Anal gland problems are among the most common reasons UK dogs end up at the vet — and one of the least talked about, because the symptoms are unglamorous. Your dog drags their bottom along the carpet, licks obsessively at their rear, or suddenly smells strongly of something fishy. This guide explains what is actually going on, what needs a vet and what doesn’t, and — importantly — why the popular advice to “just express them yourself” is usually wrong.
- ⚠️ Quick Answer
- The Signs, in the Order They Usually Appear
- Why “Just Express Them Yourself” Is Bad Advice
- What the Vet Will Actually Do
- Prevention: Firm Stools Do the Work
- Dog Anal Gland FAQs
- •Why is my dog scooting along the floor?
- •Should I express my dog’s anal glands myself?
- •What does an anal gland abscess look like?
- •How can I prevent anal gland problems in my dog?
- • 📚 Related Reading
⚠️ Quick Answer
Dogs have two small scent glands just inside the anus that normally empty on their own during a firm bowel movement. When they don’t, the fluid thickens and the glands become impacted — uncomfortable, and the first stage of a problem that can progress to infection and then to a painful abscess. The classic signs are scooting, excessive licking under the tail, and a sudden fishy smell. Impaction alone is straightforward for a vet or nurse to treat. Swelling, redness, bleeding, pus or obvious pain means you should be seen the same day — that is likely an abscess, not simple impaction. And unless your vet has specifically shown you how, do not attempt to empty the glands yourself.
The Signs, in the Order They Usually Appear
| Sign | What it usually means | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Scooting (dragging the bottom along the floor) | The classic first sign of full or impacted glands — the dog is trying to relieve pressure | Vet appointment |
| Licking or biting under the tail | Discomfort in the same area; can also be allergy-related, which is why the cause matters | Vet appointment |
| Strong fishy smell | Gland fluid leaking — sometimes the only sign owners notice | Vet appointment |
| Swelling, redness or a lump beside the anus | Infection or a forming abscess | Same day |
| Bleeding, pus, or an open wound near the anus | A ruptured abscess | Same day |
| Yelping when sitting, reluctance to poo, off food | Significant pain — the dog is guarding the area | Same day |
One honest caveat: scooting is not only an anal gland sign. Worms, allergies and skin irritation cause it too, and treating the wrong cause wastes time — our guide to worms in dogs covers the parasite side.
Why “Just Express Them Yourself” Is Bad Advice
This is the internet’s favourite anal gland tip, and the one worth pushing back on. Three reasons:
- You can cause the damage you’re trying to avoid. The glands sit in delicate tissue. External squeezing that is too firm, or repeated when the glands aren’t actually full, can bruise and inflame the area — which makes the next episode more likely, not less.
- Routine expressing can make the problem self-sustaining. Glands that are emptied manually on a schedule may become less efficient at emptying naturally. Many vets now advise expressing only when there is a clinical reason, rather than as routine grooming.
- You may be treating the wrong thing. If the real cause is an allergy, soft stools or a skin infection, expressing relieves nothing and delays the diagnosis that would.
If your dog genuinely has recurring impaction, ask your vet or a veterinary nurse to show you the technique properly — many practices run nurse clinics for exactly this, at a lower cost than a vet consult.
What the Vet Will Actually Do
For simple impaction, the appointment is short: the glands are emptied internally (more effective and more comfortable than the external method), and the area is checked for infection. If there is infection, expect antibiotics and pain relief. An abscess may need to be lanced and flushed, sometimes under sedation. For dogs with repeated problems, the conversation moves to why — diet, weight, allergies — and in rare, severe cases to surgical removal of the glands, which is a last resort because of the risk of complications.
Rough UK costs: a nurse appointment for expression is typically the cheapest option, a standard vet consultation with expression costs more, and an infected gland or abscess needing sedation, lancing and medication runs into the low hundreds. This is routine, claimable territory for most policies — our UK pet insurance guide explains what is and isn’t covered, and note that recurring conditions become pre-existing if you switch insurers.
Prevention: Firm Stools Do the Work
The glands empty naturally when a firm stool presses against them as it passes. That single fact drives most of the prevention advice:
- Fibre matters. Persistently soft stools mean the glands never get squeezed. If your dog’s stools are consistently loose, that is the problem to solve — a food review is often more effective than repeated expressing. Our dog food guide and the hypoallergenic options are the place to start if diet is suspected.
- Weight is a real factor. Overweight dogs have more fatty tissue around the glands and less effective natural emptying — one more reason weight control pays off.
- Treat the allergy, not the symptom. Chronic skin allergies are a common underlying driver; see our guide to dog allergies.
- Small breeds are over-represented — Chihuahuas, Toy Poodles, Cocker Spaniels and small terriers turn up disproportionately. If you own one, know the signs rather than waiting to be surprised.
This guide is general information and not a substitute for veterinary advice. Anal gland problems can look identical to other conditions, and pain or swelling in this area should always be assessed by a vet.
Dog Anal Gland FAQs
Why is my dog scooting along the floor?
Most often because the anal glands are full or impacted and the dog is trying to relieve the pressure. But scooting is not exclusive to gland problems — worms, food or environmental allergies and general skin irritation cause it too. If scooting persists for more than a day or two, or comes with licking, a fishy smell or any swelling, book a vet appointment rather than guessing.
Should I express my dog’s anal glands myself?
Not unless your vet or a veterinary nurse has shown you how and advised that it is needed. Done incorrectly or too often, expressing can bruise and inflame the tissue and may make the glands less able to empty naturally. Where there is a genuine recurring problem, a nurse clinic is usually cheaper than a vet consult and far safer than trying it at home from a video.
What does an anal gland abscess look like?
A painful, red, swollen lump to one side of the anus, sometimes with bleeding or pus if it has burst. The dog is usually visibly uncomfortable — yelping when sitting, reluctant to toilet, possibly off their food. This is a same-day veterinary problem, not something to monitor at home.
How can I prevent anal gland problems in my dog?
Aim for consistently firm stools, since that is what empties the glands naturally — which usually means addressing diet and any underlying allergy rather than expressing on a schedule. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight helps as well. If problems keep recurring despite this, ask your vet to investigate the underlying cause instead of repeating the same treatment.
