External anal gland expression is a technique you can do at home using your thumb and forefinger on the outside of your dog’s anus, gently squeezing the fluid out of two small sacs located just beneath the skin. It’s simpler than the internal method, though it may not empty the glands as completely. Most dogs never need manual expression at all, so this is only worth learning if your vet has confirmed your dog has recurring issues and has shown you the process in person first.
Why Dogs Need Their Glands Expressed
Dogs have two small sacs, one on each side of the anus, that produce a strong-smelling fluid used as a territorial scent marker. Normally, pressure from a firm bowel movement squeezes these sacs and releases the fluid naturally. You might also notice it released when a dog is nervous or excited.
Problems start when the fluid doesn’t drain on its own. It thickens, the sacs become overly full, and eventually the glands become impacted. Signs that your dog’s glands need attention include scooting (dragging their bottom along the floor), licking or nibbling at the area around the anus, straining to poop, flinching or showing pain when their back end is touched, and suddenly sitting down or whipping around to look at their rear. If you’re seeing these behaviors regularly, a vet visit is the right first step to rule out infection or abscess before you attempt anything at home.
External vs. Internal Expression
There are two methods. External expression uses only your fingers on the outside of the skin. Internal expression involves inserting a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel and compress each gland individually. Internal expression allows more complete removal of the material, but it requires more skill and comfort with the anatomy. External expression is the method most often recommended for at-home use because it’s less invasive and carries a lower risk of injury.
The trade-off is that external expression sometimes doesn’t fully empty the glands, especially if the fluid has thickened significantly. If your dog’s symptoms don’t improve after an external expression, or if the glands feel very firm and you can’t get anything out, that’s a sign the problem may need internal expression or veterinary attention.
What You’ll Need
- Disposable gloves: The fluid is extremely pungent and can linger on skin for hours.
- Paper towels or a warm washcloth: Hold this over the area to catch the discharge as it comes out.
- A second person (ideally): Someone to gently hold your dog still and keep them calm.
Many people choose to do this in the bathtub or outside, since the smell is significant and the discharge can stain. A warm washcloth held against the area for a minute beforehand can help soften the material and make expression easier.
Step-by-Step External Technique
If you picture your dog’s anus as a clock face, the two glands sit at roughly the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions, just inside the outer rim. They feel like small, firm, grape-sized lumps beneath the skin when they’re full. If you can’t feel them at all, they may already be empty, and you should not attempt to squeeze.
Have your dog stand on a stable surface, or position them so their rear is accessible and they’re comfortable. Lift the tail gently upward to expose the anal area. Place a paper towel or washcloth directly over the anus to catch the discharge.
Using your thumb and forefinger on the outside of the skin, locate one gland. Position your fingers on either side of it, slightly below and to the side of the anus. Apply gentle, steady pressure inward and upward, “milking” the contents toward the anal opening. Think of it as guiding the fluid from the bottom of the sac toward the center. The discharge should come out through the tiny duct opening near the edge of the anus.
Healthy anal gland fluid is thin and brownish. If what comes out is very thick, paste-like, greenish, or bloody, stop and contact your vet. Those are signs of impaction or infection that need professional treatment.
Once one side is done, repeat on the other. The entire process should take only a minute or two per gland. If your dog yelps, tenses significantly, or you feel hard resistance, stop. Forcing the gland can rupture it, which is painful and leads to further complications including abscess.
How Much Pressure Is Safe
The most common mistake is squeezing too hard. The pressure should be gentle and gradual. You’re coaxing fluid through a small duct, not popping a balloon. If nothing comes out with moderate pressure, the material may be too thick for external expression, and pushing harder risks rupturing the gland or bruising the surrounding tissue. An improper expression can cause incomplete draining or gland rupture, both of which are painful and can lead to infection.
You should also never express glands that don’t need it. Most dogs empty their glands naturally every time they have a bowel movement. Routine unnecessary expression can actually cause irritation and inflammation, creating a problem where none existed.
How Often to Express
There is no universal schedule. Some dogs with chronic issues need expression every 3 to 4 weeks, while others only have occasional problems. The right frequency depends on your individual dog and should be guided by your vet’s recommendation based on how quickly the glands refill and whether symptoms return. If you find yourself needing to do this more than once a month, it’s worth discussing long-term solutions with your vet, as very frequent impaction can sometimes point to underlying issues like allergies, soft stool, or anatomical factors.
Keeping the Glands Healthy Long-Term
The single most effective preventive measure is firm stool. A bulky, well-formed bowel movement puts natural pressure on the anal sacs during defecation, which is exactly how they’re designed to empty. Dogs with chronically soft stool miss out on that mechanical pressure, and the glands gradually overfill.
Adding fiber to your dog’s diet can help firm up stool. Canned plain pumpkin (not pie filling) is a common and vet-approved option. Some owners use psyllium husk or commercial high-fiber supplements designed for dogs. The goal isn’t hard stool, just consistently formed stool that provides enough bulk to compress the glands on its way out. If your dog has persistent soft stool despite dietary changes, that’s a separate issue worth investigating, as food sensitivities and digestive conditions are common culprits.
Maintaining a healthy weight also matters. Overweight dogs tend to have more anal gland problems, partly because excess tissue around the rear end reduces the natural pressure that helps the glands empty during defecation.
Signs to Stop and Call Your Vet
Not every full gland is safe to express at home. If you notice swelling, redness, or heat around one or both sides of the anus, the gland may be abscessed rather than simply impacted. An abscess is an infection that can rupture through the skin if left untreated, and squeezing it will make things significantly worse. Other red flags include discharge that is bloody or greenish, an open wound or draining sore near the anus, and a dog that is in obvious pain and won’t let you touch the area. These situations need veterinary care, not home expression.