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Have you ever seen your dog scooting around on the floor? It’s a common sign that your dog might need their anal glands expressed — in other words, releasing a buildup of smelly fluid. Though it doesn’t sound appealing, expressing your dog’s anal glands can help relieve the discomfort that dogs experience when the glands are full. It can also help prevent infections from developing.
In This Article
Expressing anal glands is a smelly, and sometimes messy part of grooming. Many owners opt to have it done by a groomer or at the vet. However, anal gland expression is something you can do at home and isn’t too challenging.
What Are Anal Glands?
Located on either side of a dog’s anus, anal glands naturally produce an oily fluid. Dogs use their anal glands for scent and territorial marking. When dogs leave behind a scent that can be communicated to other dogs, it’s called “expressing” their anal glands. Anal glands also help to lubricate a dog’s body naturally while pooping.
Signs Your Dog May Need Anal Gland Expression
A dog in need of anal gland expression will usually show physical symptoms. Signs to watch for include a sour, almost fishy odor, your dog licking excessively at their bottom, or scooting their butt on the floor in an effort to get some relief. In more serious instances, symptoms of impacted anal glands include discharge from the glands and a dog being reluctant to sit.
Many dogs never need their anal glands expressed, but other dogs need it done regularly. “In my practice, we express anal glands if pets are scooting, licking, or having discomfort when defecating,” explains veterinarian Dr. Jolee Stegemoller, DVM. “For dogs with anal gland issues, they are often expressed every 4–8 weeks, usually coordinating with their grooming schedule.”
Are Certain Dogs Prone to Needing Their Anal Glands Expressed?
Several health conditions can make dogs more prone to needing their anal glands manually expressed. Dr. Stegemoller explains that “dogs with allergies and obesity often have more difficulty expressing anal glands naturally,” requiring owners to have them expressed.
She also notes that “dogs with recent episodes of diarrhea or chronically soft stool may also need to have anal glands expressed more often.” Dr. Stegemoller observed that in her practice, smaller breeds of dogs tend to be more likely to need their anal glands expressed than large dogs, but it’s an issue that can impact any size or breed of dog.
Tips for a Stress-Free Experience
While not a fun part of grooming, the best way to make the anal gland expression experience stress-free for your dog is to get them comfortable with being handled. If your dog is comfortable with being touched and handled on all areas of their body before you need to express their anal glands, it can make the experience less confusing and upsetting for your dog.
Training your dog to be comfortable being handled will make intrusive handling easier when it’s necessary at the vet, at home, or at the groomer. To get started getting your dog used to handling, start touching different parts of their body, pairing the touch with praise and rewards.
Supplies You’ll Need
Before you express your dog’s anal glands, collect the necessary supplies. This way, you can get the job done quickly and keep things clean. Expressing anal glands can be stressful for everyone involved. It’s best to do it in a quiet area without a lot of distractions. Supplies you’ll want to have on hand include:
- Disposable medical gloves
- Dog grooming wipes, baby wipes, and/or paper towels
- Petroleum jelly to use as a lubricant
- An old towel
- A bowl of warm water
- Washcloths
- Dog treats
- Trash bag
- Something to keep your dog occupied, like a lick mat with peanut butter or another spreadable treat
Expressing Dog Anal Glands
If a dog can’t naturally express their anal glands, doing so provides relief. But the process isn’t usually comfortable or enjoyable for them. Anal gland expression can also be overwhelming for dog owners and dogs. The process is smelly and messy, so be prepared with all the necessary supplies to keep things as clean as possible.
Anal gland expression is a two-person job, so it’s best to have someone who can gently restrain your dog to keep them still while you are doing the expression. Giving your dog a lick mat with dog-safe peanut butter or other spreadable soft treat can also help keep your dog happily distracted while you’re expressing their anal glands.
While it’s possible to express your dog’s anal glands at home, it comes with risks and challenges. “Many dogs are sensitive about having anal glands expressed, and if done improperly, the person or the dog could become injured. I’ve seen several dogs try to bite if their anal glands are painful,” cautions Dr. Stegemoller.
Step-by-Step Guide to Expressing Dog Anal Glands
Note: if you can’t easily express your dog’s anal glands, stop right away to prevent any possible damage. Take your dog to your veterinarian, who can evaluate them for any potential health conditions or infections and provide you with advice on how to have a better at-home anal gland expression experience.
Step One
For small dogs, it’s easiest to have them on a table or counter covered in towels. These will make the surface less slippery and give you a better angle. It can also help your dog feel more confident. You can also put one behind your large dog on the floor to catch any mess. Then, put on disposable latex or other medical gloves.
Step Two
Hold your dog steady or have a helper do so. Put a small amount of petroleum jelly onto your thumb and forefinger. Press your fingers up against your dog’s anus. A dog’s anal glands are located on either side of the anus. If you think of your dog’s anus like a clock face, the anal glands will be in approximately the 8 and 4 o’clock positions and will generally feel puffy and be about the size of a grape.
Step Three
In one hand, hold a paper towel underneath and behind your dog to prevent any fluid from their anal glands from getting onto you. Then squeeze the anal glands together with your thumb and index finger to release the fluid.
Step Four
As you squeeze, the anal glands will release a smelly, brown fluid. Make sure to squeeze both sides to ensure that both anal glands are fully expressed. Praise and reward your dog with treats during this process. You should immediately consult your vet if the discharge contains blood. If you notice a thick or chunky discharge that is green, yellow, or white, this could be a sign of infection.
Step Five
Throw the paper towels into a trash bag, then use the washcloth and warm water to gently clean the outside of your dog’s anal area. This will help to eliminate the foul odor from their anal glands. For dogs with longer hair, make sure to wipe the fluid completely out of their coat. Grooming wipes can help get your dog quickly cleaned up.
Step Six
Remove your gloves and dispose of them alongside other dirty paper towels. Put any towels and washcloths away to be washed. Thoroughly wash your hands, and praise your dog for doing a great job.
Are There Risks of Not Expressing a Dog’s Anal Glands?
If a dog isn’t naturally expressing their anal glands while pooping, the glands can become more uncomfortably impacted or infected. Dr. Stegemoller notes that anal gland expression helps pain and reducing the risk of infection. Another benefit, especially in a clinical setting, is the ability to screen for more serious conditions like anal gland cancer.
“Anal gland tumors are often found while performing routine anal gland expression,” she says. She advises that cancerous anal gland tumors don’t always have clinical signs. You can often only find them with the help of a veterinary expression or examination. This type of cancer, called adenocarcinoma, is often very aggressive, and early detection is key for good long-term outcomes.
Dr. Stegemoller recommends requesting a rectal examination during your dog’s annual wellness exam, even if they don’t need regular anal gland cleaning. “These exams are a very valuable screening tool for this type of cancer,” she says. “Early detection is extremely important because of how quickly this cancer can spread to lymph nodes and other tissues.”
Preventing Anal Gland Issues in Dogs
The best way to maintain your dog’s anal gland health is to work towards a healthy diet and lifestyle with your dog. Regular exercise will help your dog maintain a healthy weight. A high-quality diet with appropriate levels of fiber and proper hydration will support healthy pooping habits, which naturally stimulate anal glands.
“Many anal gland supplements are available to improve anal gland health for dogs that need to have them expressed often or have a history of anal gland abscesses,” Dr. Stegemoller says. “They often contain special fiber blends, and I do think they are helpful.”
Getting Professional Support
If you haven’t expressed your dog’s anal glands at home before, it can be helpful to get support from a professional groomer or veterinarian. During your regular check-up at the veterinarian, you can ask someone on staff to show you how to do so before you attempt it at home. Usually, dog groomers and vets are available to express a dog’s anal glands. You can also always schedule an appointment, which usually only takes a few minutes.
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.