth considering as this has specific ingredients to support gut health and in turn support anal glands. Do feel free to reach out to the team at pooch@poochandmutt.com for further tailored advice and recommendations on what may be most suitable :)
Hi Denise, It is worth asking your vet to demo how to empty glands at home. It is sensible to use a buster collar to prevent licking and to stop any rubbing. Warm salt water can be used to gently bathe the area. A nice distraction like one of our tasty chews is also a good idea :)
My dog is a Jack Russell terrier... is it pretty big lump at the top of the anal the end of the lump he have whitehead at the end of the lump it is causing him problems he have trouble in jumping up on the bed I have took and to the vet thinking they would done something but they did not do anything they just send me away with some painkillers but it has but my mind right because I was thinking it could be cancer and the vat set is not at least it has but my mind to rest but still concern about him in watching him going around he is suffering with it and with his back legs is in pain with arthritis he is not the same as he used to be all he wants to do is lay around and sleep it is definite not acting have he used to be I am definitely concerning and upset in watching him the way he is and very worried and concern because I don't know how to help him to make him feel better
Hi there, I have a 4 year old Cocker Spaniel. In the last two years she’s been needing to get her anal glands expressed for her, as around every 4-6 weeks the fishy smell comes from her, that is usually the only symptom she gets. We have been shown how to check if her glands are full, and they already feel full now after only 4 weeks since she last got them done. We get different advise from each vet we see, some say come in as much as we need to, to get them expressed. And other say that we are getting it done too much and she will eventually express them herself. But every time we go her glands are full. I just don’t want to be causing more harm then good going to the vet every 4 to 6 weeks to be getting them expressed and be causing issues for her in the future? We did have many skin and ear issues with her last year and she was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, but she seems to be all healed now from that. What do you think is best? Thanks
Hi Peter, I'm sorry to hear this, and can understand your concerns. I would encourage you to contact your vet and have your dog seen again, discussing your new concerns. They can sample the lump to check for any cancers, such as a perianal cancer. Even if it is one, when caught early, these can often be cured. Or, this could be something else like an infected cyst, impacted anal gland, or skin tag. With regards his arthritis, again, please discuss this with your vet so they can help him with pain relief, and anti inflammatory medicine- and any required lifestyle changes. We do also have our highly effective joint care supplement, so do just drop us an email if you'd like any further advice on this :). I hope he is feeling better very soon.
Hi Holly, Thank you for your comment. Anal gland issues can be really confusing when the advice varies. If her glands are consistently full every 4–6 weeks and you’re noticing the fishy smell, regular expressing by a vet or qualified professional is usually the safest option and this won’t cause harm when done properly. Some dogs do learn to empty their glands naturally, but many (especially those with past skin or allergy issues like atopic dermatitis) may continue to need some support because inflammation can affect how well the glands empty on their own. Supporting gut health and keeping stools firm can make a real difference, as firmer stools naturally help express the glands. If you’d like personalised advice on nutrition and diet to support this, feel free to reach out to us at pooch@poochandmutt.com :)