Let's dive into a topic that might make us all squirm a little, but is crucial for our furry friends' health. Our dog's bottoms.

Has your dog started dragging themselves across the carpet, leaving behind a horrible ‘fishy’ smell? Or suddenly developed a fascination with their own back end?  If so, it sounds like you’re getting up close and personal with anal gland problems.

Is it all rather unpleasant? Yes. Is it unusual? Definitely not! Can anything be done? Read on!

In this comprehensive guide, I'll explain the cause of anal gland issues, how to recognise them and when to seek veterinary help.

What are anal glands (and why do dogs have them?)

Dogs have two small sacs just inside their bottom. If you think of the bottom as a clock(!), they’re located at roughly the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions. These anal glands produce a strongly-smelling fluid that dogs use for scent marking. It’s like your dog’s personal signature.

These glands usually empty naturally when your dog passes a firm stool.

When the system is working, nobody notices.

When it isn’t, well, that’s when things get…‘noticeable’.

The root causes: 7 reasons your dog’s anal sacs get blocked

Anal glands start to cause trouble if they don’t empty properly. This can happen to your dog for multiple reasons, including:

• Passing soft stools or diarrhoea: When there’s not enough ‘squeeze’ to empty the glands

• Anatomy: Narrow or kinked gland openings don’t let contents escape

• Allergies (food or environmental): Inflammation increases gland secretions, so they fill up quicker

• Eating a low-fibre diet: Results in softer, less regular stools 

• Being overweight or obese: Excess fat at the base of the tail weakens muscles needed to squeeze

• Genetics (inherited factors): Small breeds are often affected; Chihuahuas, Poodles, Cocker Spaniels

• Getting older or less active: Weakens muscles
  

Over time, this progresses to:

• Impaction: the glands fill up and become blocked

• Inflammation (anal sacculitis): irritated glands and discomfort

• Infection: bacteria accumulate

• Anal gland abscess: a painful swelling close to the anus (bottom) that may eventually burst

Signs your dog might have anal gland problems

Dogs are rarely subtle about this. The classic signs include:

• Scooting: dragging their bottom along the grass, the floor, your best rug…

• Licking or chewing around their tail or bottom

• A strong fishy smell: Once sniffed, never forgotten!

• Sudden discomfort when sitting down

• Turning to look at their back end

• Straining or discomfort when they’re pooing

• Unseemly interest from other dogs - more than the usual level of bottom-sniffing

Although scooting is often attributed to worms, full anal sacs are a much more likely cause.

The fishy smell explained

That distinctive smell isn’t your imagination and it’s too persistent and nasty to be flatulence (farting). Anal gland fluid is normally released in tiny amounts, so you don’t notice it. But when glands get full or infected and begin to leak, the smell becomes rather hard to ignore.

If your dog suddenly smells like something you’d prefer not to identify, it’s often a clue that their anal glands need to be checked.

Some dogs may also:

• Chase their tail

• Sit down abruptly

• Become restless or irritable

• Whimper or whine

A red angry swelling, bleeding or discharge under your dog’s tail suggests they may have an anal gland abscess. And they’ll need prompt veterinary help. 

What happens if you ignore anal gland problems?

Anal gland problems rarely get better on their own.

Left untreated, they can progress to:

• Infection

• Abscess formation

• Severe pain

• Chronic and recurring problems
  

Sometimes anal gland abscesses will burst through the skin, creating an open wound beside the anus. Seek help from a vet as soon as possible if your dog shows signs of a possible anal abscess.

What’s the vet treatment for anal gland problems?

Fortunately, most gland issues are straightforward to treat.

Your vet may:

1. Manually express the glands

• A quick (if slightly undignified) procedure to empty them

• Often provides immediate relief

2. Treat pain and infection

• Anti-inflammatory painkillers

• Antibiotics

3. Flush the glands

• Flushing the glands to clear contents and blockages

• For severe or recurrent problems

• Your dog will be sedated for this procedure

4. Investigate underlying causes

If your dog’s anal gland problems keep coming back. It may be due to:

• Allergies

• Problems with their diet

• Chronic gut/digestive challenges

5. Operate to remove the glands

• A last resort for chronic or recurrent cases or tumours

• Not without risks, which the vet will discuss
  

Should you empty your dog’s anal glands at home?

Owners often ask us this question. And it’s a slightly controversial one.

Veterinary guidance is clear:

• Don’t attempt to empty your dog’s glands without proper training.

• Poor or incorrect techniques can cause pain, burst glands, chronic inflammation or infection.

• Also, routine emptying ‘just in case’ can cause irritation and isn’t recommended for most dogs.

• Healthy glands usually manage themselves.

Can you prevent anal gland problems?

Sometimes - yes. Helpful measures include:

Feeding a healthy diet for healthy stools

• A complete, balanced diet, appropriate for your dog's age, breed and lifestyle.

• Firm stools help to empty the glands naturally.

• Fibre supplements can help in some cases.

Weight management

• Overweight dogs are more likely to have problems.

Managing allergies

• Skin and food allergies often cause recurring anal issues.

• Feeding a hypoallergenic diet consistently to settle food allergies.

• Keeping up-to-date with parasite preventives and other measures to reduce exposure to environmental allergens.

Regular exercise

• Supports normal bowel function.

• Helps keep your dog fit and preserves muscle strength.

When to reach out to a vet

Speak to a vet as soon as possible if your dog:

• Is scooting repeatedly

• Constantly licks or chews at their back end

• Develops a strong fishy smell

• Seems uncomfortable when they sit down or pass a stool

• Has swelling, bleeding or discharge under their tail

Treating anal glands early is simple. Treating chronic or neglected problems is not.

Final thoughts on anal gland problems

Anal glands are one of those topics that we sometimes feel awkward talking about. But ignoring them will only make life more uncomfortable for your dog. And it can lead to longer-term problems and expense.

Most cases are quick to diagnose and easy to treat, especially when they’re caught early.

So if your dog suddenly develops an unpleasant aroma or an embarrassing interest in their own backside, it’s not being anti-social. It’s communication. And it’s well worth listening to!

Joii Vets are available 24/7 and happy to chat about all things anal gland! Download the Joii app now, for peace of mind and support whenever you need it.