Have you noticed your dog scooting its butt against the carpet constantly lately? Or maybe they’ve been chewing at their tail or excessively licking their rear? If so, your dog is likely dealing with full anal glands, which means you get to experience the dubious pleasure of cleaning them out!
A dog’s anal glands contain an incredibly smelly liquid that causes your dog’s poop to carry a scent unique to it (likely to help mark territory), and sometimes, this fluid needs to be released. Usually, this will occur naturally when your dog poops, but occasionally your pup will need a helping hand.
If you’ve never expressed your dog’s anal glands before, you need to know exactly what to do, as not being careful enough during the process can lead to issues such as inflammation or ruptured glands. If you read through this article and still aren’t positive you can do it exactly right, we recommend letting the professionals handle it instead.
Before You Begin
Before you begin expressing your dog’s anal glands, you’re going to need to gather a few supplies. This is a stinky, dirty job, so you want to ensure you have yourself and the area you’re working in covered to prevent as much messiness as possible!
How to Clean a Dog’s Anal Glands Externally (8 Steps)
How to Express a Dog’s Anal Glands
There are two ways to express your dog’s anal glands—externally and internally. You’re probably going to want to try externally first because it’s a bit less gross. But if that doesn’t work, internally will be the next option. Below are the steps you’ll need to follow to express your dog’s anal glands.
How to Express Your Dog’s Anal Glands Internally
Final Thoughts
Occasionally, your furry friend will need a hand cleaning out their anal glands. If you think you’re up to the job, you can use the steps above to get rid of excess liquid quickly and safely. Just remember to be extremely careful so the anal glands don’t accidentally become damaged. Also, keep in mind that if the liquid being milked comes out bloody, you should get your pet to the vet straight away as there may be an infection.
If you feel you might not be ready to do this on your own, take your dog to your vet instead, so they can help. You may want to ask them to demonstrate how to clean the anal glands, so you can do the job next time!
Finally, maybe give your dog a treat after the whole ordeal is over. They will definitely deserve it!
- Related Read: Why Are My Dog’s Anal Glands Leaking? Our Vet Explains
Featured Image Credit: Yekatseryna Netuk, Shutterstock
