Internal expression is the most thorough way to empty a dog’s anal glands, using a gloved finger inside the rectum to squeeze each gland from behind. It’s the same method veterinarians use, and while it’s not complicated, it does require some comfort with the process and a cooperative dog. Most dogs naturally empty their anal sacs every time they have a bowel movement, so this is only necessary for dogs with recurring problems, ideally after a vet has confirmed the need and shown you the technique in person.
Signs Your Dog’s Glands Need Attention
Full or blocked anal glands cause unmistakable behavior changes. The classic sign is scooting, where your dog drags their rear end along the ground. You may also notice them licking or nibbling at their anus and lower back, straining during bowel movements, or suddenly sitting down and whipping their head around to look at their backside. Some dogs yelp or flinch when their rear is touched. A strong, fishy smell that lingers even after a bath is another giveaway.
These signs can also indicate infection or abscess, not just fullness. If you see swelling, redness, or any discharge (especially bloody or greenish) near the anus, that’s beyond the scope of home expression and needs veterinary care. The same applies if your dog seems to be in significant pain when you touch the area.
Why Internal Expression Works Better
There are two methods for expressing anal glands: external and internal. External expression involves pressing on the outside of the glands with your fingers, squeezing inward toward the anus. It’s simpler but often fails to fully empty the sacs, which can leave behind thickened material and lead to impaction over time.
Internal expression lets you feel the gland directly between your finger and thumb, so you can gauge its size, assess how full it is, and milk it completely. A full anal gland feels like a small grape, roughly 1 centimeter across, and is soft to the touch. You can tell when it’s empty because your finger and thumb will nearly meet with nothing between them. That level of feedback is impossible with external-only pressure.
What You’ll Need
- Disposable medical gloves (latex or nitrile)
- Petroleum jelly for lubrication
- Paper towels or gauze to catch the secretion
- A towel to place under your dog
- Warm soapy water and a washcloth for cleanup
- Dog treats or a lick mat with peanut butter to keep your dog distracted and still
- A trash bag for disposal
Do this in a bathroom or laundry room with easy-to-clean surfaces. The secretion smells terrible, similar to a skunk’s spray, and you don’t want it on carpet or upholstery.
Step-by-Step Internal Expression
Have a second person hold your dog steady if possible. Small dogs can stand on a table; larger dogs are easier on the floor. A lick mat smeared with peanut butter and stuck to a wall or surface at nose height works well as a distraction. Place the towel beneath your dog’s rear end.
Put on your gloves and apply a generous amount of petroleum jelly to your index finger. Lift your dog’s tail gently with your free hand. Insert your index finger into the anus using slow, gentle pressure with a slight twisting motion. Hold a piece of gauze or paper towel in the palm of the same hand, cupped under the remaining fingers, so secretion has somewhere to go.
If you picture the anus as a clock face, the two glands sit at roughly the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions, just inside the opening. Start with one side. You’ll feel the gland as a small, round, somewhat firm structure between your inserted index finger and your thumb, which stays on the outside of the skin.
To express the gland, gently pinch it between your index finger and thumb and “milk” it by starting at the far edge (away from the anus) and squeezing toward the opening. The duct empties near the anal rim, so you’re directing fluid toward that exit point. The secretion should release without heavy pressure, especially if it’s still liquid. Keep squeezing until you feel the gland flatten and your finger and thumb nearly touch each other.
Without removing your finger, rotate it to locate the gland on the opposite side and repeat the process. Keeping your finger inserted the whole time avoids the discomfort of a second insertion. If that’s too awkward, you can withdraw and use your other hand for the second gland, but one insertion is easier on the dog.
Normal anal gland secretion ranges from thin and yellowish-brown to slightly thicker and tan. If the material is very thick, gritty, grey, green, or bloody, stop and have your vet evaluate the glands. These are signs of impaction or infection that home expression won’t resolve safely.
After Expression
Clean the area with warm soapy water and a washcloth. Give your dog a treat and some praise. Dispose of the gauze, gloves, and paper towels in a sealed trash bag to contain the smell. Wash your hands thoroughly even though you wore gloves.
Mild redness around the anus afterward is normal. If your dog continues scooting or licking the area for more than a day or two after expression, the glands may not have been fully emptied or there could be an underlying issue worth a vet visit.
How Often Dogs Typically Need Expression
There’s no universal schedule. Most dogs never need manual expression at all because normal bowel movements create enough pressure to empty the sacs naturally. Dogs that do need help tend to fall into a pattern you’ll learn over time, often every 4 to 8 weeks, though some need it more or less frequently. Your vet can help you identify the right interval based on how quickly your dog’s glands refill.
Expressing glands too frequently on a dog that doesn’t need it can cause irritation and inflammation, potentially creating the very problem you’re trying to prevent. Only do this if your vet has confirmed your dog has a recurring issue.
Reducing the Need for Manual Expression
Firmer, bulkier stools put more natural pressure on the anal glands during defecation, which is often enough to keep them draining on their own. Adding fiber to your dog’s diet is the most common way to achieve this. Psyllium husk, cellulose, and canned plain pumpkin (not pie filling) are all widely used fiber supplements for dogs. Research published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that dogs with large bowel issues responded to a median dose of about 2 tablespoons of psyllium fiber per day, though the effective range varied widely from a quarter tablespoon to 6 tablespoons depending on the dog’s size and condition.
Start with a small amount and increase gradually. Too much fiber too quickly causes gas and loose stools, which defeats the purpose. Your vet can recommend the right starting dose for your dog’s size. Maintaining a healthy weight also helps, since overweight dogs tend to have weaker muscle tone around the anal area, making natural expression less effective.