The most effective way to relieve your dog’s anal glands is to manually express them, either at home using an external technique or at a veterinary clinic where staff can perform a more thorough internal expression. Most dogs empty their anal sacs naturally during bowel movements, but when the fluid builds up and doesn’t release on its own, you’ll need to step in or get professional help.
Dogs have two small pouches located on either side of the anus, sitting at roughly the four o’clock and eight o’clock positions. These sacs produce a pungent, oily secretion that acts as a scent marker, essentially a chemical calling card dogs use for territorial communication. Normally, the pressure of a firm bowel movement squeezes the sacs and releases this fluid. Problems start when the fluid thickens, the sacs don’t empty properly, and the buildup causes discomfort or infection.
Signs Your Dog’s Glands Need Attention
The most recognizable sign is scooting: your dog dragging its rear end across the floor to put pressure on the glands and force the fluid out. You may also notice your dog licking or biting at its rear end more than usual, or straining during bowel movements. A strong, fishy odor that seems to come from nowhere is another telltale sign. In some cases, you’ll see a brownish discharge near the anus or on your dog’s bedding.
These symptoms typically mean the glands are full or impacted. Impaction happens when the secretion becomes too thick and pasty to drain naturally. Left untreated, impacted glands can become infected, forming an abscess that appears as a red, swollen area beside the anus. In severe cases, the abscess can rupture through the skin, releasing pus and blood. If you notice swelling, redness, or any bloody discharge near the anus, that’s beyond home care and needs veterinary treatment.
How to Express Anal Glands at Home
The external method is the one most pet owners can safely do themselves. It’s less thorough than what a vet performs, but for glands that are simply full (not infected or severely impacted), it often does the job. Before you start, gather your supplies:
- Disposable medical gloves
- Paper towels or a rag
- Petroleum jelly
- A towel to place under your dog
- Warm soapy water and a washcloth
- Dog treats (a lick mat with peanut butter works well as a distraction)
- A trash bag
Put on your gloves and position your dog standing on the towel. Lift the tail gently. Hold a paper towel or rag directly over the anus, then place your thumb and forefinger on either side of the anus, roughly at the four o’clock and eight o’clock positions where the sacs sit beneath the skin. Apply steady, inward and upward pressure, squeezing both sides simultaneously toward the opening. The fluid should release onto the paper towel. It’s thin and brownish when healthy, with a very strong smell.
Once you’ve finished, use the washcloth and warm soapy water to clean the area around your dog’s rear. Reward your dog with a treat. The entire process takes a few minutes, though having a second person hold your dog steady makes it much easier.
When External Expression Isn’t Enough
If the secretion has become very thick or pasty, the external method often can’t generate enough pressure to fully empty the sacs. In these cases, a veterinarian or vet technician will perform an internal expression: inserting a lubricated, gloved finger into the anus and squeezing each sac individually between the finger and thumb. This is significantly more effective at clearing out thickened material and is the standard approach at vet clinics. Many groomers also offer external expression, but if your dog has recurring problems, a vet’s internal technique is the better option.
Dogs with chronic anal gland issues typically need expression every 3 to 8 weeks, depending on the individual. There’s some debate about whether overly frequent manual expression can irritate the tissue and create a cycle of dependency, so it’s worth discussing the right schedule with your vet rather than doing it on a rigid timeline.
Using Diet to Prevent Buildup
The single most effective long-term strategy is bulking up your dog’s stool. Firmer, larger stools put more natural pressure on the anal sacs during defecation, helping them empty the way they’re designed to. A high-fiber diet is the simplest way to achieve this.
Plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling, which contains sugar and spices) is a popular and effective fiber supplement. The general dosing guidelines by weight:
- Small dogs (under 20 lbs): 1 to 2 teaspoons per day, split between meals
- Medium dogs (20 to 50 lbs): 1 to 2 tablespoons per day, split between meals
- Large dogs (over 50 lbs): 2 to 4 tablespoons per day, split between meals
You can also add psyllium husk fiber to your dog’s food for a similar stool-bulking effect. Start with small amounts and increase gradually to avoid digestive upset. Some owners find that switching to a higher-fiber commercial dog food resolves the problem entirely, especially for breeds prone to anal gland issues like Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, and smaller breeds in general.
What Happens if Glands Get Infected
An infected anal gland progresses from impaction to abscess, and the signs escalate quickly. You’ll see visible swelling and redness on one or both sides of the anus. Your dog may cry out when sitting or refuse to sit at all. The area will feel warm to the touch. If the abscess ruptures on its own, you’ll notice an open wound draining pus or blood-tinged fluid near the anus.
Veterinary treatment for an abscess involves sedation or anesthesia so the area can be shaved, cleaned, and drained if the abscess hasn’t already ruptured. Your dog will go home with antibiotics and pain medication, along with an Elizabethan collar (the “cone of shame”) to prevent licking while the wound heals. Recovery typically takes one to two weeks.
For dogs that develop repeated infections or abscesses, surgical removal of the anal sacs (sacculectomy) becomes an option. This is a permanent solution, but it carries a small risk of complications including fecal incontinence, so it’s generally reserved for dogs whose quality of life is significantly affected by chronic anal gland problems.