French Bulldogs are one of the breeds most prone to anal gland problems, thanks to their compact build and often soft stools. Expressing these glands at home is straightforward once you know the technique, though it helps to understand what you’re working with and when to leave it to a professional.
What Anal Glands Are and Why They Fill Up
Your French Bulldog has two small sacs sitting just inside the anal opening, at roughly the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions if you picture the anus as a clock face. These sacs produce a small amount of strong-smelling fluid (related to the scent glands in skunks) that normally gets squeezed out naturally every time your dog has a firm bowel movement. When the sacs don’t empty on their own, the fluid builds up, thickens, and becomes uncomfortable or even painful.
French Bulldogs are especially prone to this because many of them have chronically soft stool, which doesn’t create enough pressure against the glands during defecation. Allergies, obesity, and the breed’s overall anatomy also contribute.
Signs Your Frenchie’s Glands Need Attention
The most recognizable sign is scooting: dragging the rear end across the floor. But that’s not the only one. Watch for licking or biting at the anal area, straining during bowel movements, a sudden fishy smell, or visible discomfort when sitting. If you press gently on either side of the anus and feel a firm, grape-sized lump, the gland on that side is likely full or impacted.
More serious signs point to infection or abscess. These include swelling or redness around the anus, discolored skin, bloody or pus-like discharge, or a wound that appears to have opened near the rear. If you see any of these, skip the home approach entirely and head to the vet. An infected or abscessed gland needs medical treatment, and attempting to express it yourself risks causing a rupture.
What You’ll Need
- Disposable medical gloves (latex or nitrile)
- Petroleum jelly for lubrication
- Paper towels, several layers
- A towel to place under your dog
- Warm soapy water and a washcloth for cleanup
- Treats or a lick mat with peanut butter to keep your Frenchie distracted and cooperative
- A trash bag for disposal (the smell is intense)
Do this in a bathroom or other easy-to-clean space. The fluid that comes out can spray, and it smells far worse than you’d expect.
External Expression: Step by Step
External expression is the preferred method for home use. It’s less invasive than the internal technique (which involves inserting a finger into the rectum) and carries less risk of injury. Internal expression empties the glands more completely, but it’s best left to a vet or experienced groomer.
Start by setting up your lick mat or having a helper hold your Frenchie steady. Place the towel underneath. Put on your gloves and apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to your thumb and forefinger.
Lift your dog’s tail gently. Locate the glands by feeling for two small, firm, rounded masses just below and to either side of the anus, at those 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions. They sit just beneath the muscular ring of the anal sphincter. A full gland feels like a firm marble or small grape. If you can’t feel anything distinct, the glands may not need expressing.
Place a folded paper towel over the area to catch the discharge. With your thumb on one side and your forefinger on the other, position your fingers just below and slightly behind each gland. Apply gentle, steady inward and upward pressure, as if you’re trying to squeeze the contents toward the opening of the anus. Think of it like pressing the last bit of toothpaste from the bottom of a tube toward the nozzle.
You should see a brownish, oily fluid come out onto the paper towel. The consistency can range from thin and watery to thick and paste-like. If the fluid is very dark, greenish, bloody, or chunky, that suggests infection, and you should stop and contact your vet.
Work one gland at a time. If the fluid isn’t coming out with gentle pressure, do not squeeze harder. Forcing it can rupture the gland, which turns a minor issue into a painful, serious one. If gentle pressure doesn’t work, the material inside may be too thick or impacted for external expression, and your dog needs professional help.
Once both glands are emptied, clean the area with warm soapy water and the washcloth. Reward your Frenchie generously.
How Often to Express
There’s no universal schedule. Some French Bulldogs need their glands expressed every 4 to 6 weeks, while others go months without any issues. The goal is always to let the glands empty naturally during defecation. Expressing too frequently can actually irritate the gland lining and create a cycle where the glands fill up faster than they otherwise would.
Only express when you notice symptoms (scooting, licking, odor, visible fullness). If you find yourself needing to do it more than once a month, talk to your vet about underlying causes like diet, allergies, or whether your dog is a candidate for gland removal surgery.
Reducing the Need for Manual Expression
The single most effective change is firming up your dog’s stool. A bulkier, firmer stool puts more natural pressure on the glands during defecation, which is how they’re designed to empty. Adding fiber to your Frenchie’s diet is the most direct way to accomplish this.
Canned plain pumpkin (not pie filling) is a popular and inexpensive option. A tablespoon mixed into food once daily works for most French Bulldogs. Psyllium husk is another effective fiber source. There are also commercial supplements formulated specifically for anal gland support that combine fiber with digestive enzymes and probiotics. These typically come as soft chews and use ingredients like pumpkin, psyllium, and inulin.
Beyond fiber, maintaining a healthy weight matters. Excess body fat changes the anatomy around the glands and reduces the mechanical pressure that helps them empty. If your Frenchie has food allergies or sensitivities causing chronic soft stool, addressing those through an elimination diet or veterinary guidance will often resolve recurring gland problems at the source.
Professional Expression: What to Expect
If you’re not comfortable doing this at home, or if your dog’s glands are consistently difficult to empty, a vet or groomer can handle it quickly. Most veterinary clinics charge around $40 for an anal gland expression, though prices vary by location. Many groomers also offer the service, often at a lower cost, though they typically only do external expression.
A vet can perform internal expression, which empties the glands more thoroughly and allows them to assess the fluid for signs of infection. If your Frenchie has recurring impaction, bloody discharge, or signs of pain, the vet visit is worth it for the diagnostic value alone. They can examine the fluid under a microscope to check for bacteria, yeast, or inflammatory cells that signal a condition called anal sacculitis, which may need targeted treatment.