How Often Should a Dog’s Anal Glands Be Expressed?

Anal glands aren’t the most glamorous topic, but for a lot of dogs they’re a genuine source of discomfort — and a question we hear from worried owners all the time. You probably know your dog has them. What’s far less obvious is how often they should actually be emptied, and whether yours needs any help at all.

The honest answer is: it varies enormously from one dog to the next. Some go their whole lives without ever needing a hand, while others need regular attention. Below, we’ll walk through how the glands work, the signs to watch for, how frequently expression is typically needed, and the simple things you can do at home to keep your dog comfortable.

What are anal glands in dogs?

Anal glands — sometimes called anal sacs — are two small pouches sitting just inside your dog’s bottom, one on either side of the anus. They hold a strong-smelling, oily fluid that dogs use to scent-mark their territory. It’s the reason dogs are so interested in greeting each other rear-end first.

Under normal circumstances, these glands empty naturally every time your dog passes a firm stool. The pressure of a well-formed motion squeezes the sacs and releases a little of the fluid. Problems start when that natural emptying doesn’t happen and the fluid builds up inside, becoming thick and uncomfortable. This is what’s known as a blocked or impacted anal gland.

Some dogs are simply more prone to this than others. The most common culprits are:

• Soft or loose stools — without a firm motion to apply pressure, the glands don’t get emptied properly
• Being overweight — extra body fat around the rear can stop the glands draining as they should
• Narrow or awkwardly positioned gland openings — some dogs are just built that way
• Breed — smaller breeds tend to run into trouble more often

Do all dogs need their anal glands expressed?

No — and this is an important point. Most dogs never need their glands manually expressed at all. They empty on their own, every day, without anyone noticing. Manual expression is only needed when that natural process breaks down and your dog starts showing signs of discomfort.

In other words, expressing a healthy dog’s glands “just in case” isn’t recommended and can actually do more harm than good (more on that below).

Which breeds are most likely to need help?

Any dog can develop blocked anal glands, particularly if they’re carrying extra weight or frequently pass soft stools. That said, smaller breeds tend to be over-represented. Breeds that commonly need a little extra attention include:

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
• Dachshunds
• Bichon Frise
• Cocker Spaniels
• French Bulldogs
• Miniature and Toy Poodles
• Beagles
• Pugs
• Shih Tzus

If you own one of these breeds, it’s worth being familiar with the warning signs so you can step in early.

How do you know if your dog needs their glands expressed?

The signs are usually easy to spot once you know what you’re looking for — though they’re sometimes mistaken for worms or other parasites. If your dog’s glands are full or blocked, you may notice one or more of the following:

• Scooting — dragging their bottom along the floor or carpet
• Excessive licking or biting at their rear end
• A distinct fishy or musky smell around their back end
• Brown, greasy marks left behind on bedding or where they’ve been sitting
• Straining or difficulty when passing stools
• Signs of pain when they poo, or when their lower back or tail base is touched

A quick scoot now and then isn’t necessarily cause for alarm, but persistent scooting, licking or a strong odour is a clear signal that something needs checking. If you spot these signs, book an appointment with your vet or veterinary nurse.

How often should a dog’s anal glands be expressed?

Here’s the key question — and as we said, there’s no single answer that fits every dog.

For dogs with ongoing anal gland issues, the average is roughly once every two to three months. But the range is huge. Some dogs need attention only once or twice a year, while a small number need their glands emptied monthly. It comes down to the individual dog — their diet, weight, stool consistency and anatomy all play a part.

The best approach is a combination of two things: taking advice from your vet or veterinary nurse on a sensible routine for your dog, and keeping a close eye at home for the signs of discomfort listed above. Rather than sticking rigidly to a calendar, let your dog’s symptoms guide you.

Important: Never attempt to express your dog’s anal glands yourself unless your vet has shown you how and you feel genuinely confident doing it. Done incorrectly, it can cause pain, damage the delicate tissue and make matters worse.

Is it painful for dogs to have their glands expressed?

The area is sensitive, so your dog may feel some pressure while the glands are being emptied — but it’s brief. Your vet or nurse will use lubricant and gently massage the contents out. Any discomfort is short-lived, and most dogs feel noticeably better once the pressure of those overfull glands is relieved.

Do dogs feel better afterwards?

Yes. Full anal glands are genuinely uncomfortable, and most dogs are visibly more relaxed once they’ve been emptied — the scooting, licking and fidgeting usually settle down quickly. The exception is if there’s an underlying infection, which can take longer to resolve and may need medication on top of expression.

Can you express a dog’s glands too often?

You can, and it’s worth avoiding. Expressing the glands when there’s no need — or far too frequently — can irritate the surrounding tissue and may even interfere with the natural emptying process, creating a cycle of dependence. Only have them expressed when your dog is showing symptoms or has a diagnosed, ongoing problem. If you’re unsure, ask your vet.

How much does it cost to have a dog’s glands expressed?

Costs vary between practices and depend on whether the procedure is done by a vet or a veterinary nurse — a nurse appointment is often more affordable. It’s best to ring your local practice for a price.

What happens if you don’t get a dog’s glands expressed?

Leaving blocked glands untreated isn’t just uncomfortable for your dog — it can lead to real problems. The trapped fluid is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, which can cause an infection. Left longer, an abscess may form: a painful, inflamed pocket of pus that can eventually rupture and bleed. Treating an infection or abscess usually means pain relief and antibiotics, and in severe cases, surgery to flush out the affected gland. Catching the problem early avoids all of this.

What other anal gland problems can occur in dogs?

Most blocked glands are simple to treat — your vet examines your dog’s rear, gently empties the sacs, and that’s that. Occasionally, though, they find something more involved:

• Anal sacculitis — inflammation of the gland, with or without infection
• Anal gland abscess — a very painful swelling that may burst and leave a small hole near the anus
• Anal gland tumours — uncommon, but sometimes picked up during an examination; these need prompt veterinary attention as they can be serious

This is exactly why a vet check matters when symptoms appear — it isn’t only about emptying the glands, but ruling out anything more concerning.

How can you help your dog’s anal gland issues?

If your dog is prone to blockages, the good news is that there’s plenty you can do to reduce how often it happens. Your vet may suggest a combination of:

• Improving stool consistency — this is the big one. Firmer, bulkier stools apply better pressure to the glands and help them empty naturally
• Adding fibre and supporting gut health — increasing dietary fibre and supporting the digestive system can make a real difference to stool quality
• Weight management — reaching and keeping a healthy weight takes pressure off the rear end and helps the glands drain properly
• Investigating persistent loose stools — if your dog has long-term tummy trouble, your vet may want to run further tests, as resolving the root cause often resolves the gland issues too
• Regular monitoring — for some dogs, a routine of scheduled checks keeps things comfortable and heads off infections
• Surgery — reserved for dogs with severe, ongoing problems, and only after a full discussion of the pros and cons with your vet

What can you feed a dog to help express their glands naturally?

Since firm, well-formed stools are the secret to glands that empty on their own, anything that supports healthy digestion is worth considering. Increasing fibre is a common first step. Alongside that, a quality dog probiotic can be a genuinely useful addition — by supporting a balanced gut and more consistent stools, probiotics help create the kind of firm motions that keep the glands draining naturally.

Our Enhanced Dog Probiotics for Digestive Health is designed to do exactly that — a simple powder you add to your dog’s food that supports digestive balance and healthier, firmer stools. For dogs whose gland problems are driven by soft or loose motions, it’s a sensible, natural place to start. You can browse our full range of dog probiotics and digestive support to find the right fit.

As always, if you suspect a food allergy or a deeper digestive issue is at play, your vet may recommend a change of diet or further investigation.

The bottom line

There’s no universal schedule for expressing a dog’s anal glands — it’s entirely individual. Some dogs never need it; others need a hand every couple of months. The smartest approach is to watch for the signs of discomfort, keep your dog at a healthy weight, and support firm, regular stools through good diet and gut health.

If your dog is scooting, licking or showing any sign of rear-end discomfort, don’t try to sort it yourself — a quick trip to the vet will get them comfortable again and rule out anything more serious. And by looking after their digestion day to day, you give those glands the best possible chance of taking care of themselves.

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Browse our natural dog supplements or read more advice over on the Canine Life Co. blog.

The information in this article is for general guidance only and isn’t a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you’re worried about your dog’s health, please contact your vet.

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FAQ schema suggestions (for featured snippets)

Q: How often should a dog’s anal glands be expressed? A: It varies by dog. Most dogs with ongoing issues need their glands expressed every two to three months, but some need it only once or twice a year and others as often as monthly. Many dogs never need manual expression at all. Let your dog’s symptoms, not a fixed schedule, guide how often it’s done.

Q: Should you express a healthy dog’s anal glands? A: No. Expressing the glands when there’s no need can irritate the area and interfere with natural emptying. Only have them expressed if your dog is showing symptoms or has a diagnosed, ongoing problem.

Q: What helps a dog express their anal glands naturally? A: Firm, well-formed stools apply pressure that empties the glands naturally. Supporting this with adequate fibre, a healthy weight and a good dog probiotic to improve stool consistency can all help reduce blockages.

Q: How do I know if my dog’s anal glands are full? A: Common signs include scooting along the floor, excessive licking of the rear, a strong fishy smell, greasy marks on bedding, and straining or pain when passing stools.