Most German Shepherds do not need routine anal gland expression. Healthy dogs naturally empty these small sacs every time they pass a firm stool. However, German Shepherds are uniquely predisposed to a condition called perianal fistulas, which can interfere with normal gland function and create problems that other breeds rarely face. So the short answer is: not as a routine practice, but you should know the warning signs that signal your dog needs help.
How Anal Glands Work Normally
Dogs have two small sacs sitting just inside the anus, at roughly the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions. These sacs collect an oily, strong-smelling secretion produced by a mix of glands in the lining. Every time your dog has a bowel movement, the pressure of the stool passing through naturally squeezes the sacs and releases a small amount of fluid. This is why healthy dogs never need manual help.
The secretion serves as a chemical signature. It’s part of why dogs sniff each other’s rear ends and why they’re so interested in other dogs’ feces on walks. The scent profile is individual to each dog and even changes during a female’s heat cycle. Dogs also release the fluid involuntarily when frightened, which is why you might notice a sudden fishy smell during a stressful vet visit or thunderstorm.
Why German Shepherds Face Higher Risk
German Shepherds have a specific vulnerability that sets them apart from most other breeds: perianal fistulas. These are painful, tunnel-like wounds that develop around the anus, and German Shepherds account for up to 84% of all diagnosed cases. The breed’s low-set tail, broad tail base, and the way the tail sits close to the body are all thought to contribute by trapping moisture and bacteria in the perianal area.
Perianal fistulas cause inflammation and scarring around the anal sac ducts, which can block normal drainage. When the ducts can’t open properly, the glands become impacted, difficult to express, or may even rupture. This is different from the garden-variety impaction that any breed can get. In German Shepherds, anal gland problems are often a secondary symptom of fistula disease rather than a standalone issue, and treating only the glands without addressing the underlying fistulas won’t solve the problem.
Signs Your Dog’s Glands Need Attention
The most common signal is scooting, where your dog drags their rear end across the floor or grass. Other signs include persistent licking or biting at the anal area, a strong fishy odor that lingers on furniture or flooring, and visible swelling or redness beside the anus. If you notice discharge, especially bloody discharge, that points to possible infection or abscess rather than simple fullness.
In German Shepherds specifically, also watch for moist, raw-looking sores around the tail base and anus. These could indicate fistulas forming. Your dog may become reluctant to sit, strain during bowel movements, or show pain when the tail is lifted. These signs warrant a veterinary visit rather than a trip to the groomer for expression.
Why Routine Expression Can Backfire
Some groomers offer anal gland expression as part of a standard grooming package, and it’s tempting to add it “just in case.” But veterinary evidence suggests this can do more harm than good in a healthy dog. Overexpression irritates the delicate tissue around the sacs and surrounding area, which can actually trigger the inflammation and swelling that leads to impaction. In other words, the preventive measure becomes the cause of the problem.
A cross-sectional study on anal sac disease noted that while routine expression is sometimes performed to prevent impaction or relapse, it “should be performed carefully as it can also initiate irritation of the anal sacs and surrounding tissues, which might even enhance recurrences or progression to infection.” For a breed already prone to perianal inflammation, unnecessary manipulation of that area is particularly risky.
The practical rule: if your German Shepherd is passing firm stools, isn’t scooting, and shows no signs of discomfort, leave the glands alone.
External vs. Internal Expression
When expression is needed, there are two approaches. External expression involves gentle pressure on the outside of the glands through the skin beside the anus. This is the only method that should be attempted at home, and only if a veterinarian has shown you how. If your dog reacts with pain during the process, stop immediately.
Internal expression, where a gloved finger is inserted into the rectum to compress each sac individually, is more thorough and better at fully emptying glands that are truly impacted. This technique is best left to veterinary staff. It allows them to feel the consistency of the fluid (which helps diagnose infection or thickening) and ensures the sacs are completely emptied. For German Shepherds with recurrent issues, internal expression at the vet’s office is generally more effective than external expression at a grooming salon.
Dietary Changes That Help
The single most effective thing you can do at home is ensure your German Shepherd consistently produces firm, well-formed stools. Bulkier stool creates more pressure against the glands during defecation, promoting natural expression with every bathroom trip. Soft or loose stools don’t generate enough pressure, which is why dogs with digestive issues or food sensitivities often develop gland problems.
Adding fiber to the diet is the most straightforward fix. Options include:
- Canned pumpkin (plain, not pie filling): a common first choice because most dogs eat it willingly
- Psyllium husk: a soluble fiber that absorbs water and bulks up stool effectively; the same ingredient in Metamucil
- Ground vegetables: carrots, apples, and green beans all add fiber, but they need to be ground or pureed since dogs can’t break down whole vegetable matter well
- Oatmeal, rice, or barley: added in small amounts for dogs that tolerate grains
High-fiber commercial dog foods are another option, including grain-free formulas for dogs with grain sensitivities. The key is to increase fiber gradually. A sudden jump can cause gas and loose stools, which defeats the purpose.
The Allergy Connection
German Shepherds are also prone to both environmental and food allergies, and there’s a meaningful overlap between allergic skin disease and anal gland trouble. Allergic inflammation affects skin throughout the body, including the tissue lining the anal sacs. Chronically inflamed sac linings produce thicker secretions that don’t drain as easily, setting the stage for impaction.
If your German Shepherd has recurrent anal gland issues alongside itchy skin, ear infections, or paw licking, the gland problems may be a symptom of a broader allergic condition. Addressing the allergy, whether through diet changes or other management, often reduces or eliminates the gland issues as a side benefit.
When Surgery Becomes an Option
For dogs with chronic, severe anal gland disease that doesn’t respond to other treatment, surgical removal of one or both sacs (anal sacculectomy) is an option. This permanently eliminates the source of the problem. In one study of dogs undergoing the procedure, no dogs experienced permanent fecal incontinence, straining, or narrowing of the anal opening, though about 36% had some short-term postoperative complications. The surgery is typically reserved for cases involving repeated abscesses, glands that refill within days of being expressed, or tumors of the anal sac.
For German Shepherds with perianal fistulas, treatment usually focuses on the fistula disease itself, often with immune-modulating medications, rather than jumping straight to gland removal. Resolving the fistulas frequently restores normal gland function on its own.