By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Dogs have two small scent sacs beside the anus that normally empty a strong-smelling fluid when soft stool passes. When glands do not empty, they feel full, itchy or painful. Scooting on the carpet is the classic clue. Some dogs need occasional veterinary expression. Others have infection or abscess that is a medical problem, not a grooming preference.
Key takeaways
- Scooting, rear licking and a sudden fishy odour are common hints of anal gland discomfort.
- Soft, bulky stools help natural emptying. Chronic soft diarrhoea can also irritate the area.
- DIY squeezing risks pain and rupture if you are unsure. Ask a vet or nurse to teach you only if appropriate.
- Swelling, blood, pus or crying out needs prompt veterinary care.
- Related: diarrhoea links, allergies and scooting overlap, when gut pain is more than glands.
Signs the glands may be full or irritated
- Scooting or dragging the rear on the ground
- Sudden attention to the tail base or licking under the tail
- Fishy smell clinging to bedding
- Difficulty sitting or reluctance to be touched near the rear
- Small amount of brownish discharge on the tail fur
- Chasing the tail more than usual
These signs overlap with fleas, worms, allergies and itchy skin. Do not assume every scoot is glands.
Full glands versus infection or abscess
Impacted glands are overfull and uncomfortable. Infected glands may be painful, red and odorous with abnormal discharge. An abscess is a painful swelling that can rupture through the skin beside the anus, leaving an open wound. Dogs with abscesses are often very sore and may strain or cry.
When it is an emergency
Seek urgent care for a painful swelling beside the anus, bleeding, pus, fever, marked lethargy, or a dog that cannot settle from rear pain. Traumatic injuries to the area also need prompt review.
Why some dogs struggle
Small breeds are over-represented in many clinics, though any dog can be affected. Overweight dogs, dogs with chronic soft stools, and allergic dogs that lick the rear may flare more often. Scar tissue from past abscesses can change how glands empty.
What vets do
Your vet or nurse can examine the glands digitally with lubrication and express them if needed. Sedation is sometimes required for painful dogs. Infection may need flushing, pain relief and antimicrobials. Recurrent severe disease occasionally leads to a discussion about surgical removal, which has risks and is reserved for selected cases.
Never request routine weekly expression "just in case" without advice. Unnecessary expression can irritate tissues.
Home care and prevention ideas
- Keep weight in a healthy range.
- Feed a complete diet that produces formed stools. Ask before adding fibre supplements.
- Maintain flea control so rear itch is not flea-driven.
- Use a recovery suit if licking prevents healing after an abscess.
- Do not apply human haemorrhoid creams or tea tree oil around the anus.
After a veterinary expression, a small amount of residual smell can linger on fur until the next bath with a mild dog shampoo. Focus on whether scooting stops and whether your dog seems comfortable sitting. If discomfort returns within days, phone the clinic rather than repeatedly squeezing at home.
Dogs that suddenly scoot after a diet change or a bout of gastroenteritis often improve once stools firm up. Still, a quick check rules out a concurrent problem. Keep a note of colour and consistency of any discharge your vet asks you to describe, using gloves and avoiding contact with open wounds from a ruptured abscess.
Puppies rarely need routine expression. Frequent scooting in a young dog should prompt a broader itch and parasite check. Adult dogs that suddenly need weekly expressions deserve a revisit of diet, weight and allergy status rather than endless emergency squeezes.
FAQ
Can I express anal glands at home?
Only if a veterinary professional has shown you the method and your dog is a suitable candidate. Incorrect pressure causes injury.
Does changing to raw food fix glands?
Not reliably. Stool quality matters more than marketing. Discuss diet with your vet.
Are anal glands the same as anal sacs?
People use both terms. They refer to the same paired structures.
Could scooting be worms?
Possibly. Your vet may recommend faecal testing and a parasite plan rather than guessing.
Talk with a vet
If your dog is scooting, smelling fishy or sore under the tail, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you decide how soon an in-person expression or exam is needed. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Anal sac disease in dogs.
- BSAVA. Companion animal surgery and dermatology notes on anal sacculitis.
- RSPCA Australia. When scooting needs a vet check.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.
