How to clean a dogs anal glands

All dogs have anal glands. Most of the time your dog won't need any help from you, but sometimes these glands get impacted and require human or even veterinary intervention to clear them out.

Most dog parents know about anal glands from the stinky odor they give off. But while these glands may be gross, they still sometimes need some extra love and care.

Why Do Dogs Have Anal Glands?

The anal glands, technically called anal sacs, are two small pockets located at approximately 4 and 8 o'clock between the muscles just inside his anus. These sacs are lined with sebaceous (sweat) glands that secrete an oily, odorous fluid that collects within the sacs. When a dog defecates, the pressure of the stool and contracting muscles usually expels a small amount of this smelly material from two tiny ducts within the anal opening. This what gives dog stool that distinctive stinky odor. Anal sacs are similar to scent glands and can aid in communication with other dogs. 

Dogs may also express their anal glands when they are afraid as a defense mechanism to distract an attacker. If your dog has been scared or startled by something, like getting chased by a neighbor's dog or nearby fireworks, you may have noticed a foul smell afterward. That smell is courtesy of his anal glands being emptied.

Impacted Anal Glands and Infection

If the anal glands do not empty properly, they can swell up and become uncomfortable. Anal glands can also overfill if the exit duct becomes blocked. This is called an impaction. And since anal glands are warm and moist, an impacted gland is the perfect place for bacteria to set up camp and start an infection. Alternatively, an anal gland can become infected first and the infection lead to an impaction.

Anal gland impactions and infections are extremely uncomfortable for your dog. Infected glands tend to form abscesses, filling the already overstuffed gland with pus. Eventually the gland will rupture, usually through the body wall on your dog's backside as that is the path of least resistance. As you can imagine, this is a messy and unpleasant affair. 

Impactions and infections can affect one or both of the anal glands.

Caitlin-Marie Miner Ong

Signs of Anal Gland Issues

The classic signature of anal gland problems is scooting. Your dog will drag his butt across the ground or floor, attempting to relieve the pressure and discomfort in his glands. But not all dogs with anal gland issues will scoot, and your dog may show other signs as well. Signs of an impacted or infected anal gland include:

• Scooting
• Licking at his anus persistently
• Strong odor
• Redness and/or swelling around the anus
• Straining to defecate
• Crying out when defecating
• Blood or pus in stool
• Blood, pus, or anal gland material draining down dog's rear
• Blood, pus, or anal gland material left behind in places where your dog rests

What Causes Anal Gland Problems?

A variety of things can contribute to anal gland issues. Some common causes and contributing factors include:

Less commonly, anal gland impaction can be caused by a tumor or a congenital defect that prevents normal drainage.

Small breed dogs are somewhat more likely to have issues with their anal glands, but these problems can beset dogs of all sizes.

When to Call the Vet

Any sign of anal gland issues is an appropriate reason to call your vet, although for minor cases you can handle expression at home (more on that shortly!). Most anal gland problems are not an emergency and can be scheduled during regular business hours, but be sure to notify the veterinary staff if you think your dog has a ruptured anal gland or if the area is severely enflamed.

Most anal gland impactions can be resolved by manual expression. Your veterinarian or a veterinary technician will reach just inside your dog's anus, gently compress the impacted anal gland, and release the contents. Your vet can usually tell if the gland's contents are normal or not by their color, consistency, and odor. Normal anal gland material is often muddy brown in color. The consistency may range from thin liquid to slightly runny toothpaste. It has a stinky, distinctive smell (often described as fishy or even metallic). Thick material or the presence of blood or pus can indicate an infection. If an infection is suspected, your dog will likely be started on an antibiotic. 

If an abscess is present, your dog will likely need to be sedated so that he isn't in pain during treatment. For anal gland abscesses that haven't ruptured yet, your vet will drain the abscess and then flush the gland and surrounding areas thoroughly to remove as much debris and bacteria as possible.

Ruptured abscesses will also be cleaned thoroughly in a similar manner. Your dog will be started on antibiotics and you may be sent home with antiseptic wipes to keep the area clean while it heals. For a large abscess, your vet may place a drain that will be left in for a few days to allow fluids to continue to drain from the area. Your dog will probably need to wear an e-collar (cone) during the healing process to keep him from licking the area (which can impede healing).

Severe or chronic anal gland problems may require anal gland removal. This is a complex surgery due to the number of muscles and nerves around the anus, and there is a risk of permanent nerve damage. Therefore, this procedure is reserved for the most severe cases and is not recommended for dogs with mild to moderate anal gland issues. While your regular veterinarian may be comfortable doing this surgery, he or she may refer you to a boarded surgeon at a specialty clinic.

How to Express Anal Glands

Basic anal gland expression is something you can do at home if you're feeling a little brave and your dog has just started scooting. It is also highly recommended to have your vet or a veterinary technician show you how to do an anal gland expression before you try it the first time. Don't attempt this if your dog is not used to being held or handled at home in this position; instead, practice handling exercises first to get your dog used to the feeling.

Supplies you will need:

• At least one exam glove
• Lubricant (water-based like K-Y brand is ideal)
• Paper towel
• Dog-safe cleaning wipe or spray
• Dog-safe anti-odor spray
• Another person to help

Once you have everything ready, you can get started.

1. Put on the glove(s) and get your paper towel ready to catch anal gland material before it shoots out at you or across the room. You don't want to get this material on you or your stuff! One trick is to poke your index finger through the middle of the paper towel so it forms a skirt around your finger.
2. Have your helper hold your dog in a standing position. An easy way to hold most dogs is to loop one arm around his neck and the other under his abdomen, then hold his body as if giving a gentle hug.
3. Apply lube to the end of your gloved finger. Gently insert your fingertip into the anus. Feel for pea-sized sacs at approximately 8 and 4 o'clock (near the bottom left and right of the circle). They may be larger in big dogs or if they are impacted.
4. Gently squeeze the sac between your fingers to release the trapped material. This may take a few tries if you haven't done it before. It will feel a bit like you are "milking" the material out.
5. Go to the next gland and repeat. Some people can do both sides with one hand, but you can switch hands if needed.
6. Wipe off any material on your dog's rear with the wipe or cleaner on a paper towel. Spritz with the grooming spray to help with the stink.

If the glands are difficult to express or the contents contain blood or pus, your dog may have an infection and should be seen by a veterinarian. Stop and call your vet if your dog seems especially painful or anxious during the process.

How Often Should I Express My Dog’s Anal Glands?

Anal gland expression should only be done on an as-needed basis. Most dogs go through life without ever needing a manual expression or only on rare occasions. Do not express his anal glands without cause. Expressing them frequently can cause irritation and damage to the tissues, potentially causing scar tissue to form and block the drainage duct.

If your dog has chronic issues with his anal glands, he should be examined by a veterinarian to determine the cause. Your vet will treat any underlying conditions that may be contributing to his troubles. Weight loss and increased fiber intake are common pieces of a treatment plan. Two safe sources of fiber for dogs are canned pumpkin (not canned pie filling—the only ingredient should be pumpkin) and psyllium. Your vet may also recommend an Omega 3 supplement to help with inflammation and skin health.

In a pinch, you can also use water instead of bone broth. The bone broth is for extra nourishment. It also helps add flavor to encourage your dog to eat the broth. If your dog will drink a mixture made with water that’s fine too.

If your dog’s poops are still not large enough, you can slowly increase the amount of psyllium husk.

And there’s one more thing…

Supervise your dog during poop time while you’re feeding the fiber broth. This is gross, but some dogs may need help getting their poop out at first. If he’s having trouble, place your hand in a clean poop bag and pull the poop out. Your hands won’t get dirty so grit your teeth, hold your nose, and give your dog a hand if he needs it.

Note: This psyllium husk broth Is a great way to help your dog’s express his anal glands. Other choices include fiber from the skins of pumpkin squash. Apples can also add beneficial insoluble fiber to your dog’s homemade diet.

How To Express Anal Glands Naturally

Now that you know how to better manage healthy dog anal glands, here are some DOs and DON’Ts to prevent this from happening again down the road.

DON’T … Express Your Dog’s Anal Glands

Expressing your dog’s anal glands means manually squeezing them to remove the fluid. Some groomers and vets do this routinely … and they may tell you to do it yourself too.

Don’t do it and don’t let your groomer or vet do it either! When you drop your dog off at the groomer, tell them you don’t need this service.

DO … Feed A Raw Diet

One of the most common causes of a dog’s anal gland problems is diet. Kibble diets cause mushy stools that don’t force the glands to empty.

Vets often recommend a high fiber diet to firm up the soft stools that commercial dog foods can create. But a much more effective solution for dog anal glands is to feed a raw diet that includes bone content.

Bones in the diet dissolve during the digestive process. This helps create those small firm poops raw feeders are so proud of! Raw feeders are proud poop experts … and one type of poop they recognize is “bone poop.” When dogs eat a meal that’s higher in bone content, like chicken backs or turkey necks … the result is a small but hard stool. 

This firm stool pushes against the anal glands when your dog poops, causing the glands to empty. But sometimes these poops are still small … so don’t forget to add those fibrous fruits and veggies to increase stool volume. 

DO … Give Probiotics And Prebiotics

Giving probiotics for dogs and prebiotics can help firm up stools. You can feed:

• Fermented foods like kefir

• Or buy a prebiotic and probiotic supplement

DO … Exercise Your Dog

Make sure your dog gets plenty of walks. Regular exercise strengthens his rectal and abdominal muscles. This gives your dog the strength to put more pressure on the anal glands. Exercise also helps stimulate bowel movements so your dog poops more often.

DO … Treat Allergies

Food allergies and sensitivities can be a common cause of issues with dog anal glands. You need to address his allergies, or he’ll have irritated anal glands. People often think of food as the culprit … but environmental allergies can also be at play. Work with your holistic vet to resolve your dog’s allergies. 

Kibble diets cause mushy stools that don’t force the glands to empty.
Vets often recommend a high fiber diet to firm up the soft stools that commercial dog foods can create. But a much more effective way to help dogs express their own glands is to feed a raw diet that includes bone content.

Despite what vets and groomers tell you, your dog shouldn’t need his anal glands expressed. All that repeated squeezing and pinching can cause more inflammation, swelling and injury. And regular expressing can make the anal glands dependent, which means they won’t work well on their own.

If you feel you need veterinary help when it comes to dog anal glands, it’s best to find a holistic veterinarian. She’ll understand this chronic disease and how to manage it. She’ll work with you on treatment plans that don’t include the conventional approaches of regular anal gland expressing …along with drugs, chemicals or surgery.

Keep in mind that dog anal glands disease is not a standalone diagnosis. View it as a red flag that your dog is toxic and needs a little help getting squeaky clean again. That’s the holistic view of anal gland problems.

References

Tortola L, Brunetto M, Zaine L, Vasconcellos R. The use of psyllium to control constipation in dogs. Ciência Rural. 2009 Dec;39(9):2638-2641.