Anal Gland Problems and Skin Issues in Dogs

Based on peer reviewed veterinary research · For educational purposes only · Updated October 2026 · 10 min read

Photo by Anya Prygunova on Unsplash

Anal gland problems are one of the most common reasons dog owners visit the veterinarian, and while the topic may not be pleasant to discuss, understanding these issues is important for your dog's comfort and health. The anal glands, also called anal sacs, are two small, grape-sized pouches located just inside the anus at roughly the four o'clock and eight o'clock positions. These glands produce a pungent, oily secretion that is normally expelled during defecation, serving as a scent-marking function. When these glands fail to empty properly, a cascade of problems can develop ranging from mild discomfort to serious infection and skin damage.

The relationship between anal gland problems and skin health is more significant than many owners realize. Dogs with chronic anal gland issues often develop secondary skin problems in the perianal region, including bacterial dermatitis from constant licking, moisture-induced skin breakdown, and infection spreading from ruptured abscesses. Additionally, some of the most common underlying causes of anal gland dysfunction, particularly food allergies and inflammatory bowel disease, are systemic conditions that also affect the skin throughout the body. Addressing the root cause benefits both the anal glands and overall skin health.

This article covers the spectrum of anal gland problems in dogs, from routine impaction to the more serious conditions of abscessation and perianal fistulas. You will learn why these problems develop, how to recognize them early, what treatments are available, and what dietary and management strategies can reduce the frequency of recurrence. Whether your dog needs occasional manual expression or is dealing with chronic perianal disease, understanding the anatomy and pathophysiology empowers you to work more effectively with your veterinarian.

Understanding Anal Gland Anatomy and Function

What Are Anal Glands?

The anal glands are paired, sac-like structures embedded in the musculature surrounding the anus, located between the internal and external anal sphincters. Each gland has a small duct that opens just inside the anal margin. The glands are lined with apocrine (scent-producing) and sebaceous glands that produce a thick, oily, strongly odorous secretion that ranges in color from yellowish-brown to gray. This secretion contains volatile compounds unique to each dog, serving as a chemical identification card during the ritualized sniffing behavior dogs display when meeting each other. In wild canids, anal gland secretion also plays a role in territory marking.

How Anal Glands Normally Empty

Under normal circumstances, anal glands are expressed passively during defecation. As a firm stool passes through the anal canal, it exerts pressure against the anal sac ducts, squeezing out a small amount of secretion that coats the stool surface. This is why dogs may show particular interest in each other's feces, as the anal gland secretion provides scent information. Emotional arousal, fear, and muscle contraction during certain body positions can also cause partial gland expression. When this natural emptying mechanism works correctly, most dog owners are completely unaware of the anal glands' existence.

Why Anal Glands Become Problematic

Problems arise when the anal glands fail to empty completely during normal defecation. This can happen for several reasons: soft or small stools that do not create sufficient pressure, ducts that become narrowed or blocked due to inflammation, glandular secretion that becomes unusually thick and paste-like rather than fluid, anatomical positioning of the glands deeper within the musculature where stool pressure is insufficient, and chronic inflammation from allergic disease or recurrent infection. When the glands do not empty, the secretion accumulates, the glands become distended and uncomfortable, and the retained material provides a medium for bacterial overgrowth.

Breeds Predisposed to Anal Gland Issues

While any dog can develop anal gland problems, certain breeds are significantly predisposed. Small breeds including Chihuahuas, Toy Poodles, Miniature Poodles, Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, and Beagles have a higher incidence of anal gland impaction, possibly due to smaller duct size relative to secretion volume. German Shepherds have a strong breed predisposition to perianal fistulas. Bulldogs and other brachycephalic breeds frequently have chronic anal gland issues. Obese dogs of any breed are predisposed because excess perianal fat alters the anatomical relationship between the glands and the anal canal, impairing natural expression.

Common Anal Gland Problems and Their Skin Effects

Anal Gland Impaction

Impaction is the most common anal gland problem, occurring when the gland secretion thickens and the glands fail to empty completely. Signs include scooting (dragging the bottom along the ground), excessive licking or chewing at the perianal area, a fishy or foul odor, straining to defecate, and visible discomfort when sitting. The constant licking and scooting associated with impaction causes secondary skin damage in the perianal region, including erythema, excoriation, moisture dermatitis, and bacterial infection. Impacted glands need to be manually expressed by a veterinarian or trained technician who can assess the consistency of the secretion and check for signs of infection.

Anal Gland Infection and Abscess

When bacteria colonize the retained secretion in an impacted gland, infection develops. An infected anal gland is painful, swollen, and the secretion changes from its normal color to a purulent, bloody, or green-tinged appearance. If the infection progresses without treatment, an abscess forms, a walled-off pocket of pus within and around the gland. Anal gland abscesses can rupture through the skin adjacent to the anus, creating an open, draining wound that is painful, messy, and prone to environmental contamination. Treatment typically involves lancing and flushing the abscess under sedation, systemic antibiotics, pain management, and warm compresses to promote drainage. The resulting wound requires careful cleaning and topical antimicrobial treatment until it heals.

Perianal Fistulas (Anal Furunculosis)

Perianal fistulas are deep, tunneling ulcerations that develop in the tissue surrounding the anus. They appear as one or more deep, draining, malodorous tracts in the perianal skin and can extend into the anal sphincter musculature and even the rectal wall. German Shepherds are overwhelmingly the most commonly affected breed, likely due to both immune-mediated factors and their broad, low-set tail that creates a warm, moist environment over the perianal skin. Perianal fistulas cause severe pain, difficulty defecating, constant perianal licking, and significant skin destruction around the anus. The condition is now understood to be primarily immune-mediated and is treated with immunosuppressive medications, most commonly cyclosporine combined with a topical tacrolimus ointment.

Perianal Dermatitis from Chronic Issues

Dogs with chronic anal gland problems often develop secondary perianal dermatitis, a condition where the skin surrounding the anus becomes red, irritated, moist, and infected due to constant licking, scooting, and exposure to anal gland secretions and fecal material. The perianal skin may become thickened (lichenified), hyperpigmented, and chronically infected with bacteria and yeast. This secondary dermatitis adds to the dog's discomfort and creates a cycle of irritation that drives further licking and scooting. Treating the perianal dermatitis alongside the underlying anal gland problem is essential for the dog's comfort.

Regular monitoring and dietary management help prevent anal gland complications in predisposed dogs.

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The Connection Between Diet, Allergies, and Anal Glands

How Stool Quality Affects Anal Gland Function

The firmness and bulk of your dog's stool directly influences anal gland expression. Firm, well-formed stools create the mechanical pressure needed to compress the anal sac ducts during defecation, naturally expressing the glands with each bowel movement. Soft, loose, or small stools fail to generate sufficient pressure, leading to incomplete gland emptying and gradual accumulation of secretion. Diets high in digestible protein and low in fiber tend to produce smaller, softer stools. Adding appropriate fiber sources to the diet, such as psyllium husk, canned pumpkin (not pie filling), or a veterinary high-fiber diet, increases stool bulk and firmness, improving natural gland expression.

Food Allergies as an Underlying Cause

Food allergies are one of the most underrecognized causes of chronic anal gland problems in dogs. Allergic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and perianal skin alters stool consistency, increases perianal inflammation, and may cause swelling of the anal gland ducts, all of which impair normal gland function. Dogs with food allergies often present with a combination of recurrent anal gland impaction, ear infections, paw licking, and intermittent gastrointestinal signs. An elimination diet trial using a novel protein or hydrolyzed protein diet for eight to twelve weeks is the gold standard for diagnosing food allergy and can produce dramatic improvement in anal gland function for allergy-affected dogs.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Anal Glands

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) produces chronic gastrointestinal inflammation that affects stool quality, increases perianal inflammation, and predisposes dogs to anal gland dysfunction. Dogs with IBD may have chronic soft stools, mucoid stools, or diarrhea that fails to naturally express the anal glands. The systemic inflammation associated with IBD may also affect the anal gland tissue directly. Managing IBD through dietary modification, immunosuppressive therapy, and probiotics often improves anal gland function as a secondary benefit. Your veterinarian may recommend diagnostic testing including intestinal biopsies if IBD is suspected.

Dietary Strategies for Anal Gland Health

For dogs prone to anal gland problems, dietary modifications can make a significant difference. Adding fiber to increase stool bulk is the most direct intervention. Psyllium husk powder, given at one teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight mixed into food, is a commonly recommended fiber supplement. Canned plain pumpkin puree provides gentle fiber and moisture. Commercial high-fiber veterinary diets are available for dogs needing more substantial dietary changes. Adequate water intake is essential, as fiber without sufficient water can cause constipation. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation from fish oil may help reduce perianal inflammation in dogs with allergic components to their anal gland dysfunction.

Treatment and Management Options

Manual Anal Gland Expression

Regular manual expression is the standard management for dogs with chronic anal gland impaction. This can be performed externally (by applying pressure to the outside of the glands through the perianal skin) or internally (by inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum and expressing each gland individually against the thumb). Internal expression is more thorough and is the method used by most veterinary professionals. The frequency of expression varies by individual, with some dogs needing it every three to four weeks and others every two to three months. While some groomers offer anal gland expression, veterinary professionals are preferred because they can assess the gland contents for signs of infection and detect abnormalities early.

Medical Treatment for Infections

Infected anal glands require more than simple expression. Your veterinarian will express the infected gland, often under sedation if the dog is painful, and may infuse the gland with an antibiotic ointment. Systemic oral antibiotics are prescribed for moderate to severe infections, with the choice guided by cytology or culture of the gland contents. Pain management with anti-inflammatory medication helps the dog remain comfortable during treatment. Warm compresses applied to the perianal area several times daily can promote drainage and comfort. For ruptured abscesses, the wound must be kept clean with gentle flushing and topical antimicrobial application until it heals from the inside out.

Surgical Anal Sacculectomy

For dogs with chronic, recurrent anal gland problems that do not respond to dietary management and regular expression, surgical removal of the anal glands (anal sacculectomy) is a definitive solution. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and involves careful dissection of each anal sac from the surrounding sphincter musculature. Potential complications include temporary or permanent fecal incontinence (rare when performed by experienced surgeons), infection, and wound dehiscence. Most dogs recover well and experience permanent resolution of anal gland problems. Anal sacculectomy should be considered when the frequency of impaction or infection significantly impacts the dog's quality of life despite appropriate medical management.

Treating Perianal Skin Damage

Secondary perianal dermatitis from chronic anal gland problems requires its own treatment alongside addressing the gland issues. Gently cleaning the perianal area with a mild antiseptic solution or chlorhexidine-based wipe helps control bacterial and yeast colonization. Applying a moisture barrier cream protects irritated skin from further contamination by fecal material. For dogs with significant perianal bacterial or yeast dermatitis, your veterinarian may prescribe topical antimicrobial or antifungal products. Keeping the perianal hair trimmed short in long-coated breeds improves hygiene and reduces moisture trapping. Preventing licking with an e-collar during the healing phase allows the damaged skin to recover.

Prevention and Long-Term Anal Gland Health

Fiber Supplementation Protocols

Consistent fiber supplementation is the most effective non-surgical strategy for preventing anal gland impaction. Start with a low dose and gradually increase to avoid gastrointestinal upset. Psyllium husk at one teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight is a widely used starting point. Plain canned pumpkin at one to four tablespoons per meal depending on dog size is a palatable alternative. Some dogs respond well to a commercial high-fiber diet as their primary food. Monitor stool quality, aiming for firm, well-formed stools that are easy to pick up. If stools become too hard or if the dog strains to defecate, reduce the fiber amount.

Weight Management

Maintaining a healthy body weight is important for anal gland health. Excess perianal fat deposits in overweight and obese dogs alter the anatomical position of the anal sacs and impair their ability to empty during defecation. Weight loss in obese dogs with chronic anal gland problems often produces noticeable improvement in gland function. Work with your veterinarian to establish a target weight and develop a calorie-restricted feeding plan with regular weigh-ins to track progress.

Regular Veterinary Monitoring

Dogs with a history of anal gland problems benefit from regular veterinary check-ups that include anal gland assessment. Your veterinarian can evaluate gland fullness, secretion consistency, and any signs of early infection before symptoms develop. For dogs on a regular expression schedule, keeping a log of expression dates, the amount and quality of secretion obtained, and any signs of discomfort helps your vet optimize the management plan. Report any changes in scooting frequency, perianal licking, or stool quality between scheduled visits.

Recognizing Early Warning Signs

Learning to recognize the early signs of anal gland filling helps you seek timely expression before impaction develops. Early signs include increased attention to the rear end, occasional scooting (once or twice rather than persistently), a slightly fishy odor, and mild restlessness or difficulty getting comfortable when sitting. These subtle signs may precede the more obvious scooting, licking, and perianal swelling by several days. Prompt expression at the first sign of filling is more comfortable for the dog than waiting until the glands are fully impacted and painful.

Anal Gland Problems and Skin Issues in Dogs FAQ

Q: Why does my dog scoot on the floor?

Scooting is the most common sign of anal gland discomfort. When the anal glands are full, impacted, or irritated, dogs drag their bottom along the ground in an attempt to relieve the pressure. While anal gland problems are the most common cause, scooting can also be caused by tapeworms, perianal irritation, allergies, or rectal conditions. If scooting is persistent, a veterinary evaluation is recommended to determine the cause.

Q: How often should anal glands be expressed?

There is no one-size-fits-all schedule. Some dogs never need manual expression because their glands empty naturally with normal defecation. Others may need expression every three to four weeks. Your veterinarian can help establish an appropriate schedule based on your dog's individual needs. Unnecessary frequent expression can actually cause inflammation, so expression should only be performed when the glands are full or the dog is showing signs of discomfort.

Q: Can diet really help with anal gland problems?

Yes, dietary management is one of the most effective strategies for improving anal gland function. Adding fiber to your dog's diet increases stool bulk and firmness, which promotes natural gland expression during defecation. Dogs with food allergies may experience dramatic improvement in anal gland function when switched to a hypoallergenic diet. Consult your veterinarian about appropriate dietary modifications for your dog's specific situation.

Q: What does an anal gland abscess look like?

An anal gland abscess presents as a red, swollen, painful area adjacent to the anus, usually on one side. The skin over the abscess may appear purplish or discolored. If the abscess ruptures, you will see an open, draining wound near the anus producing bloody or purulent fluid with a strong, foul odor. Ruptured abscesses require veterinary treatment including wound care, antibiotics, and pain management.

Q: Are perianal fistulas the same as anal gland problems?

No, perianal fistulas (anal furunculosis) are a distinct condition, though they can co-exist with anal gland problems. Perianal fistulas are deep, tunneling ulcerations in the tissue surrounding the anus, believed to be primarily immune-mediated in nature. They are most common in German Shepherds. Treatment involves immunosuppressive medications like cyclosporine rather than the expression and antibiotics used for standard anal gland issues.

Sources

Halnan, C.R.E. 'The diagnosis of anal sacculitis in the dog.' Journal of Small Animal Practice, 1976; 17(8): 527-535.

James, D.J., Griffin, C.E., Polissar, N.L. 'Perianal fistulas in 38 dogs treated with a combination of cyclosporine and ketoconazole.' Veterinary Dermatology, 2010; 21(4): 384-392.

Pappalardo, E. et al. 'Cyclosporin A treatment of canine anal furunculosis.' Australian Veterinary Journal, 2009; 87(5): 178-183.

Lake, A.M. et al. 'A prospective study of 27 dogs with anal furunculosis treated with cyclosporine alone or in combination.' Veterinary Dermatology, 2017; 28(1): 76-e18.

Hill, L.N., Smeak, D.D. 'Open versus closed bilateral anal sacculectomy for treatment of non-neoplastic anal sac disease in dogs.' JAVMA, 2002; 221(5): 662-665.

Related Reading

• Why Is My Dog Scooting?, Exploring the causes of bottom-dragging behavior in dogs
• Elimination Diet for Dogs, How food allergy testing helps chronic health problems
• Bacterial Skin Infections in Dogs, Understanding and treating canine pyoderma
• Yeast Infections in Dogs, Managing Malassezia dermatitis in dogs

E. Maddens

Founder of Vetified. Develops topical antifungal and antimicrobial formulations for companion animals. Vetified products are listed on DailyMed and manufactured through FDA-registered facilities in the United States.