How to Tell If Your Dog Needs an Anal Gland Expression
Most dog owners don't think about anal glands until something smells wrong or their dog starts scooting across the floor. These small glands can cause real discomfort when they don't empty on their own. Knowing what to watch for helps you act fast and saves your dog a lot of misery.
What Anal Glands Actually Do
Dogs have two small sacs on either side of their anus. Each one holds a strong-smelling fluid. When your dog poops, the pressure empties those sacs naturally. That fluid is how dogs mark their territory and identify each other.
Some dogs never have a problem. Their glands empty on their own every time they go. Other dogs, especially smaller breeds, have trouble with this. The glands fill up but don't empty fully. That's when problems start.
Signs Your Dog Needs Their Glands Expressed
The signs are usually pretty obvious once you know what you're looking for. Here's what to watch for:
- Scooting across the floor or carpet
- Licking or biting at their rear end repeatedly
- A strong fishy smell coming from your dog's backside
- Chasing their tail or spinning in circles more than usual
- Visible swelling or redness near the anus
- Straining or discomfort when trying to poop
Scooting is the most common sign people notice first. It looks funny, but it means your dog is uncomfortable and trying to relieve pressure on their own.
How Often Does This Need to Happen?
There's no single answer. Some dogs need their glands expressed every four to six weeks. Others can go months without needing it. It depends on the dog's anatomy, diet, and how active they are.
Fiber in the diet helps. Firm, well-formed stools put enough pressure on the glands during a bowel movement to empty them naturally. Soft stools from a low-fiber diet don't do the job.
If your dog has needed expression two or three times recently, talk to your vet about their diet. A small change can make a big difference in how often the glands fill up.
When It Becomes a Bigger Problem
Impacted anal glands happen when the fluid thickens and gets stuck. The gland can't empty at all. Left alone, an impacted gland can get infected. An infected gland can rupture. That's painful and requires veterinary treatment.
Watch for these warning signs of something more serious:
- A noticeable lump on one side of the anus
- Your dog yelping when they sit down
- Blood or pus near the anal area
- Your dog refusing to let you touch their rear end
If you see any of these, skip the groomer and go straight to your vet. Impaction and infection need medical care, not just expression.
Can a Groomer Help With This?
Yes. anal gland expression is a standard grooming service, and many dog owners in Chicago IL have it done at every appointment. A groomer does external expression, which means gently applying pressure from outside the body to help the glands empty.
External expression works well for dogs who just need routine maintenance. It's quick, clean, and easy to add on to a bath or full groom. If the glands are impacted or infected, that's a vet situation, not a grooming one.
Getting it done regularly as part of your dog's grooming routine keeps small issues from turning into bigger ones. Think of it the same way you think about nail trims or ear cleaning. It's basic maintenance.
Breeds That Need It More Often
Smaller breeds tend to have more trouble with anal glands than larger ones. Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, and Basset Hounds show up at the groomer with full glands more often than most.
Overweight dogs also have more trouble. Extra body fat makes it harder for the glands to empty naturally during a bowel movement.
If your dog is one of these breeds, or if they've had anal gland issues before, build expression into their regular grooming schedule. It's much easier to stay ahead of it than to deal with an impacted gland after the fact.
If your dog is scooting, smelling off, or chewing at their rear end, don't wait to see if it resolves on its own. Book a grooming appointment and ask to have anal gland expression added on. The team at All 4 Dirty Paws handles this regularly and can tell you right away whether your dog needs a vet instead.