It is not the most glamorous topic in pet care, but anal glands are behind one of the most common things owners ask about: "Why is my dog scooting across the carpet?" Anal glands are a normal part of canine anatomy, and for most dogs they take care of themselves — but when they do not, they cause real discomfort and need attention. There is also a lot of confusion and bad advice out there about whether they should be routinely "expressed." Here is the straightforward, no-squeamishness guide for dog owners.
What anal glands are
Dogs (and cats) have two small scent glands just inside the anus, which produce a strong-smelling fluid. Normally, a small amount is released naturally when a dog passes a firm stool, and the glands empty themselves without anyone thinking about it — this is part of why dogs are so interested in sniffing each other. The scent is essentially a dog’s individual identifier. For most healthy dogs with normal stools, the glands work fine on their own and need no intervention at all.
Signs of anal gland trouble
- Scooting — dragging the rear end across the floor or grass
- Excessive licking or biting at the rear or under the tail
- A strong, fishy, unpleasant odor
- Visible swelling, redness, or discomfort around the area
- Straining or signs of pain when defecating, or trouble sitting comfortably
These signs mean the glands may be full, impacted, or infected. Scooting is the classic signal — it usually means something back there is bothering your dog and needs a look.
Do anal glands need to be expressed?
This is where there is a lot of confusion. The honest answer: most dogs never need their anal glands manually expressed — the glands empty naturally, and routinely expressing healthy glands that are working fine is unnecessary and, some argue, can even interfere with normal function. However, some dogs — often smaller breeds, overweight dogs, or those with chronic soft stools or gland issues — do not empty them naturally and need them expressed periodically to stay comfortable. The rule of thumb: do not routinely express glands that are not causing problems, but do address glands that are.
Who should express them, and the role of your vet
If your dog shows the signs above, the safest first step is your veterinarian. A vet can determine whether the glands are simply full, impacted, or infected (infection and abscesses are serious and need medical treatment, not just expressing), express them properly if needed, and look for underlying causes like diet, stool consistency, or allergies. Recurring anal gland problems are worth investigating with your vet rather than just repeatedly emptying them, because diet and other factors often play a role. Never try to force the issue at home without guidance — it is easy to cause harm.
Where grooming fits in
Anal gland expression is sometimes offered as part of grooming for dogs that need it, and a groomer can keep the area clean and tidy and flag signs of trouble they notice. That said, we believe gland issues — especially anything that looks impacted, infected, or recurring — are best handled by your veterinarian, who can address the underlying cause, not just the symptom. At Animal Friends Pet Care, our priority is your dog’s comfort and health: we keep the rear area clean and trimmed as part of grooming, we’ll tell you if we notice scooting, odor, swelling, or irritation that suggests a problem, and we’ll point you to your vet when something needs medical attention rather than just a quick fix.