Yes, female dogs have anal glands. Every dog, regardless of sex, is born with two small sacs located just inside the anus, one on each side. These glands serve the same purpose in both males and females, and they’re equally prone to the same problems.
What Anal Glands Do
Anal glands (technically called anal sacs) sit between the two rings of muscle that control the anus. Each sac connects to the outside through a tiny duct that opens at the edge of the anal opening. When your dog has a bowel movement, pressure from the stool naturally squeezes these sacs, releasing a small amount of oily, strong-smelling fluid onto the surface of the feces.
That fluid is packed with volatile chemical compounds that carry a surprising amount of information. It functions as a biological ID card: other dogs can pick up details about your dog’s sex, reproductive state, and individual identity just by sniffing. This is why dogs are so intensely interested in each other’s rear ends and in sniffing feces on walks. The same type of scent gland serves different purposes across species. Skunks use theirs for defense, hyenas and wolves use theirs for territory marking, and ferrets and giant pandas use theirs to recognize individuals.
Research comparing the chemical profiles of anal sac secretions between male and female dogs has found differences in the volatile compounds each sex produces, which likely plays a role in sexual attraction and sex recognition.
How Problems Develop
The most common issue is impaction, which happens when the sacs don’t empty fully during bowel movements. The fluid inside thickens, the gland keeps filling, and the whole area becomes swollen and uncomfortable. Small dogs tend to be more prone to this than large breeds, likely because their narrower ducts clog more easily.
If impaction isn’t addressed, the stagnant fluid can become a breeding ground for bacteria. This leads to infection, known as sacculitis. Left untreated further, the infected sac can develop into an abscess that may eventually rupture through the skin near the anus, releasing pus and blood. A ruptured abscess is painful and needs prompt veterinary care.
These problems affect male and female dogs at similar rates. Early studies on anal sac tumors suggested females might be overrepresented, but larger follow-up studies found no real difference between the sexes.
Signs Your Dog’s Glands Need Attention
The classic sign is scooting: dragging the rear end across the floor or ground. While it can look funny, it’s almost always a sign of discomfort. Other things to watch for include:
- Frequent licking, chewing, or biting at the area around the tail and rear end
- A strong fishy smell that wasn’t there before
- Reluctance to sit or visible discomfort when sitting down
- Whimpering or straining during bowel movements
- Swelling or redness near the anus
Scooting is the most common reason owners discover their dog has anal gland issues, but it’s worth noting that scooting can also result from allergies, tapeworms, or other conditions. If the behavior is persistent, it’s worth getting the actual cause identified rather than assuming.
Expression and Ongoing Care
Most healthy dogs empty their anal glands naturally every time they poop, and those dogs never need any intervention. But some dogs, especially smaller breeds, don’t fully empty their glands on their own and need manual expression, where the glands are gently squeezed to release the built-up fluid.
Professional expression at a vet clinic or groomer typically costs $20 to $40 per visit. How often it’s needed varies widely from dog to dog. Some need it every few weeks, others only once or twice a year, and many never need it at all. Your vet can help you figure out the right schedule based on how quickly your dog’s glands tend to fill.
Some owners learn to express the glands at home, but having a vet or trained groomer handle it reduces the risk of injury or incomplete emptying, which can make the problem worse. If your dog needs frequent expression, your vet may also want to investigate underlying causes like food allergies or consistently soft stools, both of which can prevent the glands from emptying naturally.
Anal Sac Tumors
A less common but more serious concern is anal sac adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that develops in the glandular tissue of the anal sac. It typically occurs in older dogs. Some dogs show no symptoms at all, and the tumor is discovered only during a routine rectal exam. When symptoms do appear, they can include straining to defecate, constipation, decreased appetite, increased thirst and urination, lethargy, or visible swelling near the anus. In some cases, swelling in the hind legs develops.
Diagnosis usually starts with a vet feeling a mass during a rectal exam. Blood work may reveal elevated calcium levels. Imaging such as chest X-rays and abdominal ultrasound helps determine whether the cancer has spread. A biopsy confirms the diagnosis. Because early-stage tumors often produce no obvious signs, routine veterinary exams that include a rectal check are one of the best ways to catch this early.