Many dog owners only learn about anal glands when a problem occurs. The anal glands are not something you can see at first glance and therefore, you usually only learn about their important function when the dog starts scooting around on their buttocks, also known as the “bottom scooting” and in the worst-case scenario, scooting its bottom indoors. But what exactly are the anal glands in dogs and what significance do they have? Learn more in this guide.
Anal glands in dogs - what are anal glands?
The dog’s anal sacs, also known as anal glands, are glandular collection pouches. They are located slightly below the anus on the left and right-hand side and serve as intermediate storage sacs. Their excretory ducts are located in the skin zone of the anus. Within the walls of the sac, there are glands that secrete fluid into the sacs. This secretion is decomposed by a bacterial flora which produces an extremely nasty smell for us humans, this happens to be individual for each dog.
If the external sphincter contracts during defecation, the anal glands are emptied. They release a small amount of the stored secretion, along with the faeces, they can also empty by themselves, such as if the dog is sleeping deeply and is very relaxed or is very frightened and afraid. The secretion is specific to each dog, comparable to the human fingerprint. What dogs learn about another dog’s secretion of anal glands is not exactly clear, but it must be quite a lot, considering the long greeting ritual among dogs, who sniff each other in this region when they first meet and get to know each other. This secretion serves to mark its own territory and also to communicate with other conspecifics.
Inflamed anal glands in dogs - how does the problem occur?
There is not a specific reason as to why dogs develop problems with their anal glands, it is probably a combination of factors playing together. For example, there is a suspicion that soft or low-volume faeces contribute to the problem if the anal glands cannot empty regularly during defecation. Unfortunately, humans have contributed to the problem by striving to breed dogs that are as small as possible with short tails, as these breeds often have problems with their anal glands. However, blocked or inflamed anal glands also occur regularly in other dog breeds and it seems that some dogs simply have a stronger tendency to develop problems with their anal glands than others, regardless of the breed.
It is not completely clear, exactly which factors determine when a dog develops problems with their anal glands. Nevertheless, it is clear that congestion initially occurs when the duct of an anal gland is obstructed, e.g. by dried secretion. The anal gland secretion, with the corresponding bacterial flora, is then unable to drain off and consequently accumulates in the anal sac. Resulting in the anal sac slowly swelling, the secretion thickening and inflammation occuring.
Blocked anal glands - what symptoms does the dog show?
The dog initially tries to control the problem by licking the anal region or by starting to rub their buttocks with pressure over the ground (the so-called “bottom scooting”). If the dog does not succeed in emptying its anal glands this way, the anal sacs will swell further and further and fill up with purulent and often bloody secretions. During this phase, the dog’s general state of health changes, because the persistent inflammation and swelling of the anal gland is very painful and burdens the entire organism. If left untreated, the secretion will look for its own exit and in the worst case and it could result in the so-called perianal fistula. The purulent secretion then exits through an open wound in the skin, which can be unpleasant for the dog due to the pressure discharge, this must be urgently treated by a veterinarian, as it is an open, purulent wound.
If your dog shows the following symptoms, it could be a sign that their anal glands are blocked.
- “Bottom scooting” – the dog repeatedly slides his buttocks across the floor
- Licking and scratching the anus
- Nibbling the penis
- Unpleasant odour
- Pain or problems during defecation
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"Bottom scooting"
If your dog slides across the floor whilst sitting, with his buttocks on the floor, it may be a sign that he is suffering from blocked anal glands. However, it could also be an indication that the dog has parasites, such as worms. You can find out more about worm infestation in dogs here.
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What to do in the case of blocked anal glands?
Once the anal glands are blocked, they must be emptied by the veterinarian or another competent person. If they are already inflamed and purulent, they may also need to be rinsed, and medication administered. A veterinarian as well as an animal healer can also advise further soothing and preventive measures that will support recovery.
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Should you empty anal glands regularly?
gularly and prophylactically, so to speak, you should NOT empty the dog’s anal glands in order to prevent a displacement of the excretory ducts and an accumulation of the gland secretion. The sacs are glandular collection spaces and it is intended that a certain amount of secretions should accumulate, which is then reduced each time there is defecation. You should only intervene in this natural cycle only when necessary.
Blocked anal glands in dogs - what factors increase this problem?
A dog suffering from soft faeces is often the result of blocked anal glands. This could be due to various causes – it could be a due to the type of food fed, the change of food or even with the volume of food (too high or too low), the dog could suffer from parasites, receive medication that irritates the digestive tract or perhaps have a weakened or under populated intestinal flora.
Blocked anal glands in dogs – factors to consider
There are various causes for soft faeces, therefore it makes sense to check why there is a problem and how long the problem has existed. Has anything changed during this time? How much food is fed per meal? (Please note that the Canis Plus® meals result in a smaller feeding quantity than other conventional types of food – so weigh the food in the first few weeks, or use our measuring cup.) Are there any known diseases, allergies or intolerances? Has there been any worm cures, antibiotic or other medication?
Faecal samples can be examined to check whether parasites are involved. However, if these are excluded and any of the above factors are out of the question, and the dog still constantly drops soft faeces, then it could be that they do not tolerate their previous food well enough and you should perhaps consider a change of food to a more natural food such as Canis Plus®.
If you are in the middle of a feed change, this can of course also be the reason for softer faeces – however the problem should regulate itself after a few days of the feed change (valuable tips for changing feed to our food can be found here).
Finally, it should be said that even with the best food (for a dog with a tendency to suffer from blocked anal glands) it can sometimes not be enough to get the problem permanently under control. As mentioned earlier, there are dogs that never have problems in this area, while others suffer from blocked anal glands on a monthly basis. Therefore, not only is a change in feed a possible solution, but there are also valuable supplements that can be added to the feed to increase the volume of the faeces or it’s firmness.
How to get firmer faeces?
In order to promote volume, a more solid faeces and support the emptying of the anal glands, you can mix a teaspoon to a tablespoon of our Canis Extra Vit/Min Variety Flakes or our Canis Extra Granulated Carrot with a little warm water and then mix it directly into the feed. The flakes, as well as the carrot granules, can bind water in the intestine and thus support a more solid faeces. They also provide valuable fibre to support a healthy intestinal flora and will ensure a higher faecal volume.
Feeding with raw, fresh bones 2-3 times a week has proven successful, but only if your dog is already used to bone feeding. Bones should only be fed to the dog under supervision and never cooked. If your dog is not familiar with bone feeding or does not tolerate it, you can instead feed our Canis Plus® Beef Scalp in 12.5cm or 25cm length or our Canis Plus® Cow, Horse or Goat Hide Strips.
If the soft, unformed dog faeces is due to irritation of the digestive tract or if the dog has problems digesting dry food, it is advisable to feed only wet food such as our Canis Plus® Complete Meals for a while and supplement the feed with Canis Extra Mineralmoor and Canis Extra Petflora to build up the intestinal flora. With this lighter diet, it can promote a more firmer faeces. In this case the intestine has to “do less work” and is then able to utilise and excrete food more easily. This will also has a positive effect on the texture and consistency of the faeces.
Canis Extra Vit/Min Variety Flakes
Fibre can increase the volume of a meal without providing many calories. They ensure a longer residence time in the digestive tract. The feeling of satiety can be promoted and the faecal volume increased, which in turn can support the independent emptying of the anal glands.
Canis Extra Granulated Carrot
As a proven remedy, Canis Extra Granulated Carrot can be fed as a quick aid for nutritionally soft faeces. The granules are mixed with a little lukewarm water and added directly to the feed with each meal. After a few days, the amount can be reduced.
More information and frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the anal glands of dogs
To support a firm defecation, you can mix a teaspoon to a tablespoon of our Canis Extra Vit/Min Variety Flakes or our Canis Extra Granulated Carrot with a little water and mix directly into the feed. The flakes, as well as the carrot granules, can bind moisture in the digestive tract and thus promote firmer faeces They provide valuable fibre to support a healthy intestinal flora and also ensure a higher faecal volume.
A slight inflammation of the anal glands, if it has been treated expertly, can subside within a few days. However, if it is a severe inflammation in which the gland must be rinsed regularly and perhaps an antibiotic administered, the treatment may take a little longer. The sooner you recognise that your dog has problems in this area and have it treated expertly, i.e. by a veterinarian or veterinary practitioner, the greater the probability that inflammation will not occur or that it will subside within a short time. If your dog behaves unusually and you are unsure whether you should go to the veterinarian, read our guide “My dog is unwell – when should I go to the vet?” and learn more about this topic.
If your dog is recovering from severe anal gland inflammation and you want to know how you can support him in the recovery phase, then take a look at our guide “Get well – How you can support your dog in recovery“.
You should only have your dog’s anal glands emptied if they cause problems, such as when they are blocked. Prophylactically, the anal glands should not be emptied.
Blocked anal glands could be the result of a feeding concept that does not optimally suit your dog. Would you like to find a suitable feeding concept for your dog? Then take a look here – What type of food is best for your dog?
Dietary fiber is an indigestible carbohydrate that cannot be used as a main food source. They fill the intestines, promote intestinal movement and provide an indispensable food for the intestinal bacteria. Fibre is mainly found in vegetable ingredients and their content is highest when it has not been industrially modified or processed as little as possible. For example, the fibre content of brown rice is significantly higher than that in white, polished rice. When it comes to dog food, you should therefore make sure that only high-quality ingredients are cooked in the gentlest manufacturing processes as possible, because this ensures that fibre, natural vitamins and other valuable secondary plant ingredients are preserved in the best possible way. Would you like to know what else you should pay attention to when choosing good dog food? Then take a look here – The Naturavetal feed guide – That’s what matters when it comes to nutrition!
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us by phone. We are here to help you with comprehensive advice. You can reach us Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by phone at 0208 - 531 7804 or mail info@naturavetal.co.uk.