Dog Anal Glands: Symptoms, Expression, Treatment and Prevention

Dog anal glands are two tiny scent pouches that sit just inside your dog’s anus at roughly four- and eight-o’clock. If anal gland blockages are left untreated, they can turn into painful anal gland abscesses or, in rare cases, anal gland cancer. Knowing how these small but mighty glands work—and the early warning signs—helps dog owners keep their pets comfortable and their homes odour-free.

What Are Anal Glands?

An anal gland is a small, oval pouch lined with special cells that make a thick, musky fluid. There are two glands, one on each side of the anal opening. In the wild, dogs used this fluid to mark territory—a scent “business card” for other animals. In healthy dogs the sacs squeeze out a drop or two every time the dog defecates, thanks to the natural pressure of the stool and muscles around the hind end. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, these glands are “the most common disease site in the anal region” when they clog, swell or get infected. Soft stools, low activity and even narrow ducts in certain breeds can stop normal emptying, leading to impacted anal glands and other anal sac disorders. Keeping the sacs clear is key to maintaining healthy anal glands and avoiding painful trips to the vet.

How to Tell if Your Dog’s Anal Glands Are Full

Dog owners can spare their pets a world of pain by catching dog anal gland issues early. Because the anal glands in dogs are small scent pouches tucked at four- and eight-o’clock beside the anal opening, they should empty each time firm stool passes. When that doesn’t happen, fluid builds up and a chain of anal gland problems begins. Watch for these common signs:

• Scooting or sudden sit-and-spin moves on carpet or grass—pressure in the anal sacs makes your dog itch the hind end.

• Excessive licking or chewing of the anal area; many dogs try to clean leaking anal gland secretions that smell fishy.

• A strong-smelling liquid or brown, oily patch on dog beds or laps—proof the glands involuntarily express because they’re over-full.

• Swelling, redness or a lump beside the dog’s anus; touching it may trigger yelps as the sacs grow sore.

• Drops of blood or pus after your dog defecates—early hints of an anal gland abscess or even a soon-to-burst ruptured gland.

• Hind-end straining during bowel movements, especially in overweight dogs, older dogs, or certain breeds with naturally small sacs.

If you spot any symptoms of blocked anal sacs, book a vet visit fast. A quick rectal exam lets a veterinary professional tell if the anal glands are full and safely relieve the pressure. Left untreated, impacted anal glands can turn into severe anal sac disease, painful anal gland impaction, or—in rare severe cases—even anal gland cancer.

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What Causes Anal Gland Issues?

Dog anal glands usually empty themselves when a firm stool passes, but several factors upset this natural cycle:

• Soft stools from low-fibre diets or tummy bugs fail to press on the sacs.

• Overweight dogs have weaker muscle tone and less exercise, slowing bowel movements.

• Certain breeds, such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Cockapoos, are up to three times more likely to suffer anal sac problems, according to an RVC VetCompass study.

• Food or skin allergies thicken the anal gland secretions, causing blockages.

• Age matters—older dogs produce thicker fluid and strain more at each defecation.

• Previous infection can scar the ducts, leading to chronic anal sac impaction.

Understanding these triggers lets UK dog owners switch to a high-quality diet, trim excess weight and manage allergies—practical steps that keep anal glands in dogs working smoothly.

How to Excrete Dog Anal Glands (Vet Method)

Emptying sacs sounds simple but must be gentle and precise to avoid pain:

1. Preparation – A veterinary professional wears gloves and applies water-based lubricant to the index finger.

2. Positioning – The finger slides just inside at the four-o’clock spot, with the thumb outside the skin at eight-o’clock; this “pinch grip” cups each sac.

3. Milking action – The finger presses forward while the thumb squeezes inward, slowly pushing fluid toward the duct.

4. Observation – Thin, brown fluid is normal. Yellow pus, blood, or gritty clumps signal infection or anal gland impaction that needs flushing.

5. After-care – The area is wiped clean; the vet may rinse the sacs with saline if discharge is thick.

Trying to manually empty anal glands at home without training risks tearing tissue or inducing a painful anal gland impaction. Always ask your vet or a qualified groomer to demonstrate before attempting it yourself.

Treatment Options for Anal Gland Problems

Once anal glands are full, therapy depends on severity:

• Manual expression gives instant relief for simple blockages.

• Flushing plus antibiotic/steroid gel treats infected sacs (anal sacculitis).

• Pain relief and anti-inflammatories ease swelling, especially after an abscess bursts.

• Dietary change—adding insoluble fibre firms stools, helping sacs empty naturally.

• Weight-loss plan for overweight pets; even 10 % off body weight improves hind-end muscle tone.

• Surgery (anal sacculectomy) is a last resort for repeat infections or suspected anal gland cancer.
  Early vet checks mean many dogs avoid surgical risks. Follow-up visits ensure sacs stay clear and prevent chronic anal sac disorders that can cause ongoing discomfort.

How To Maintain Healthy Anal Glands in Dogs

1. Feed for firm stools. A fibre-rich, high-quality diet or 1–2 teaspoons of plain pumpkin in every bowl keeps stools firm. Firm stools squeeze the anal sacs each time the dog defecates, clearing normal anal gland secretions and preventing anal gland impaction or other anal sac problems. Soft stools are the top cause of blocked anal glands.

2. Watch the waistline. Overweight dogs put extra pressure on the hind end, weakening the muscles that help empty the small sacs. The RVC’s VetCompass study shows that dog breeds already prone to anal sac disease (such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Cockapoos) face more than twice the risk of repeat anal gland blockages. Keeping body-condition at 4–5 / 9 slashes flare-ups.

3. Move every day. Regular walks and play keep bowel movements timely and muscles around the dog’s anus toned. Most dogs that exercise daily empty their glands naturally and avoid painful hind-end straining.

4. Plan quarterly vet-nurse visits. A quick rectal exam lets a veterinary professional spot early symptoms of blocked anal sacs and, if needed, manually empty them. Only express when anal glands are full; over-handling can scar tissue and cause chronic anal sac disorders.

5. Tackle allergies early. Itchy skin inflames the anal area and thickens anal gland fluid, paving the way for impacted anal glands and, in severe cases, anal gland abscesses. Use hypoallergenic food or vet-prescribed antihistamines.

6. Groom the rear. Trim long fur around the anal opening and wash away any strong-smelling liquid to stop infection.

7. Spot trouble fast. Scooting, excessive licking, or a fishy odour mean trouble—book a vet visit before a minor clog turns into a ruptured gland or, rarely, anal gland cancer.

Follow these easy habits and most dogs—young or older, big or with small sacs—keep healthy anal glands, sparing owners cost, smell, and their pet real pain.

Prevention Anal Glands in Dogs

• Walk at least 30 minutes each day; exercise helps most dogs empty their sacs without manual help.

• Offer fresh water at all times. Good hydration keeps stools moist but firm—perfect for clearing the small sacs.

• Groom the rear: trim long fur around the anal opening and wipe away any strong-smelling liquid to stop infection.

• Feed a balanced, high-quality diet with 3 %–5 % crude fibre; soft stools are a leading cause of blocked anal glands.

• Watch for early signs—scooting, excessive licking, hind-end straining—and call your local vet before the issue turns into an anal gland abscess.

Home Care

• Warm compresses – Hold a warm, damp flannel on the anal sacs for five minutes, twice a day, to ease discomfort.

• Soft bedding & rest – Give a thick blanket so lying down doesn’t press on sore glands.

• Short, frequent walks – Gentle movement encourages bowel movements without over-exerting the hind end.

• Fibre boost – Stick to small, fibre-rich meals for a week; firm stools prevent re-blocking.

• Monitor the site – Check daily for swelling, pus or a fishy smell. If you spot these, or your dog shows pain, book a vet visit immediately—these can be signs of a ruptured gland or infection.

Can All Dogs Get Blocked Anal Glands?

• Yes—any breed, any age. But statistics from the RVC VetCompass study show anal sac disorders affect 4.4 % of UK dogs seen by first-opinion vets.

• Toy and small breeds (e.g., Cocker Spaniel, Bichon Frise) top the risk list because their sacs are proportionally smaller and clog faster.

• Older dogs make thicker secretions and move less, which can lead to impacted anal glands.

• Dogs with chronic soft stools—from low-fibre diets or gut upsets—also face higher odds.

• Bottom line: every owner should know signs of anal pain, regardless of breed size.

FAQs

How do you know if your dog needs glands expressed?

Watch for common signs: scooting, fishy odour, swelling beside the anus, or pain on sitting. A quick rectal exam by a vet confirms if the sacs are full.

How can I treat my dog’s glands at home?

After a vet shows you the safe method, you may gently manually empty the sacs using a lubricated index finger and gauze. Never force it; severe cases need professional flushing. Warm compresses, fibre boosts and weight control all help between vet visits.

What foods help dogs express glands?

High-fibre choices like plain pumpkin, brown rice, and vet-formulated gastrointestinal kibble create firm stools that squeeze the sacs each time the dog defecates. Always switch foods gradually and seek veterinary advice before major diet changes.

Conclusion

Anal gland problems hurt, smell and—if left untreated—can end in surgery. Yet most dogs can stay comfortable with simple, science-backed care: feed fibre, keep weight healthy, watch for early signs and let a veterinary professional handle tough blockages.