Anal gland expression is one of the most common questions pet owners ask their veterinarians. The short answer is that anal glands should only be manually expressed when needed — not on a fixed schedule. Understanding how anal glands work, recognizing the signs that your pet needs help, and supporting natural expression through diet and lifestyle can help reduce the need for manual intervention.
How Anal Glands Normally Empty
[EXPANDED] Anal glands (also called anal sacs) are two small glands located just inside the anus at approximately the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions. They produce a pungent, oily substance that is unique to each animal and serves as a scent marker for identification and territorial communication. Under normal circumstances, a small amount of this fluid is released each time your pet defecates. The passage of a firm stool creates pressure against the glands, causing them to empty naturally.
[EXPANDED] When this process works correctly, most dogs and cats never need their anal glands manually expressed. Problems arise when the glands do not empty fully on their own — typically because stool is too soft to create adequate pressure, the gland ducts become narrowed due to inflammation, or the gland contents thicken and become impacted.
How Often Should Anal Glands Be Expressed?
Anal glands should only be manually emptied when they are blocked or overfilled and cannot empty on their own. Expressing the anal glands too often can lead to further irritation of the gland tissue. [EXPANDED] Repeated manual expression can also cause inflammation and scar tissue formation around the gland ducts, which narrows the openings and makes natural expression progressively more difficult. This can create a cycle where the pet becomes increasingly dependent on manual expression — the opposite of the intended outcome.
[EXPANDED] There is no universal schedule for anal gland expression. Some dogs never need it in their lifetime. Others with chronic issues may need expression every few weeks to every few months. The appropriate frequency depends on the individual pet's anatomy, diet, stool consistency, body weight, and whether underlying conditions like allergies are contributing to the problem. Your veterinarian can assess your dog's glands and recommend an appropriate interval if manual expression is needed.
[EXPANDED] If your pet does not have anal gland health issues, having them routinely expressed — for example, as part of every grooming appointment — is generally not recommended and can cause more harm than good over time.
Signs Your Dog Needs Anal Gland Expression
When anal glands fill up excessively, the resulting pressure can be very uncomfortable. The most common sign is scooting — dragging the rear end across the floor in an attempt to relieve the discomfort. Other symptoms of anal gland problems in dogs include a fishy or foul odor from the rear end, excessive licking of the anal area, discomfort while walking or sitting, straining to defecate, and redness or swelling near the anus.
[EXPANDED] Not all scooting is caused by anal glands — parasites, skin irritation, and allergies can also cause similar behavior. If you notice any of these symptoms persisting for more than a day or two, consult your veterinarian for a proper assessment rather than assuming the glands need expression.
Signs of Anal Gland Problems in Cats
In cats, anal gland problems can be difficult to identify because cats are very skilled at masking discomfort. One of the few signs that may indicate an anal gland issue in cats is defecating outside the litter box. [EXPANDED] Other subtle signs can include excessive grooming of the anal area, reluctance to sit, scooting (though this is less common in cats than dogs), and a foul odor. Because cats hide symptoms so effectively, anal gland issues are often not discovered until a veterinary examination.
Who Should Express Anal Glands?
[EXPANDED] Anal gland expression is best performed by a veterinarian or trained veterinary professional. A veterinarian can perform internal expression (inserting a gloved finger into the rectum to apply targeted pressure to each gland individually), which is more thorough and effective than external expression. Internal expression also allows the veterinarian to assess the consistency and color of the gland contents — normal secretions are thin and brownish, while thick, gritty, or discolored material can indicate impaction or infection.
[EXPANDED] Attempting to express anal glands at home without proper training carries risks including applying too much pressure, expressing at the wrong angle, or inadvertently expressing glands that are infected or abscessed, which can cause rupture and significant pain. Some groomers offer external anal gland expression as part of their services, but veterinary expression is recommended for any dog with known gland issues or recurring symptoms.
How to Support Natural Anal Gland Expression
For anal glands to empty normally during defecation, your pet needs large, firm stools that create adequate pressure against the glands. A high-quality diet with the proper ingredients and nutrients is critical to ensuring healthy stools and healthy anal gland function. [EXPANDED] Diets that are high in fillers or low in fiber tend to produce softer stools that do not create enough pressure for natural expression.
Fiber Supplementation
[EXPANDED] Adding a fiber supplement to your pet's diet is one of the most effective ways to promote firmer stools and support natural gland expression. Pumpkin is a particularly beneficial fiber source that also provides prebiotics and digestive enzymes. Glandex Soft Chews are formulated with pumpkin-based fiber specifically to support healthy anal gland function. For dogs with severe or chronic anal gland issues, Glandex Advanced Vet Strength Chews provide a more concentrated formula. For cats, Glandex Feline Anal Gland Supplement can be sprinkled on wet or dry food.
Weight Management
Maintaining your pet's ideal weight is important, as overweight pets may have increased difficulty emptying their glands. [EXPANDED] Excess body fat around the anal area can physically impede the glands' ability to compress and empty during defecation.
Regular Exercise
Regular exercise can help tone and strengthen some of the muscles that assist in emptying the glands during defecation.
Allergy Management
If your pet has allergies, reducing exposure to allergens can help reduce anal gland problems. [EXPANDED] Food and environmental allergies can cause inflammation of the tissue surrounding the anal sacs, leading to swelling that narrows the gland ducts. Allergies can also increase the production of anal gland secretions. Both factors contribute to inadequate emptying and can result in chronic anal gland issues in allergy-prone pets. Working with your veterinarian to identify and manage underlying allergies is an important part of long-term anal gland health.
Browse the full Glandex anal gland health collection for supplements, wipes, and other products designed to support your pet's anal gland health.
