How to Tell If Your Dog Needs His Anal Glands ExpressedCherished Companions Animal Clinic

Also referred to as anal sacs, these scent glands are located on either side of a dog’s anus and release an oily substance that, to humans, has an unpleasant fishy smell. An internal expression is done by inserting a gloved index finger into the anus and gently squeezing each anal sac between the index finger and thumb. The internal method is more effective, especially if the material in the anal sacs is thick. Since this is invasive, you'll need help to keep your dog distracted and calm during the process. If the anal area appears red, inflamed, thickened, has an open sore, is painful, or uncomfortable.
FluentWoof is a community driven website, we may receive commissions when you click on our links and make purchases. However, we have a strict editorial policy and this does not impact our reviews and product recommendations. We’re here to serve dogs and dog parents, and we’ll always recommend what we think would best for your dog. If you see your pooch doing any of the above then you should take them to be checked over by your veterinarian. I recently saw a Yorkie-poo patient with a burst abscess, poor little tyke was in so much pain he needed to be sedated to have a proper examination of his bum.
Normal fluid should be brown in color, with a thin consistency and a strong odor. Thick, chunky or discolored fluid is abnormal and indicates that a problem could be present. It takes practice to be able to express the anal glands so do not be discouraged!
Additonally, expressing your dog’s glands unnecessarily can cause inflammation and anal gland sacculitis. Fortunately, anal gland expression can help prevent many of these issues. Anal gland expression is a  quick and painless — but important — procedure for many dogs. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about anal gland expression in dogs.
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. It acts as a colon cleanse and can help with your dog’s anal gland problems. Psyllium is a great food to help dogs express glands … it creates bulk to stimulate better muscle movement in the intestines. Phivo Christodoulou shared this great fiber broth recipe you can make at home.
For cats and dogs adopted from rescue groups or local shelters within 14 days of adoption. If the glands are infected or they’ve ruptured, your dog will need some medical attention. With that said, it’s possible for any breed to have an issue. The increased pressure causes your dog to want to lick his bottom and/or scoot across the carpet.
Then an infection occurs, which can lead to an anal sac abscess, according to DVMsat VCA Animal Hospitals. Check with your vet if  you are wanting to do routine expression. Your vet may recommend leaving the anal glands alone if they are not causing a problem, or they may agree to routinely express them to avoid a medical issue. Weight loss and increased fiber intake are common components 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.
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