Dog Anal Glands: Clinical Guidance for Owners and Groomers
Dog anal gland problems are a common reason for scooting, licking, and that sudden “fishy” smell, but they are often oversimplified as something that “just needs to be squeezed.” Anal sac disease can be painful, recurrent, and closely linked with skin and gut disease, so it deserves more than a quick express at the grooming table. Pet owners and pet groomers need clinically informed guidance on dog anal glands – when they genuinely need help, who should be doing what, and why routine expression is not a benign wellness service.
What Are Dog Anal Glands?
Dogs have two anal sacs, often called anal glands, positioned at roughly the four and eight o’clock locations beside the anus. Each sac is a small, pouch‑like structure lined with apocrine and sebaceous glands that produce a thick, pungent secretion unique to that individual dog. This material is primarily used for scent communication and individual identification between dogs, not for any essential everyday bodily function.
Under normal conditions, the sacs empty passively through tiny ducts into the anal canal, usually during defecation. Well‑formed stool and normal anal sphincter tone help compress the sacs so they drain without any human intervention. Many dogs will go their entire lives without needing their anal sacs manually expressed at all.
When this normal emptying process fails – because of inflammation, duct narrowing, thickened contents, infection, or structural issues – the sacs can become impacted, painful, or infected. At that point, anal sac disease is a medical problem that requires proper assessment, not routine squeezing.
Dog Anal Gland Problems: Impaction, Inflammation, and Infection
Clinically, non‑tumour anal sac disease is usually described in three overlapping categories:
Impaction – The sac is full and distended with thickened material that has not emptied normally, but there are no obvious signs of infection yet.
Anal sacculitis – The sac lining is inflamed, often painful, and the contents may be abnormal (bloody, granular, or discoloured). Infection can be present.
Anal sac abscess – Infection and inflammation have progressed to the point that the sac has formed an abscess, with marked pain, swelling, and often rupture and drainage beside the anus.
There are also more serious conditions that can mimic or coexist with anal sac disease, such as perianal fistulas and anal sac tumours. Any severe, unusual, or non‑resolving perianal issue must be evaluated by a veterinarian to avoid missing these more complex problems.
Signs Your Dog May Have Anal Gland Issues
Owners and groomers commonly notice:
Scooting or dragging the hind end along the floor or ground.
Licking, chewing, or biting at the anus or under the tail.
A sudden, strong “fishy” or metallic odour, sometimes when the dog is resting or startled.
Straining, vocalizing, or obvious discomfort when passing stool.
Swelling, redness, or a firm lump near the anus.
Blood, pus, or a moist, painful wound beside the anus (often from a ruptured abscess).
Behaviour changes such as irritability, reluctance to sit, or restlessness linked to perianal discomfort.
These signs are a reason to book a veterinary appointment, not simply to ask for an anal gland “top‑up” at the next groom. Pain, visible swelling, discharge, or systemic signs like lethargy or reduced appetite are especially urgent.
Why Some Dogs Get Anal Gland Disease (and Others Don’t)
Anal sac disease is usually multifactorial. Key contributing factors include:
Stool quality and gut health
Chronic soft stool, diarrhea, or poorly formed feces reduce the mechanical pressure needed to empty the sacs, increasing the risk of impaction and sacculitis.Allergic and inflammatory skin disease
Dogs with atopic dermatitis or food‑responsive enteropathy frequently have concurrent anal sac issues. Perianal inflammation and itch can affect the ducts and surrounding skin, making normal drainage more difficult.Obesity and reduced muscle tone
Overweight dogs and those with low activity levels may have altered stance and muscle tone, including around the pelvis and anal sphincter, which can influence how well the sacs empty.Breed tendencies and anatomy
Various small breeds, some brachycephalic breeds, and certain larger breeds (including some retrievers and shepherds in case series) appear over‑represented in anal sac disease populations. In some dogs, deeper sac placement or specific anatomy may predispose them to problems.Seasonality and flare patterns
In some populations, anal sac issues appear more often in spring and summer, mirroring flare seasons for atopic dermatitis. When allergies worsen, perianal inflammation and licking can aggravate anal sac disease.
Understanding these drivers shifts the focus away from “bad glands” alone and towards a more complete view of the dog’s skin, gut, and overall health.
Why Routine Anal Gland Expression Is Not a Wellness Service
It is still common for anal gland expression to be offered as a routine add‑on at grooming visits. From a veterinary and dermatology standpoint, this is not a harmless habit.
Repeated expression in dogs with no signs of disease can irritate the sac lining and surrounding tissues.
Excessive force or poor technique, whether internal or external, can cause trauma, pain, and inflammation, and may increase the risk of infection or abscess formation.
Regularly emptying sacs that would otherwise function normally can interfere with the dog’s natural filling and emptying cycle, potentially creating dependence and recurrent problems.
Relying on frequent expression instead of investigating underlying allergies, gastrointestinal disease, or obesity can delay appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Anal sac expression should be used as a targeted intervention when there is clear clinical evidence of anal sac disease, not as an automatic part of every grooming package.
Dog Anal Gland Expression: Vet vs Groomer Roles
Internal Expression (Veterinary Procedure)
Internal anal sac expression is generally regarded as a medical procedure. It involves a gloved, lubricated finger inserted into the rectum to palpate each sac from the inside while supporting it externally. This allows the veterinarian to:
Locate each sac precisely at the four and eight o’clock positions.
Assess sac size, wall thickness, and level of pain.
Evaluate the character of the contents (normal, thickened, bloody, purulent, or granular).
Detect masses, duct narrowing, or other structural problems.
Because this is both diagnostic and potentially painful, internal expression is best reserved for veterinarians and appropriately trained veterinary staff.
External Expression (Limited and Context‑Dependent)
External expression applies pressure from outside the anus, usually with thumb and forefinger at the four and eight o’clock positions, directing material towards the ducts. Even when permitted:
It gives limited information compared to internal palpation.
It can still cause pain, inflammation, or trauma if done too forcefully or too often.
It should never be attempted on a dog with obvious swelling, redness, discharge, or pain.
In many jurisdictions, grooming associations, regulators, and insurers limit what groomers can do in this area – especially for internal work – because complicated anal sac disease is expected to be managed within veterinary medicine. Groomers should be familiar with their local regulations and their own insurance wording.
Guidance for Dog Owners
When to See the Vet
You should prioritize a veterinary appointment if:
Scooting, licking, or odour is persistent, frequent, or keeps coming back.
There is swelling, redness, or a lump near the anus.
You see blood, pus, or an open wound/wet area beside the anus.
Your dog seems unwell – lethargic, off food, or reluctant to sit or defecate.
Anal gland issues recur despite previous expressions.
Your vet can perform a rectal examination, express the sacs when appropriate, and assess for underlying allergies, gastrointestinal disease, or more serious perianal conditions.
When a Groomer May Be Involved
A grooming setting may be part of the management plan when:
Your dog has had their anal sacs evaluated by a vet, and mild, straightforward fullness has been identified.
The veterinarian has explicitly said that carefully performed external expression by a groomer is acceptable for maintenance in this particular dog.
There are no signs of acute pain, swelling, discharge, or systemic illness.
It is entirely appropriate – and often welfare‑positive – for a groomer to refuse anal gland expression if they have concerns about legality, insurance cover, or the dog’s welfare. A good groomer will instead point you back to your veterinarian when something is not right.
What Owners Should Avoid
Asking for “anal glands every groom” when your dog has no history of problems or current clinical signs.
Trying to perform internal anal gland expression at home without veterinary training and a medical reason.
Using repeated expression as the only solution for recurrent issues, rather than investigating and addressing root causes such as allergies, diet, or obesity.
Guidance for Groomers and Pet Professionals
Groomers, trainers, and other professionals often see dogs more frequently than veterinarians do, which makes them vital in early recognition and communication. Key points:
Observe and document
Note scooting, odour, swelling, redness, pain on handling, or discharge. Document what you see and inform the owner clearly and calmly.Respect your scope and cover
Follow local regulations, professional standards, and your insurance policy regarding whether any form of anal gland expression is permitted. For many professionals, declining this service is the only legally and professionally safe option.Refer appropriately
Any dog with pain, swelling, draining tracts, systemic illness, or recurrent anal sac issues should be referred back to their veterinarian rather than scheduled for repeated expression.
Saying “no” to routine anal gland services, or refusing to work on a painful perianal area without veterinary clearance, is not poor customer service—it is ethical, evidence‑aligned practice.
Veterinary Treatment and Long‑Term Management
Once anal sac disease is diagnosed, veterinary management may include:
Careful expression of impacted sacs, usually internally, to relieve pressure and evaluate contents.
Medical therapy, such as topical flushing, local antimicrobial/anti‑inflammatory preparations, and systemic medications when sacculitis or abscessation is present.
Investigating and treating underlying disease, including diet changes, fibre adjustments, allergy and atopy management, chronic enteropathy work‑up, and weight control.
Surgery (anal sacculectomy) for severe, recurrent, or neoplastic cases, typically after medical management and with a clear discussion of benefits and risks.
The overall goal is to reduce pain and recurrence by addressing both the sacs themselves and the broader skin and gut context.
Supporting Healthy Anal Glands Over Time
Owners and professionals can support long‑term anal sac health by:
Keeping dogs at a healthy body weight and encouraging regular, appropriate exercise.
Working with a veterinarian to optimise diet and stool quality.
Actively managing allergic skin disease and gastrointestinal disorders.
Acting early when new signs appear instead of waiting until they are severe or chronic.
Maintaining open communication between owners, groomers, and veterinary teams so patterns are recognized quickly.
Dog Anal Glands: Frequently Asked Questions
Should my dog’s anal glands be expressed at every grooming appointment?
No. In dogs with no history or signs of anal sac disease, routine expression is unnecessary and can even be harmful. Anal glands are not like nails; they are not meant to be emptied on a fixed schedule.
Is it safe for groomers to express dog anal glands?
It depends on local laws, professional guidelines, and insurance conditions, and on the dog’s clinical status. Many groomers either are not allowed to perform anal gland expression or choose not to because of welfare, legal, and liability concerns. Painful, recurrent, or complicated cases should be managed by veterinarians.
How do I know if my dog’s anal glands are infected?
Signs suggestive of infection or abscess include marked pain, swelling, redness, heat, blood or pus near the anus, and sometimes an open draining wound. These are veterinary emergencies and should not be managed with grooming‑level expression.
Can diet or allergies be the reason my dog keeps having anal gland problems?
Yes. Chronic soft stools, food‑responsive enteropathy, and atopic dermatitis are common contributors to recurrent anal sac disease. In dogs with repeated issues, a proper medical work‑up- including diet and allergy assessment – is often more helpful than simply repeating manual expression.
Dog anal gland problems are common, painful, and often linked with broader skin and gut disease rather than “bad glands” alone. Recognizing early signs, avoiding routine or unnecessary expression, and prioritising veterinary assessment for recurrent or complicated cases all reduce the risk of long‑term damage and repeated suffering. For groomers and other pet professionals, clear boundaries, good documentation, and timely referral are not just legal and insurance safeguards – they are central to ethical, welfare‑based practice.
By approaching anal gland care as a medical issue first, with grooming support only where appropriate, owners and professionals can work together to protect dogs from avoidable pain while still addressing genuine anal sac disease in a careful, evidence‑aligned way.
Synergistically Yours
Danielle & Sheepdog Riggs
forever in our hearts
References
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MSD Veterinary Manual. “Anal Sac Disease in Dogs and Cats.” Merck Veterinary Manual. Accessed 2020s.
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