Anal Gland Issues in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Key Takeaways
All dogs have two anal glands (anal sacs) located at the 4 and 8 o'clock positions inside the anus. These glands produce scent-marking fluid that should empty naturally during bowel movements when stools are firm and well-formed.
Common symptoms include scooting, excessive licking, fishy odor, leaking fluid, straining to defecate, and bleeding or swelling near the anus.
The most common cause is poor GI health leading to soft or loose stools. Other causes include allergies, abnormal gland positioning, and compact anatomy in smaller breeds.
Complications include impaction, infection (anal sacculitis), and abscess — all require veterinary treatment.
Small breeds under 30 pounds are most at risk. At-home support includes daily fiber and probiotic supplements, regular exercise, and a high-quality diet.
Table of Contents
Where Are Anal Glands in Dogs?
Signs and Symptoms of Anal Gland Problems
Anal Gland Complications and Diagnoses
What Causes Anal Gland Problems in Dogs?
Which Dog Breeds Are Most at Risk?
Treatment, Relief, and Expressing Dog Anal Glands
Your dog's anal glands are central to their health, but can be easy to overlook. Knowing how to support your dog's anal gland health can help improve their quality of life, while making maintenance easier for you.
Struggling with inflamed, infected, or impacted anal glands in dogs can be difficult for you and your dog. Glandex was created by veterinarian Dr. James Bascharon with a blend of beneficial fiber and probiotics to support your dog's anal gland health.
The anal glands — also called anal sacs — are scent glands. When two dogs sniff each other's rear ends as a greeting, they are gathering information about the other dog's age, sex, and overall health. Tiny sebaceous (sweat) glands line the inside of the anal glands and produce an oily, foul-smelling fluid. The scent-marking excretions produced by anal glands are useful for identification, but the glands need to express regularly in order to remain healthy.
Why do dogs' anal glands fill up? Full anal glands are not ideal, since the glands should be emptying on their own with regular, healthy-sized bowel movements. If they do not empty regularly, uncomfortable symptoms of impaction can develop, and your dog will need immediate support.
Do all dogs have anal glands? Yes — both dogs and cats have two small glands inside the anus. They sit low on either side of the anal cavity at the 4 and 8 o'clock positions and can range from pea to grape size depending on the size of the animal. Anal glands are not visible from the outside, but can be carefully accessed by your veterinarian or someone trained in anal gland expression.
While many small dogs are prone to anal gland issues, any dog can be affected by anal gland complications. Here are the key signs to watch for.
Scooting is your dog's way of trying to relieve discomfort caused by anal gland issues, such as aching, itching, or pressure in the anal area. When your dog scoots, they drag their rear across a textured surface to find relief. Scooting can be one of the first signs of anal gland distress.
Having the glands expressed is not always the most pleasant experience, and some pain after manual expression can be normal. If the pain persists for longer than 24 hours, your dog may have an anal abscess (a pocket of infected tissue). An abscess can act as a blockage, preventing the anal glands from emptying on their own and leading to infected glands and further complications.
If you notice bleeding from the rear end or bloody stools, hemorrhoids could be to blame — especially if your dog is dealing with new or worsening constipation from anal gland impaction, a lack of dietary fiber, or a combination of factors. In more serious cases, a ruptured anal gland, a ruptured abscess, or other severe complications like damage to the gastrointestinal tract could be the cause.
Much like scooting, tail and posterior licking can be signs that your dog is dealing with discomfort in the anal area. This could be due to itching, pain, and throbbing from anal gland infection and inflammation.
Has your dog recently become constipated? A lack of dietary fiber, stress, lack of hydration, and poor diet can lead to constipation — but so can anal gland impaction. When the anal glands become full or inflamed and are not being emptied on a regular basis, they can grow large enough to narrow the anal cavity. This makes it more difficult for stool to pass through, leading to painful constipation and straining during bowel movements.
On the other hand, if your dog is dealing with diarrhea, this could be a likely cause of anal gland issues. When stools are not bulky enough to express the glands — as in cases of diarrhea or soft stool — the glands will remain unemptied and become more likely to become infected or impacted.
If you or your veterinarian suspect that anal glands are the source of your dog's uncomfortable symptoms, it could be due to one of the following conditions.
Signs of a ruptured anal gland can be alarming. A rupture could cause blood to appear in the stool or leak from the anal area between bowel movements. This condition can be extremely painful, and may cause even the calmest animals to become aggressive if you go near their tail or rear end.
When the anal glands do not empty on a regular basis, a buildup of fluid from sebaceous glands can lead to infection. No matter the cause of your dog's anal gland impaction, infection can occur once the glands have remained full for too long without being expressed.
An abscess occurs as a result of infection. Abscesses develop when an infection goes untreated, causing a mass of pus-filled tissue that can block the anal canal or cause other painful complications. When an abscess ruptures, symptoms are similar to a ruptured anal gland.
When filled with fluid, the anal glands can become swollen. This enlargement can lead to a narrowed or obstructed GI tract and, as a result, impaction. If anal gland impaction is to blame, it will be difficult for your dog to pass stool without pain or discomfort.
Underlying allergies (including atopy) are a common contributing factor to anal gland problems. Allergies in dogs manifest as red and inflamed skin, which can affect the area around the anal glands (the perianal region), making the glands more prone to impaction and infection.
There can be many underlying causes of anal gland problems, and in many cases it is a combination of reasons. The most common underlying cause is poor gastrointestinal health. In order for anal glands to empty, they need firm and healthy stools to create pressure on the glands as they pass over them. If your dog has small, soft, or loose stool, it will be very difficult for the glands to empty properly.
Another common cause is underlying allergies, including atopy. Allergies in dogs manifest as red and inflamed skin. This can affect different areas of your dog (ears, paws, belly) including the area around the anal glands (the perianal region).
Anatomy can also play a significant role. If your dog's anal glands are positioned abnormally — typically too low or too far internally — it can become difficult for the glands to empty on their own.
The consistency and frequency of your dog's stool play a significant role in the proper functioning of the anal glands. Healthy, firm stools naturally express the anal glands during defecation. However, digestive issues that lead to soft or irregularly shaped stools can prevent the glands from emptying properly, causing impaction or infection. Chronic diarrhea or constipation can worsen this condition, leading to pain, swelling, and in severe cases, abscesses.
Diet is a key factor in maintaining both digestive and anal gland health. A balanced diet rich in fiber promotes regular bowel movements and the formation of firm stools, which help in the natural expression of the anal glands. Fiber supplements or high-fiber dog foods can be particularly effective in managing anal gland issues.
Addressing underlying digestive problems through proper nutrition, adequate hydration, and veterinary care when necessary can prevent recurring anal gland issues. By monitoring your dog's digestive health and ensuring a well-balanced diet, you can significantly reduce the risk of anal gland complications.
As a result of their more compact anatomy, some breeds are more vulnerable to impacted anal glands. Small breeds, toy varieties, those under 30 pounds, or shorter than 10 inches from the shoulder down tend to need their glands expressed more regularly.
Breeds on this list may need their anal glands expressed more regularly to maintain healthy gland function: Basenji, Basset Hound, Beagle, Bichon Frisé, Cairn Terrier, Chihuahua, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund, English Cocker Spaniel, French Bulldog, Jack Russell Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Miniature Pinscher, Miniature Poodle, Papillon, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Pomeranian, Pug, Scottish Terrier, Shih Tzu, Silky Terrier, Whippet, West Highland White Terrier, and Yorkshire Terrier. This list, while not exhaustive, represents common breeds prone to anal gland complications.
Chihuahua. Chihuahuas have some of the smallest anatomy of any dog breed, making it more difficult for their anal glands to empty on their own.
Toy and Miniature Poodle. Much like Chihuahuas, Toy and Miniature Poodles have very small anatomy that can affect gland position. For very small breeds, the tiny size of their stool may also play a role in making their stools less effective at emptying the anal glands.
Cocker Spaniel. Smaller anatomy and a potentially lower gland position in the anal cavity could affect how well Cocker Spaniels and other small breeds can naturally express their anal glands.
Basset Hound. While not the smallest of the small breeds, Basset Hounds have a shorter, more compact anatomy that may affect the effectiveness of their bowel movements and gland position. Bassets are also a breed prone to thicker, waxier anal gland secretions, making them more prone to impaction.
Beagle. Smaller anatomy and a potentially lower gland position in the anal cavity could affect how well Beagles and other small breeds can naturally express their anal glands.
Veterinarians most commonly recommend two things for anal gland issues — manual expression and increased fiber intake. If your dog is scooting regularly or struggling with new or worsening constipation, these may be your vet's first recommendations.
The most well-known treatment for impacted anal glands is manual expression, especially if your dog's symptoms are more advanced. Manual expression is reserved for smaller animals who need frequent gland expression, or for severe cases of impaction or infection.
Manual expression can be mildly uncomfortable for your dog, so it requires two people: one to hold the dog's torso and head, and a second to perform the expression. To perform a manual expression, you or your vet will use clean, gloved, and lubricated fingers to milk the glands from the anal area. It is important to express fluid from each gland until both are empty, and to follow by cleaning the anal area with a sanitary wipe once the expression is finished.
Smaller dogs may need multiple manual expressions per year — as many as one per month. Some dogs may never need their glands manually expressed, while others only get them on an as-needed basis. How often manual expressions are needed depends on how well you help your dog maintain healthy gland function on a daily basis. For more strategies on reducing the need for manual expression, see our guide on natural ways to promote anal gland expression.
Aside from manual expression — which can be costly, time-consuming, and uncomfortable — your veterinarian may also recommend increasing your dog's fiber intake. While fiber intake is important for bulking up stools, your dog will need a more comprehensive treatment plan to avoid future issues.
When starting a new fiber treatment, it is important to start slowly. Giving half the daily recommended dose for at least one week can help your dog's gut adjust. Abruptly increasing fiber intake can make your dog feel bloated and gassy, or cause diarrhea or vomiting.
Both manual expression and higher fiber intake can give your dog some relief, but may not be the most sustainable solutions on their own. Ideally, your dog's diet and exercise regimen should help keep anal glands functioning properly.
In addition to the treatments recommended by your vet, there are helpful habits to practice at home.
Daily gut health maintenance can make a significant difference in your dog's anal gland health. Choose an anal gland supplement that includes probiotics and prebiotics to support GI function. The addition of fiber can also help improve bowel movements and motility, while ingredients like Quercetin can promote a healthy inflammatory response to allergens. For cases of more persistent gland issues, Glandex Advanced Vet Strength Chews provide a higher-potency formula.
If your dog prefers wet food over supplement chews, try mixing in a daily support powder to supplement fiber and other nutrients.
Your dog's gut motility — movement of food through the GI tract — can be greatly improved by exercise. Dogs with a sedentary lifestyle will typically struggle more with bowel movements. Keeping your dog active is beneficial for every aspect of health and may help support healthier anal gland function.
For cases of anal gland abscesses, you can use a wet, warm cloth to encourage drainage. Placing the compress over the anus and surrounding area for 10–15 minutes twice daily can encourage the abscess to drain on its own before it causes further complications.
In addition to a warm compress, you can keep the area clean and soothed with Glandex Anal Gland Wipes or Glandex Medicated Spray. The medicated spray can also help ease discomfort caused by hemorrhoids and other anal gland issues.
If your dog has recently been sick, supporting their gut health during recovery is essential — and that includes anal gland health.
Diarrhea can occur when your dog is dealing with a food intolerance, parasites, or other illness, and can have a major impact on anal gland health. Adding fiber can help bulk up the stool during an illness and help restore healthy stool formation and regularity.
Some dogs will be prescribed antibiotics to battle bacterial infections. Antibiotics can be helpful in eradicating illness-causing bacteria, but they also kill off beneficial bacteria. Good bacteria is essential in your dog's gut microbiome — without it, gut function and even immune response can be compromised. Adding probiotics (good bacteria) and prebiotics (food for good bacteria) to your dog's diet after antibiotics can help improve gut health and, by extension, healthy anal gland function. Glandex Probiotic & Prebiotic Soft Chews provide daily digestive and microbiome support to help restore balance.
If you have tried at-home support but your dog is still struggling with persistent symptoms, it is important to know the warning signs of severe anal gland issues. Contact your veterinarian if you observe any of the following:
Rectal bleeding during or between bowel movements. Oozing brown, foul-smelling liquid from the anus between bowel movements. Severe pain or tenderness in the posterior area (anus, base of tail) that makes your dog uncharacteristically aggravated or anxious. Visible swelling around the anal area. Severe constipation that prevents your dog from passing a bowel movement for 48–72 hours or more, or that causes pain during defecation. Listlessness or lethargy (uncharacteristic low energy). Signs of infection like fast breathing at rest, excessive sleeping, or fever.
If your dog shows any of these signs, contact your vet for a more urgent treatment plan. Severe cases may require surgery to remove the anal sacs altogether — which is why healthy habits, daily maintenance, and knowing your dog's normal patterns are the best methods for prevention.
Browse the full Glandex anal gland health collection for supplements, wipes, sprays, and powders.
If you suspect your dog might be suffering from anal gland issues, consult with your veterinarian to find the best treatment plan.
Most dogs naturally express their anal glands when they have a bowel movement. That means healthy dogs do not usually need manual expression on a regular basis. For some dogs, factors like anatomy, diet, or health conditions mean they cannot express their glands effectively and might require assistance. In these cases, the frequency can vary based on individual needs — it could be once a month, or for some, even more frequently. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the best care routine for your dog.
If a dog's anal glands are not expressed regularly, they can become impacted — leading to discomfort and potential health issues. Impacted anal glands can become swollen, painful, and may lead to infections or abscesses. When left untreated, an abscess can rupture, leading to a painful open wound near the dog's rectum. It is essential to recognize the signs of anal gland issues early and consult your veterinarian for appropriate intervention.
Signs that your dog's anal glands might be blocked or impacted include scooting their rear on the floor, licking or biting at the anal area, a distinct and foul odor, difficulty sitting or appearing uncomfortable while sitting, or swelling near the rectum. You might also notice straining or signs of discomfort during bowel movements. If you observe any of these behaviors or symptoms, contact your veterinarian promptly to address the issue before things get worse.
Yes. The majority of dogs naturally express their anal glands when they pass stools. The consistency of the feces usually applies the necessary pressure to the glands, causing them to express. However, factors like soft stools, obesity, or certain anatomical characteristics might prevent some dogs from expressing their glands effectively. For these dogs, external assistance — either by you under guidance or a veterinarian — may be required.
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