All you need to know about your dog’s anal glands but were too afraid to ask
Blocked anal glands can be a painful problem for your dog, says PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing – but a trip to the vets should sort them out.
What are anal glands?
The anal glands are a pair of small sacs that sit just inside the anus (bottom). They contain a strong-smelling liquid used for marking territory.
Why do dogs need anal glands expressed?
Healthy anal glands empty naturally when a dog poos, but if this doesn’t happen, they can over-fill and become blocked. Blocked anal glands are irritating and painful for your dog, but usually quick and simple to treat.
What are blocked anal glands?
Blocked anal glands are a relatively common problem, however, left untreated, they can lead to more serious problems such as infections or abscesses. It’s always best to contact your vet if you think your dog has blocked anal glands.
We wouldn’t recommend owners try to treat an anal gland problem themselves unless following guidance from their vet, as you could cause serious damage and pain.
Any dog can develop blocked anal glands but it’s more common in overweight dogs due to weaker muscles around the bottom, dogs born with narrow anal gland openings (which make emptying difficult), and dogs that have ongoing diarrhoea or soft stools, as anal glands rely on firm, bulky stools to push past and empty them.
What are the symptoms of blocked anal glands in dogs?
There are a number of signs your dog may display if he has blocked anal glands:
- Scooting – rubbing the bottom (anus) on the ground
- A foul, fishy smell
- Nibbling and licking the anus and/or lower back
- Pain when pooing
- Suddenly sitting down in discomfort
- Looking round at their back end suddenly
How anal glands are expressed
Thankfully, blocked anal glands are often simple to cure. To empty them, your vet will feel inside your dog’s bottom and squeeze the glands gently to empty them. If your vet manages to empty your dog’s anal glands, this is likely to provide instant relief and solve the problem.
Never attempt to do this yourself unless you have had instruction from your vet, and you are confident doing so. It is a sensitive area and squeezing the glands too hard or in the wrong way, will cause pain for your dog, so always be sure to follow veterinary guidance.
Medication such as anti-inflammatories and in some cases antibiotics may be necessary if your dog’s glands can’t be unblocked, are very painful, or there is an infection or abscess.
If your dog has ongoing anal gland problems that can’t be cured with emptying or medication, your vet may recommend flushing them out under anaesthetic. However, if flushing does not resolve the issue and your dog develops a chronic problem, your vet may recommend surgical removal of the anal glands.
How to prevent blocked anal glands
There are a few simple precautions you can take to reduce your dog’s chance of blocked anal gland problems:
- Keep your dog slim – overweight dogs generally have weaker muscles around their bottom which makes gland emptying more difficult. Keep your dog at a healthy weight and feed them a good quality complete dog food.
- Regular checks – if your dog frequently suffers with blocked anal glands, they may require regular vet visits to have them checked. You will quickly become an expert at spotting the signs of an anal gland problem developing!
- Adding extra fibre to your dog’s diet – this can help to firm-up and bulk-out their poo. As a result, when your dog goes to the toilet their stool will press on the anal glands and help to empty them. Sugar free bran flakes or bran powder is often the best way to add fibre to your dog’s diet. We advise speaking to your vet for the best fibre addition for your dog’s diet.
More information on PDSA’s website here
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About the PDSA
The PDSA is the UK’s leading vet charity, providing free and low-cost treatment to pets in need. PDSA vets and vet nurses provide veterinary care and advice to sick and injured pets whose owners otherwise couldn’t afford to pay the full cost of treatment.