It Is Not as Difficult as You Might Think
Expressing dogs’ anal glands may not be as difficult as you might think. Still, it is an unpleasant smelly business, and most dog owners understandably leave it to their Vet to manually express their dogs’ anal glands.
However, if you want to do it yourself, you can express dog anal glands at home. Just find out how to do it properly first. For the first time we recommend visiting your Vet and let him teach you how to manually express your dogs’ anal glands.
Normally dogs’ anal glands empty naturally when they defecate. However, sometimes the anal glands become blocked and then they need to be emptied by manually expressing them.
There will be some obvious signs. Your dog will most likely be showing some obvious signs of discomfort in the rear area and may be excessively licking and biting beneath the tail. They are also likely to be scooting on the surface, but dog scooting is one of the most obvious symptoms of blocked anal glands in dogs. Another obvious symptom is foul (fishy) odour.
Before you get started, you may want to gather the things you need for manual anal gland express.
You definitely need some paper towels and something to put under your dog, like towel. Then you need a bowl of warm soapy water and clean washcloth. Good lubricant, e.g. petroleum jelly, is also recommended. You may also want to use disposable gloves for the task.
Finally, some favourite treats can be helpful. Ideally something that can keep their focus while you undertake the task of anal gland expression, like lick mat or stuffed toy.
Then find a good place for the task, you may even like to put your dog on a desk to make this easier for both of you, especially you. If your dog does not like being handled, then it is a good idea to have someone helping you to hold him still.
The anal gland express process can be divided into few steps:
Step 1 – Locate Your Dog’s Anal Glands
Once your dog is in place and you are ready, put some lubricant onto your thumb and forefinger, lift your dog’s tail and press your fingers up against your dog’s anal gland. The anal glands are based just below your dog’s anus (8 and 4 o’clock)
Step 2 – Squeeze Your Dog’s Anal Glands
Hold a paper towel behind your dog, i.e. to catch the anal gland fluid and prevent it getting on to you. Then squeeze the anal gland together using your thumb and index finger.
The squeezing should release fluid from the anal gland. Once done, squeeze the other anal gland. The fluid should be brown, and it will be smelly. But if the liquid is thick or chunky or bloody or different colour (yellow, green, white), then you need to consult a Vet as you dog may have an anal gland infection.
Step 3 – Clean Your Dog’s Anal Area
Once you are satisfied that you have managed to empty both anal sacs, gently wash your dog’s behind. This will help to remove any foul-smelling fluid that may have leaked onto his coat.
Your dog should naturally empty his anal glands when defecating, i.e. having to manually empty dogs anal glands should normally be an exception, not the rule.
However, some dog breeds are more prone to get blocked anal glands then other, e.g. some Spaniel and Poodle breeds and some older dogs. In those cases, it may be good to learn how to empty the anal glands at home but only when needed, i.e. you should never express anal glands without a cause.
Still, if your dog is prone to get blocked anal glands, we recommend liaising with your Vet. You may also want to use some good quality anal gland supplement as it can help to firm up your dogs’ stools and ease defecation, helping with natural elimination of the anal glands.
Anal gland supplements for dogs should contain enough of high-quality fiber, as well as other natural ingredients that help bulk and firm the stool, ease defecation, promote digestion and support healthy immune responses.
If done correctly your dog should not be in pain after manual anal gland expression. The process of squeezing the glands may be painful for some dogs but that pain should not continue once the squeezing has been done.
As the process of expressing dogs’ anal glands is relatively straight forward you are unlikely to cause any harms. However, the anal glands are small delicate organs that can be injured if squeezing too fast. Therefore, if you are not confident with performing manual anal gland express, then you may better let your Vet do it.
Finally, unnecessary manual anal gland expression may reduce the effectiveness of the anal glands over time.
