The Role They Play and How Their Dysfunction Can Impact Dog Health
Let's dive in with a look at a small but mighty part of your pet's anatomy: the anal sacs, more commonly referred to as anal glands. These little paired pouches are tucked away on either side of your dog's rear end and, believe it or not, they play a bigger role in your pup's life than you might think. From signaling territory to contributing to overall health, these sacs do a lot of work behind the scenes—until something goes wrong, that is. In this piece, we’ll explore the anatomy, function, and common issues. Whether you’re a seasoned dog owner or new to the game, this guide will help you understand this often-overlooked aspect of your pet’s health.
Â
What Are Anal Glands?
Even though we often call them "anal glands," they’re actually more like little sacs or reservoirs that store a pretty potent fluid. These anal sacs are tiny pouches located around the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions around your pup’s anus, just beneath the skin. Lined with sebaceous glands (which produce oil) and apocrine glands (similar to sweat glands), these sacs are encased in smooth muscle that helps contract the glands and release their contents.
The fluid that the sebaceous and apocrine glands create is strong-smelling and packed with fatty acids, pheromones, and other compounds. When your dog does their business—or even when they’re stressed or scared—the muscles around these sacs give a squeeze, releasing that fluid. This anal gland fluid is essential for your dog’s natural way of marking territory, communicating with other dogs, and even playing a role in their detoxification process.
Â
How Do Anal Glands Relate to Detoxification?
Anal glands are a part of dog's natural detoxification system, right alongside the liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, and the GI tract. As a component of the GI tract, these sacs help to remove waste products and toxins from the body.
By producing a secretion, anal glands help to lubricate and ease the passage of stool through the rectum. Another intriguing aspect is that the secretion isn’t just about smooth exits. It’s packed with enzymes that help break down and remove waste products, like bilirubin, from your dog’s body.
Bilirubin is produced when hemoglobin is broken down in the spleen and bone marrow, but it gets processed and prepped for excretion in the liver. Anal glands play their part in making sure this waste gets out, keeping your pup’s system running smoothly.
Also produced in the anal glands is  an enzyme called sulfatase, which plays a big role in breaking down and getting rid of sulfates from the body. Sulfates can sneak in from all sorts of places, like food, environmental pollutants, and even some medications. These enzymes work hard to keep your dog’s system balanced and healthy! [3] [4]
Â
Symptoms of Anal Gland Dysfunction
Is your dog dragging his rear end on the ground, licking or biting at his rear, sitting uncomfortably, having trouble sitting or standing, or even chasing his tail? These might seem like quirky behaviors, but they can be signs of a bigger issue with your dog’s anal glands. As long as the ducts in the anal glands are open and the fluid is the right consistency, your dog should be just fine. But when chronic issues start to creep in, those ducts can get blocked, turning these behaviors into symptoms of a more serious underlying problem. Over time, what starts as a minor annoyance can become a signal of chronic disease affecting your pup’s health. [5]
Types of Anal Gland Issues
Despite their small size, anal glands can cause significant problems for pets and pet parents when they become impacted, infected, or abscessed. Â
Impaction occurs when the glandular fluid becomes too thick to be expressed naturally, leading to a buildup of material within the sacs. This can cause discomfort, swelling, and the characteristic "scooting" behavior, where a dog drags its hindquarters along the ground in an attempt to relieve the pressure.
If left untreated, impacted anal glands can become infected, resulting in pain and inflammation, and the formation of abscesses. In severe cases, the abscesses may rupture, leading to the discharge of pus and blood. Treatment for these conditions typically involves manual expression of the glands, oral antibiotics for infection, and, in recurrent cases, surgical removal of the glands will be suggested. [6]
Â
Causes of Anal Gland Issues
The main culprits behind anal gland issues often include drugs, chemicals, highly processed, low-nutrient kibble, and even vaccines. As I mentioned earlier, your pet’s body uses every possible avenue to detoxify—including the anal glands—to flush out these toxins.
Diet plays a significant role in keeping those anal glands functioning smoothly. As a pet parent, our target is to find a diet that encourages a good, firm push during defecation. That natural pressure helps to express the anal glands properly. Without it, the glands and their ducts can swell shut, or the discharge can become so thick that your dog struggles to pass it.
Â
Should I Express My Dogs Anal Glands?
Expressing your dog’s anal glands involves manually squeezing them—usually with the thumb and index finger—to push out the fluid inside. Some groomers and vets do this as part of their routine, and they might even suggest that you do it yourself at home. But here’s the thing: don’t do it, and don’t let anyone else do it either! When you take your dog to the groomer, make sure to let them know you don’t need this service. Anal glands are designed to express naturally, and forcing the process can actually cause more harm than good. Let nature take its course! [5]
Â
Should I have my pet's anal gland(s) removed?
When dealing with chronic anal gland issues like infections or impactions, some veterinarians might suggest the drastic step of removing your dog’s anal glands. But here’s my advice: don’t do it! This is one of the worst things you can do for your dog. Removing the anal glands can cause permanent damage to the anal sphincter and strips away a vital detox pathway. The toxins that would normally exit through the anal glands can get trapped deeper in your dog’s body, leading to even more health problems.
If those anal sacs were removed, you might see some changes in your dog’s behavior, especially in how they mark their territory or interact with other dogs. Those secretions are packed with pheromones that play a big part in communication. Without them, some dogs might show slight changes in their social interactions, but for most pet dogs, it’s not a huge deal. The impact is generally mild and, in most cases, not something to worry about too much. While the anal glands do play a role in your dog’s social life, the real concern is the potential health issues that could arise down the line from removing them.
Â
In Summary
Anal gland issues aren’t just a problem on their own—they’re a signal that your dog’s system might be a bit overloaded with toxins and could use a little help getting back to its squeaky clean self. Instead of relying on the usual routine of regular gland expressing, drugs, chemicals, or surgery, try focusing on these natural anal gland treatment solutions.
If someone you know is seeking extra support for their dog’s anal gland issues, don’t keep it to yourself—share this information and help them find the natural solutions they need!
Book a virtual pet wellness consult with Dr. Andi today! Whether you're navigating the ins and outs of pet nutrition, tackling health concerns, or just looking for personalized advice to keep your pet happy and healthy, Dr. Andi is here to guide you every step of the way.
You can find more pet health resources including, videos, podcasts, articles, tips, programs, & raw dog food meal ideas, by joining our FREE Everwell Pets Tribe!
Citations
1. Miller, M. A., & Zachary, J. F. (2017). Pathologic Basis of Veterinary Disease (6th ed.).
2. Fossum, T. W. (2018). Small Animal Surgery (5th ed.).
3. Zoran, Deborah L. Canine Anatomy: A Clinical Approach
4. The Merck Veterinary Manual" by Merck & Co., Inc.
6. Nelson, R. W., & Couto, C. G. (2019). Small Animal Internal Medicine (6th ed.)
Comments