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Impacted Anal Glands in Dogs: Causes, Signs & Relief

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Have you noticed your dog scooting their butt across the ground? This could be a sign of anal gland problems. Impacted anal glands are an issue that can be incredibly painful for your dog (and smelly for you). This medical problem is more common than you might think: One study found that 4.4% of dogs experience some form of anal sac disease each year.


If you think your dog’s anal glands could be impacted, it’s important to seek medical help right away to address the problem. Let’s break down some of the causes and symptoms of anal gland impaction in dogs, as well as treatment options to help your furry friend feel better.

What Are Anal Glands?

Anal glands are small sacs on the inside of your dog’s sphincter, which is the muscle that surrounds the anal area. These sacs are lined with oil and sweat glands, which produce an odor unique to each dog. If you’ve ever wondered why dogs like to sniff each other’s butts when meeting for the first time, it’s because of these small glands. By sniffing rear ends, dogs get to know each other’s complex scent patterns.


The liquid inside the anal glands builds up over time. When your dog is healthy, they secrete this liquid during their bowel movements. However, if your dog isn’t producing solid stool, the liquid inside the anal glands can thicken and become impacted.

What Do Anal Glands Do?

Anal glands in dogs serve two primary purposes. First, they produce an odor that acts as a territorial scent marker. Your dog uses secretions from their anal sacs to stake a claim to your yard and tell other dogs where they’ve been.


Second, the liquid in these glands helps lubricate hard stool so it passes easily through the anal opening. Healthy, working anal sacs can prevent constipation or painful bowel movements in dogs.

What Are Impacted Anal Glands?

Impacted anal glands happen when your dog doesn’t release the fluid from these anal glands during defecation. Over time, the fluid starts to build up and harden, which can be incredibly painful for your dog.


Impacted anal glands are also very prone to infection, as bacteria can build up inside the sac. Over time, this can turn into an abscess that requires surgical intervention to remove.

What Are The Causes of Anal Gland Impaction?

There are several possible causes of impacted anal glands in dogs. These include:

  • Lack of fiber: If your dog isn’t getting enough fiber in their diet, it can lead to soft stool. This doesn’t put enough pressure on the anal glands to express them, which causes fluid to build up over time.

  • Food allergies and sensitivities: Some dogs are sensitive to certain types of foods, such as beef or dairy. These allergies can cause inflammation in the rectum, which prevents normal anal gland expression and can lead to an impaction.

  • Obesity: Obese dogs are more likely to develop an anal gland impaction than dogs at a healthy weight. This is because the excess fat in the abdomen can weaken the sphincter muscles and reduce pressure on the anal glands.

  • Sphincter muscle dysfunction: Some dogs have weak or ineffective sphincter muscles. These muscles aren’t strong enough to put pressure on the anal glands and express them during bowel movements.

  • Overproduction of fluid: Some dogs may naturally produce more anal gland fluid than others. When this happens, your dog may not be able to express all the fluid on a regular basis, leading to buildup over time.

Small breeds are most prone to developing anal gland impactions and other anal sac disorders. These include chihuahuas, dachshunds, French bulldogs and Jack Russell terriers. This is primarily due to their anatomy, as their rectum is smaller and narrower.


However, impactions can happen to any dog breed. For example, labrador retrievers have a relatively high rate of anal gland issues despite their larger size.


Dogs are more prone to anal gland impactions as they get older, as co-morbid conditions can cause soft stool. Impactions are also slightly more common in female dogs than male dogs due to their anatomy.

What Are the Signs?

As a dog owner, it’s important to know the symptoms of impacted anal glands so you can get veterinary care for your pet when they happen.


A telltale sign that your dog has impacted anal glands is scooting their rear end across the floor. Dogs do this to relieve pain, pressure and itching from impacted anal glands. An impaction is the only condition that causes this behavior, which is why it’s so important to seek help when this happens.


Another sign that your dog might have impacted glands is excessive licking of the genital area. It’s normal for dogs to groom this area occasionally, but if they are licking constantly or biting at this area, that’s a sign they need medical care.


When your dog has impacted anal glands, you might also notice an unpleasant fishy smell. The anal glands may also leak unexpectedly when your dog is inside, even if they are house-trained.


In severe cases, your dog may also struggle to defecate or even have blood and pus in the stool. In these situations, it’s important to seek professional help right away, as the anal glands could be infected.

How To Get Relief for Your Pet

If you think your dog’s anal sacs are impacted, it’s important to visit the veterinarian as soon as possible. Your vet will manually express the liquid by pressing on the anal gland, which provides relief for your pet and prevents the impaction from getting worse.


This liquid should be a clear brown color. If it is yellow or red, that could be an indication that your dog has an anal gland infection, in which case your vet will prescribe medication to clear things up. This could include an antibiotic as well as anti-inflammatory pain medication. In the case of a severe anal gland abscess, your dog might require surgery to remove the anal glands.


If your dog is showing symptoms of impacted anal glands, you can use a warm compress to soothe the area and help your dog relax until you can get to the vet. For dogs with chronic anal gland impactions, a supplement called Glandex can help. This supplement uses natural ingredients to support a healthy digestive system and reduce the chances of an anal impaction.

Holistic Solutions: Food as Medicine

One of the best ways to prevent future anal gland impactions in dogs is to give them a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fiber. This helps your dog produce harder stool, which forces the anal glands to express on their own.


The Honest Kitchen offers dog food that supports a high-fiber diet. It’s also made with natural ingredients that are easy for your dog to digest. It’s a great choice for dogs who struggle with impacted anal glands.


Making changes to your dog’s diet is often the most effective way to prevent anal gland issues in the future. Keep in mind that it can take 8 to 12 weeks for a new food to take effect. It’s also important to note that every dog’s digestive system is different. What works for one pet may not work for another, so it might take some trial and error to find what’s best for you.

A Healthy Diet With Plenty of Fiber Is Key to Pet Health

Impacted anal glands certainly aren’t pleasant (for you or your dog). If you think your dog may be experiencing this condition, be sure to take them to the vet as soon as possible for relief.


A healthy diet is often the first step in preventing future anal gland impactions. If you’re looking for high-quality human grade dog food with real, whole food ingredients, look no further than The Honest Kitchen’s complete line of wet, dry and dehydrated food — plus treats, toppers, and more.


Shop The Honest Kitchen today!


*Health Disclaimer: This post is educational in nature and doesn’t constitute health advice. Please consult your pet's veterinarian or other healthcare professional for specific guidance on this topic.