How to Know if Your Dog's Anal Glands Need Expressed?

Written by Amanda Chambers DVM

Updated

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A Beagle puppy sits on a green lawn, gazing off into the distance with its floppy ears hanging down.

I’ve found that some owners aren’t even aware of a dog’s anal glands until they start having issues with them. All dogs and cats have anal glands. They are small glands found on each side of the anus that produce a smelly liquid. They serve an unclear purpose, but it is theorized to be for marking territory when a dog has a bowel movement.  

Anal Gland Expression in Dogs 

In most dogs, the glands are expressed naturally when they defecate, but not always. Identifying anal gland issues early is important to provide relief to your pup as well as to avoid more severe complications like anal sacculitis or even anal gland rupture.  

Signs of Dog Anal Gland Issues 

Watching your dog for a few specific behaviors can help you identify potential anal gland issues early. While we may see a dog scooting and think it’s cute or funny, this behavior can actually be indicative of underlying health issues, including anal gland issues. Your dog may scoot or lick their bottom in an attempt to release their glands if they are not expressing themselves. If successful, these behaviors will likely be accompanied by an unpleasant odor and a small amount of brown liquid. Anal glands produce a very distinct strong and fishy odor. In more severe cases, owners may note swelling or redness around the anus and sometimes even discomfort or straining during bowel movements. A continued duration of the milder signs or any of the more severe signs should prompt a veterinary visit to have your pet’s anal glands evaluated.  

A puppy with a fluffy coat stands on a gravel path, looking back over its shoulder, and curious expression

How Do You Know If Your Dog’s Anal Glands Need to Be Expressed? 

When the anal glands become extremely full, it is difficult for them to express naturally with a bowel movement, in which case they may need to be manually expressed. This can be done at a veterinary office or by an experienced groomer. It is a good idea to have a veterinarian perform a thorough rectal exam if your dog is regularly having abnormal bowel movements or anal gland issues to ensure there isn’t an underlying internal cause. Owners can learn to express anal glands at home, but most prefer to have a professional perform this task to ensure it is done correctly and well and to avoid the strong odor that follows.  

How To Check Dog Anal Glands 

Dogs who have continued anal gland issues can benefit from regular expression to ensure the glands do not get too full. This may be monthly, or this may be quarterly; it is best to find what frequency works best for your individual pet. As firm, regular bowel movements are more likely to promote natural excretion, pets with anal gland issues can benefit from fiber supplementation. Owners can consider adding a little canned pumpkin to their pet’s diet or can purchase an anal gland supplement, which is typically a combination of fiber and a probiotic. While not every dog sees resolution with these supplements, it may be just the thing for some individuals to be able to avoid the need for more regular manual anal gland expression.  

Do All Dogs Need Their Anal Glands Expressed? 

There are a few things that can predispose a dog to anal gland issues. There does not seem to be a particular breed that has anal gland issues more than others, but they do seem to be more prevalent among smaller breed dogs compared to larger breeds. As firm, regular bowel movements are important to natural release of the anal glands, pets who are having infrequent or too soft of stools may not be releasing their glands well on their own. A high-quality balanced diet with fiber can help maintain more normal stools.  

Pets who are overweight, and therefore have more fat deposited on their rear, also tend to have more anal gland issues. In overweight pets, losing weight can help with anal gland problems. 

A dog lying on the floor, appearing relaxed but slightly tense, as it rests its head on its paws. The dog's position may indicate mild discomfort related to its anal glands, a common issue for many dogs that can cause scooting or restlessness.

Caring For Your Pup’s Anal Glands 

Keeping a close eye on your pet and monitoring for changes in their behavior is essential as they cannot tell us when something is wrong. It is our responsibility as pet owners to pay attention and to have our precious pups examined by their veterinarian annually.  

Anal gland issues can be stinky and expensive. Having pet insurance in place prior to the onset of such issues can help give owners the financial security to provide gold standard care for their pets. From the routine to the not so routine, Embrace aims to let owners feel confident they can approve their vet to provide the best care. Optional, non-insurance wellness packages can be added to your plan to help with routine care like vaccine and dog teeth cleaning costs, and can even be used for grooming—including getting those anal glands professionally expressed.

Monitoring Your Dog’s Anal Glands 

Watch your pup’s bowel movements and keep an eye out for any abnormal behaviors such as scooting or licking that could indicate an anal gland issue. These issues can be extremely uncomfortable and can progress to inflammation and rupture if not treated. It is much better to be proactive than to have to deal with the consequences of waiting too long.