How to Express Your Dog's Anal Glands at Home: When and How

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-08-14

Key Takeaways

• Anal gland impaction is characterized by the thickening and retention of fluid within the anal sacs, leading to discomfort, scooting, and licking. Normal fluid is thin, yellowish-brown, and has a strong, fishy odor; abnormal fluid may be thick, pasty, bloody, or dark brown, indicating potential infection or rupture.
• Urgent veterinary intervention is required for signs of abscessation, including sudden, hot, swollen, and painful lumps near the anus, purulent or bloody discharge, fever, lethargy, or straining to defecate. These symptoms suggest a serious infection that can lead to systemic complications if not promptly treated with drainage and antibiotics.
• Home expression is contraindicated in the presence of swelling, redness, heat, pain, or discharge, as these are indicators of infection or abscess that can be exacerbated by manual pressure, potentially leading to tissue rupture.
• Chronic anal gland issues can be linked to underlying factors such as soft stool (due to insufficient fiber or gastrointestinal upset), obesity, food allergies, or anatomical predispositions, necessitating a veterinary workup to address the root cause rather than just symptomatically managing impaction.
• Safe home management for mild impaction involves gentle expression only when indicated by signs like scooting or odor, and only if the perianal area appears normal; warm compresses can offer symptomatic relief, but any persistent discomfort or worsening signs warrant professional veterinary evaluation.

If your dog is scooting across the floor, licking their rear end, or chasing their tail, you may be looking at anal gland trouble. These two small sacs sit just inside your dog's anus at roughly the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions. They fill with a foul-smelling fluid that normally releases when your dog poops. When that fluid thickens or the sacs do not empty, they become full and uncomfortable. You can learn to express them at home, but you must first know when it is safe to do so and when your dog needs a veterinarian instead.

This guide walks you through the signs of anal gland problems, the safe technique for home expression, and the red flags that mean stop and get professional help. The most important rule is this: if the area looks swollen, red, or painful, or if you see blood or pus, do not squeeze. That could be an abscess, which is an infected pocket of pus, and squeezing it can make things much worse.

Is This an Emergency?

Some anal gland problems are urgent. Use this table to decide your next step. When in doubt, call your veterinarian.

{
 "type": "triage",
 "title": "Urgency triage by severity of signs",
 "tiers": [
  {
   "tier": "danger",
   "label": "Go to an emergency vet now",
   "signs": [
    "A swollen, hot, painful lump near the anus that appears suddenly",
    "Your dog cries, yelps, or snaps when you touch the area",
    "You see blood or thick yellow or green pus draining from the anus",
    "Your dog has a fever, feels lethargic, or refuses to eat"
   ],
   "action": [
    "Do not squeeze the area",
    "Do not wait for a regular appointment",
    "An abscess can rupture internally and spread infection"
   ]
  },
  {
   "tier": "warn",
   "label": "Book a same-day appointment",
   "signs": [
    "Your dog scoots more than a few times a day",
    "They lick or bite their rear end constantly",
    "They turn to look at their tail and whine",
    "You feel a firm, walnut-sized lump that is not hot and your dog does not cry when you touch it"
   ],
   "action": [
    "Call your veterinarian today",
    "They may want to see your dog the same day",
    "Do not attempt home expression if the glands feel hard, lumpy, or painful"
   ]
  },
  {
   "tier": "safe",
   "label": "Can watch at home for 24 to 48 hours",
   "signs": [
    "Your dog scoots once or twice a day but otherwise eats, plays, and poops normally",
    "You see no swelling, redness, blood, or discharge",
    "Your dog does not react when you gently lift their tail",
    "You have expressed the glands before and know the normal feel"
   ],
   "action": [
    "Try the home technique below once",
    "If scooting continues after two days, or if any new sign appears, book an appointment"
   ]
  }
 ]
}

What Are Anal Glands and Why Do They Cause Trouble?

Anal glands, also called anal sacs, are two small pouches lined with sweat glands. They sit between the internal and external muscles of the anus. Each sac connects to the skin through a tiny duct. When your dog poops, the pressure of the stool passing should squeeze the sacs and release their fluid. That fluid is a scent marker that tells other dogs who your dog is.

Problems start when the fluid does not empty. The sacs fill up, the fluid thickens, and your dog feels pressure and itching. Scooting is your dog's way of trying to relieve that pressure. Some dogs simply produce more fluid than others. Small breeds, overweight dogs, and dogs with chronic diarrhea or soft stools are more prone to full glands because soft stool does not press on the sacs as firmly.

What Else Could Be Causing the Scooting?

Scooting is not always anal glands. Intestinal parasites like tapeworms can cause intense itching around the anus. Allergies to food or pollen can make the skin itchy. A dog with a skin infection may lick and scoot. Sometimes a foreign object like a piece of grass or a burr gets caught in the fur around the anus. Your veterinarian can check for all of these during a quick exam. If you express the glands and the scooting continues, the cause is likely something else.

How to Express Your Dog's Anal Glands at Home

Only attempt this if your dog is calm, the area looks normal, and you have no signs of infection. You will need disposable gloves, petroleum jelly, paper towels, and a second person to help hold your dog still. A dog that squirms during this procedure can be injured, so if your dog resists, stop and let a professional do it.

Start by having your helper stand beside your dog and gently hold their chest or collar. Lift your dog's tail with one hand. Put on the gloves and apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to your index finger. Insert that finger just inside the anus, about one inch deep. You will feel two small, pea-sized bumps at the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions. Place your thumb on the outside of the anus and your index finger on the inside, so the gland sits between them. Squeeze gently and steadily, pulling slightly outward and upward. Fluid should come out through the duct. Do this for both glands. Wipe the area with a paper towel afterward.

If nothing comes out with gentle pressure, stop. Do not squeeze harder. A blocked duct can resist your efforts, and forcing it can tear the tissue. Some dogs need their glands expressed by a veterinarian who can use a different technique or check for deeper problems. The American Veterinary Medical Association offers general guidance on recognizing when your pet needs professional care, and this situation qualifies when you are unsure. The Merck Veterinary Manual also describes anal sac disease and its treatment for pet owners, which can help you understand what to expect.

When Home Care Is Not Enough

You should never express your dog's anal glands more than once a month. If your dog needs it more often, there is an underlying problem that needs attention. Chronic soft stool, food allergies, or anatomical issues can all cause repeated impaction. Your veterinarian can help you address the root cause instead of just the symptom. If you notice blood, pus, or a foul odor beyond the normal gland smell, stop all home care and book an appointment. An infected gland needs antibiotics and possibly flushing by a professional. Do not attempt to treat an infection at home.

What You Can Safely Do at Home Right Now

If your dog is scooting, licking their rear, or showing mild discomfort, there are safe steps you can take before deciding whether to call a vet. Start by putting on disposable gloves. Look at the area around your dog's anus. You are checking for redness, swelling, discharge, or a visible lump. If you see any of these, stop and do not attempt expression. That dog needs a hands-on examination.

Warm compresses can help. Soak a clean cloth in warm water, wring it out, and hold it gently against the area for five minutes. Do this two or three times a day. This can soothe irritated skin and may help a mildly impacted gland soften. Do not press hard. Do not massage the area roughly. If your dog yelps, pulls away, or seems painful, stop immediately.

You can also reduce irritation by keeping the area clean and dry. Wipe gently with a soft, damp cloth after bowel movements. A bland diet for a day or two, such as boiled chicken and rice, can reduce stool volume and give the glands a brief rest. This is not a treatment for infection. It is only comfort care while you decide on next steps.

What you must not do: never squeeze hard, never use tools, never insert anything into the anus, and never attempt expression if the area is swollen, hot, or painful. Forcing a swollen gland can rupture it into surrounding tissue, which is far worse than the original problem. If your dog has diarrhea, do not express the glands. Diarrhea often causes scooting on its own, and the glands may be empty or inflamed.

What to Write Down Before You Call a Vet

Before contacting a veterinarian, gather a few specific observations. This makes the call more useful and helps the vet decide whether you need an in-person visit. Write down:

• How many times in the past 24 hours your dog has scooted or licked the area
• Whether the scooting happens after bowel movements, after waking, or throughout the day
• What the stool looks like: firm, soft, watery, or with blood
• Whether your dog has had diarrhea or constipation in the past week
• What your dog eats, including treats and table scraps
• Any change in appetite, energy, or thirst
• Whether your dog has had anal gland problems before
• Any medications or supplements your dog takes

Also note the color of your dog's gums. Pale, white, or blue gums are an emergency. If you see that, do not call. Go to an emergency clinic now. Likewise, if your dog is vomiting repeatedly, has a swollen belly, or is straining to poop without producing anything, seek emergency care immediately. These can signal a blockage or other life-threatening problem.

The Decision Tree: Home Expression or Vet Visit?

Use this table to guide your decision. When in doubt, choose the vet visit.

What a Veterinary Visit Usually Involves

When you bring your dog in, the veterinarian will start with a history. They will ask about the signs you wrote down, your dog's diet, and any past anal gland issues. Then they will perform a physical exam. This includes palpating the anal glands, which means feeling them gently from outside and inside the rectum. This is uncomfortable for many dogs, so your dog may be muzzled or held by a technician for safety.

The vet will check the gland contents. Normal fluid is thin and brownish. Thick, pasty, or bloody contents suggest impaction or infection. If the glands are infected, the vet may recommend a culture to identify the bacteria. In some cases, they will flush the glands with a sterile solution. If there is an abscess, they may need to sedate your dog, clip the fur, drain the pus, and prescribe antibiotics and pain relief.

Costs vary widely by region and clinic. A simple expression during an office visit might cost a modest amount. An abscess that requires sedation, drainage, and medication will cost considerably more. Antibiotics and pain medication add to the total. Chronic cases may require prescription diets or referral to a specialist, which increases costs further. Always ask for a written estimate before agreeing to procedures.

When an Online Vet Can Help, and When It Cannot

Some situations in this article require hands-on care and must not be handled remotely. Any sign of an abscess, such as swelling, heat, or bloody discharge, needs an in-person exam. A dog in pain, a dog with vomiting or straining, or a dog with pale gums needs emergency care now. No video call can palpate a gland, drain an abscess, or check for a blockage. Do not use a remote consultation for these.

A remote consultation is genuinely useful for early or mild presentations. If your dog scooted once or twice and has no swelling or pain, an online vet can help you decide whether a visit is needed. They can also answer questions about whether a sign warrants a trip to the clinic, discuss medication side effects, or follow up on a chronic condition you are already managing.

A remote veterinarian can take a thorough history, look at visible signs on video, and give advice. In many states, they can prescribe medication, but rules differ by state. Some states require an in-person examination before a prescription is written. A remote vet cannot palpate the abdomen, listen to the chest, take a temperature, run bloodwork, or image anything. Those limitations matter for anal gland problems, because the underlying cause may be internal. For guidance on working with your veterinarian and understanding when a visit is needed, the American Veterinary Medical Association's pet owner resources and the American Animal Hospital Association's pet owner guidance are reliable starting points. Use remote care for triage and advice. Use in-person care for anything that involves pain, swelling, or uncertainty.

Common Mistakes Owners Make With Anal Gland Problems

Many well-meaning owners make the same errors. Knowing them can save your dog pain and save you a vet bill.

Mistake: Squeezing too hard. The glands sit deep under the skin. Hard squeezing can bruise tissue, push infection deeper, or rupture the gland. If the fluid does not come out with gentle, steady pressure, stop. Do not force it.

Mistake: Expressing too often. Doing it weekly when your dog does not need it can irritate the glands and make them produce more fluid. Most dogs need help only every few weeks, or not at all.

Mistake: Ignoring the smell. A fishy odor on your furniture or your dog's rear end is a sign of full glands, not a grooming failure. It means the glands are not emptying on their own.

Mistake: Assuming scooting is always anal glands. Allergies, intestinal parasites, and skin infections cause scooting too. If you express the glands and the scooting continues, the cause is elsewhere.

Mistake: Treating a red, swollen area as a normal gland. Swelling, heat, or blood means infection or abscess. Home expression can make this much worse.

How to Reduce the Chance of It Happening Again

Healthy stool is the best natural gland expression. When your dog passes firm feces, the pressure empties the glands as they move through the rectum. Soft stool does not provide that pressure.

Fiber helps. Adding a teaspoon of plain canned pumpkin, cooked sweet potato, or a fiber supplement to meals can firm up stool. Ask your vet for the right amount for your dog's size. Do not guess.

Weight matters. Overweight dogs have more trouble emptying their glands because of extra tissue around the area. Keeping your dog lean reduces the problem.

Address allergies. Many dogs with chronic anal gland trouble have food or environmental allergies. Itchy skin, red ears, or frequent paw licking often accompany the gland issues. Work with your vet to find the trigger.

Treat diarrhea promptly. Every bout of loose stool leaves the glands fuller. If your dog has frequent soft stools, that is a medical issue to solve, not a gland issue to manage.

Regular grooming and checks. If your dog is prone to this, check the area weekly. Look for redness, swelling, or discharge. Catching a problem early is easier than treating an abscess.

What Recovery and Ongoing Management Usually Look Like

If you expressed a full but healthy gland, your dog should feel relief within a day. Scooting usually stops within 24 to 48 hours. The area may be slightly tender for a day.

If your dog had an infection or abscess treated by a vet, recovery takes longer. Antibiotics are typically given for one to two weeks. Pain relief may be needed for the first few days. The vet may have flushed the gland and may ask you to apply warm compresses at home. Follow their instructions exactly.

For dogs with chronic problems, management is ongoing. Some dogs need expression every three to four weeks for life. Others improve with diet changes alone. Your vet can help you find the pattern that works.

Watch for these signs during recovery: worsening swelling, fever, loss of appetite, or a return of scooting. Any of these means a follow-up visit.

Some dogs never improve with home care. If your dog has repeated infections, abscesses, or ruptures, your vet may discuss surgical removal of the glands. This is a routine procedure with good outcomes, but it is a decision to make with your veterinarian.

The American Veterinary Medical Association offers general guidance on recognizing when your pet needs professional care. The MSD Veterinary Manual explains that anal gland problems range from simple impaction to serious infection, and the treatment differs for each.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I express my dog's anal glands?

Only when your dog shows signs of fullness. Those signs are scooting, licking the rear, a fishy smell, or sitting uncomfortably. For most dogs, that is every few weeks or less. Some dogs never need help. If you find yourself expressing more than once a week, talk to your vet. Frequent expression can irritate the glands and increase fluid production, creating a cycle.

Can I use a glove or should I use a paper towel?

Use a disposable glove and a paper towel or gauze. The glove protects you from bacteria and keeps the fluid off your hands. Place the paper towel over the gland before you squeeze so the fluid is absorbed. Have a second towel ready. The fluid has a strong odor and can stain fabric, so work over a surface you can clean easily.

What does normal anal gland fluid look like?

Normal fluid is thin, yellowish-brown, and has a strong, fishy smell. It may be slightly watery or a bit thicker, like thin honey. If the fluid is thick like toothpaste, gritty, bloody, or dark brown, that is abnormal. Stop and call your vet. Those changes can indicate infection or impaction that needs professional treatment.

My dog scoots but nothing comes out when I try. What now?

Stop squeezing. If you feel a firm, round lump and no fluid comes out, the gland may be impacted, meaning the opening is blocked. If the area is hot, red, or painful, it may be infected. Do not keep pressing. Call your vet the same day. A blocked or infected gland can rupture, which is painful and requires more involved treatment.

Is it safe to express my dog's glands in the bathtub?

Yes, the bathtub is a practical place. The fluid washes away easily and the smell does not linger on furniture. Have your dog stand on a towel for grip. Work from behind your dog, never from the front. If your dog is anxious, have someone hold the front end and offer treats. A calm dog is easier and safer to handle.

How do I know if I am doing it correctly?

You will feel the gland empty under your fingers. The fluid will appear on the paper towel, and the firm lump will soften and shrink. Your dog may relax or stop scooting within a day. If you are unsure whether you emptied the gland, or if your dog seems more uncomfortable after your attempt, contact your vet. A quick check at the clinic is better than a missed infection.

Related Clinical & Scientific Guides

• How to Help Your Senior Cat with Mobility Issues: Tips and Products
• How to Prepare Your Cat for a Vet Visit for Kidney Disease
• What Blood Tests Does My Senior Dog Need and What Do They Cost?

References and Further Reading

• AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats
• International Renal Interest Society Staging Guidelines
• AVMA Pet Owner Resources
• MSD Veterinary Manual Pet Owner Version
• AAHA Pet Owner Resources

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This article is general educational information for pet owners. It is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, examination, or treatment. If your pet is showing severe or rapidly worsening signs, contact an emergency veterinary hospital immediately.