What Are Anal Glands and Why Do Dogs Have Them?
Nobody gets into dog grooming for the glamorous tasks, and anal gland expression is firmly in the "unglamorous but necessary" category. But after doing this thousands of times, I can tell you that understanding anal glands is genuinely important for your dog's comfort and health.
Anal glands (technically anal sacs) are two small, grape-sized pouches located just inside your dog's anus, at roughly the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions. They produce a strong-smelling, oily secretion that's unique to each dog — think of it as your dog's personal signature scent. This is why dogs sniff each other's backsides during greetings. They're essentially reading each other's business cards.
In a healthy dog, these glands empty naturally during bowel movements. The pressure of firm stool passing by squeezes the glands and releases small amounts of fluid. This is how the system is supposed to work — no human intervention required.
The problem is that many domestic dogs don't produce firm enough stools to properly express the glands, or the gland ducts are positioned poorly, or the fluid is too thick to pass easily. When the glands don't empty on their own, they fill up, become uncomfortable, and can eventually become impacted or infected.
Signs Your Dog's Anal Glands Need Attention
Dogs can't tell you their anal glands are bothering them, but they do communicate it through behavior. Watch for these signs:
- Scooting: The classic butt-drag across your carpet. While it looks funny, it means your dog is trying to relieve pressure or irritation in the anal area.
- Excessive licking: If your dog is suddenly obsessed with licking their rear end, anal gland discomfort is a common reason.
- A fishy smell: Anal gland secretion has a distinct, pungent, fishy odor. If you're noticing this smell on your dog, furniture, or bedding, the glands may be leaking or overfull.
- Straining to defecate: Full or impacted anal glands can make bowel movements uncomfortable.
- Swelling near the anus: Visible swelling on either side of the anus suggests the glands are full, impacted, or potentially abscessed.
- Sudden yelping when sitting: Pain from inflamed glands can cause sharp reactions when pressure is applied to the area.
- Chasing their tail: Sometimes mistaken for playful behavior, tail-chasing can indicate rear-end discomfort.
If you notice any swelling with heat, redness, or discharge near the anus, skip the groomer and go straight to your veterinarian. These are signs of possible abscess or infection that need medical treatment.
Should You Express Anal Glands at Home?
This is where I need to be straightforward with you. As a groomer, I perform external anal gland expression regularly as part of bath services. It's a standard grooming procedure that addresses routine fullness. However, there's a meaningful difference between external expression (what groomers do) and internal expression (what veterinarians do), and knowing the difference matters.
External Expression
This is done from the outside, using gentle pressure on either side of the anus to squeeze the glands. It's less thorough than internal expression but handles routine maintenance for dogs whose glands are simply full. This is what most groomers offer and what can be done at home if you choose to learn the technique.
Internal Expression
This involves inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to locate each gland individually and express it completely. This is more thorough and is necessary when glands are impacted, when the fluid is thick or paste-like, or when there's a suspected infection. Only veterinarians or veterinary technicians should perform internal expression.
My Honest Recommendation
If your dog's anal glands are emptying normally during bowel movements, leave them alone. Don't express glands preventively — this can actually cause irritation and swelling that leads to the very problem you're trying to prevent. Routine expression should only happen when there are signs that the glands aren't emptying on their own.
If your dog occasionally shows signs of fullness (mild scooting, slight odor), you can learn to do external expression at home or have it done at grooming appointments. If your dog has chronic anal gland problems — recurring impaction, infections, or abscesses — work with your veterinarian rather than relying on grooming appointments alone.
How to Express Anal Glands Externally (If You Choose To)
Fair warning: this is messy, smells terrible, and your dog won't enjoy it. But if you want to handle it at home between grooming or vet visits, here's the proper technique:
What You'll Need
- Latex or nitrile gloves
- Paper towels or a warm, damp washcloth
- A partner to help hold your dog (strongly recommended)
- A tub or outdoor area (the fluid can spray and it stains)
The Process
- Position your dog: Have your helper hold your dog in a standing position. Small dogs can be placed on a raised surface. Larger dogs can stand on the floor. If your dog is anxious, a few calming treats can help.
- Lift the tail: Gently lift your dog's tail to expose the anal area. The glands are located just below and to each side of the anus — imagine a clock face with the anus at the center, and the glands sit at approximately 4 and 8 o'clock.
- Apply gentle pressure: Place a paper towel over the area (trust me on this — the fluid can project). Using your thumb and forefinger, apply gentle inward and upward pressure on both sides of the anus simultaneously, just below where the glands are located. The motion is similar to milking — pressing inward toward the anus and then slightly upward.
- Watch for expression: If the glands are full, you'll see a brownish, oily fluid expressed onto the paper towel. The consistency should be liquid to slightly pasty. The smell will be strong and fishy — this is normal.
- Clean the area: Wipe thoroughly with a warm, damp cloth. I usually do this right before a bath so we can clean up immediately.
When to Stop
Stop immediately if:
- Your dog is in obvious pain (yelping, snapping, severe tensing)
- You see blood in the expressed fluid
- The fluid is very thick, chunite, or green/yellow (signs of infection)
- You feel a hard, firm mass rather than a soft gland
- One gland expresses easily but the other doesn't budge
Any of these signs mean your dog needs veterinary attention, not more pressure from you.
Preventing Anal Gland Problems
While some dogs are simply prone to anal gland issues due to anatomy (small breeds like Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Beagles, and Cocker Spaniels are overrepresented), there are steps you can take to support healthy gland function:
- Fiber: Adequate dietary fiber promotes firm stools, which naturally express the glands during bowel movements. Adding a small amount of plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling) to your dog's food — about a tablespoon for medium-sized dogs — can improve stool firmness. Psyllium husk supplements designed for dogs also work well.
- Hydration: Well-hydrated dogs produce healthier gland secretions that flow more easily.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Overweight dogs are more prone to anal gland problems because excess tissue around the glands can impede natural expression.
- Regular exercise: Movement and muscle tone in the hindquarters support healthy gland function.
- Quality diet: A nutritious diet with adequate omega-3 fatty acids supports healthy gland secretion consistency.
When Anal Gland Problems Become Chronic
Some dogs deal with recurring anal gland issues despite all preventive efforts. If your dog needs expression more than once a month, or if they develop repeated infections or abscesses, talk to your vet about underlying causes and long-term solutions.
Options your vet may discuss include:
- Dietary changes: Prescription or specialized diets that promote firmer stools
- Allergy testing: Food and environmental allergies can cause chronic inflammation in the anal gland area
- Regular veterinary expression: Scheduled internal expressions on a set schedule
- Anal sacculectomy: Surgical removal of the anal glands. This is typically a last resort for dogs with severe, recurrent problems that don't respond to other treatments. The surgery carries some risk of fecal incontinence, so it's reserved for cases where the glands are causing significant, ongoing health issues.
Groomer vs. Veterinarian: Who Should Handle It?
Here's my honest professional take on when to use each option:
Your groomer is appropriate for routine external expression during regular grooming visits for dogs with mild, occasional fullness and no history of complications.
Your veterinarian is necessary when there's any sign of infection (swelling, heat, discharge, blood), when the glands are impacted and hard, when your dog has chronic recurring issues, or when external expression doesn't provide relief. Vets can also check for underlying issues like tumors or anatomical problems that contribute to chronic gland problems.
Don't be embarrassed to ask for help with this. It's one of the most common issues we deal with in grooming and veterinary care. Your dog's comfort is worth a slightly awkward conversation.