How to clean the anal glands of your dog in just a few easy steps

Jul 26,2025
4Min

How to clean the dog’s anal glands

First, turn the dog’s tail upward to reveal the anus. Press the thumb and index finger of your right hand on the anal glands at the four and eight o'clock positions and squeeze them inward. You will feel the anal gland fluid being discharged like squeezing out toothpaste. Repeat this squeeze several times until the anal gland fluid is drained. Nothing can be pressed out. However, it should be noted that if the force used is incorrect, it will inflame the anal glands. The technique must be from the inside out, from light to heavy.
When squeezing, it is best to cover the anus with tissue paper or cotton to prevent smelly water from splashing on the body. If the glands have been blocked for some time, the secretions will squeeze out like toothpaste rather than squirting out, and they usually come out with just a gentle squeeze. If the dog's anal glands are difficult to squeeze, another method is needed. Place your index finger and thumb slightly behind the glands and gently squeeze upward and outward.
Normal secretions are light yellow-brown in color, ranging in concentration from watery to paste-like, and accompanied by a foul odor. If there is pus and blood in the secretion, it means you are infected and you should see a doctor as soon as possible. If you can feel the accumulation but cannot squeeze it out, it means that the anal gland is blocked and must be treated by a doctor as soon as possible, otherwise it will swell.

Frequency of dog anal gland cleaning

The fluid sacs in the dog’s anus should be checked regularly. The frequency of cleaning the anal glands depends on the frequency of knot accumulation in each dog. Some may be once a month. In some cases, there will be no accumulated accumulation in two or three months, and in others, there is no need to clean up at all. Small dogs are more likely to get clogged than larger dogs, possibly because they eat softer and more plentiful food than larger dogs, leading to more buildup. Generally speaking, it is best to squeeze once a month.

The reason why dogs clean their anal glands

The anal glands are a pair of exocrine glands located in the skin and mucous membrane on both sides of the dog's anus. Its main function is to secrete some irritating substances. Scented liquid as a canine sign. If the fluid secreted by the anal glands has high viscosity and excessive accumulation, it will be difficult to discharge. Anal adenitis is mostly caused by anal gland obstruction. The symptoms of affected dogs are: initial itching, walking forward or rubbing the ground back and forth with their anus mopping after defecation and when they are quiet, and licking back and forth around the anus or after biting. The fur on the outside of the upper legs and the base of the tail. If not treated in time, the sick dog will have hind limb walking difficulties. After walking a few steps, the anus will suddenly touch the ground, spread the two hind limbs, and look back at the anus. Further development may lead to anal gland rupture, and cavities appear on one or both sides of the anus. hole, with pus and blood flowing out.
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