Pawsitively Clean no longer offers anal gland expression. If you think your pet may not be emptying their own glands (they should do this each time they empty their bowels) you should talk with your veterinarian to figure out why. For more information on anal gland expression, including some advice on how to do it yourself see below:

 

While not a pleasant topic to discuss, anal gland problems are no picnic for your pooch either.

Your dog has a set of anal glands placed on either side of their anus. In the wild (or on a walk) these glands secrete scent which your dog uses to mark its territory when it has a bowel movement.

For many reasons, sometimes these tear-shaped glands get blocked. This means that while more and more liquid is produced, none is being expressed into your dog's stools. Signs of blocked anal glands include rump scooting, bloody stools, strong odor or a swollen anus.

Expressing your dog's anal glands is realatively easy (but again, not pleasant for anyone). Use one hand to hold up the dog’s tail and pull it gently toward the head. Hold a disposable cloth or tissue in the other hand. Place your thumb externally over one anal gland and your fingers over the other. Press in and apply firm pressure as you pull your fingers posteriorly over the glands. The glands should empty out into your tissue.

Normal anal sac fluid should come out slightly yellow or brown in color. Impacted sacs will be very difficult to express and the material may be pasty and colored gray or black.

Again, we highly recommed that you see your veterinarian if your pet is not expressing their anal glands on their own.