Dog anal glands filling up every week. What do I do?

Thanks for reaching out — I completely understand why you’re worried about your dog's anal glands. It’s a situation that many pet owners encounter, and I'm here to help.



Anal glands can fill up for a variety of reasons. Often, it's due to insufficient natural emptying when your dog defecates. This might be because of soft stools, anatomical issues that prevent normal expression, or even diet-related factors. Certain breeds are more predisposed to this problem, too.



At home, you can help manage this issue by ensuring your dog maintains a healthy weight and feeding them a balanced diet to produce firmer stools, which can aid in natural gland expression. Regular exercise can also promote overall bowel health.



However, if your dog shows signs like scooting, excessive licking of the area, or signs of pain, such as yelping when sitting, it might indicate that the glands are becoming impacted or infected. In these cases, it’s crucial to seek veterinary attention.



Keep an eye out for swelling, redness, or any foul-smelling discharge, as these symptoms could signal an infection requiring immediate care.



For a thorough evaluation and personalized guidance, I recommend booking a video consult with us at Dial A Vet. This way, we can assess your dog’s specific situation and talk you through the best course of action.