Anal Gland Problems in Dogs: Scooting, Causes & Natural Stool Support

Nobody wants to talk about anal glands. I get it. But if your dog is scooting across the carpet, licking their back end constantly, or producing a smell that clears a room, we need to have this conversation. If soft stools are part of the pattern, our Anal Gland & Stool Support is the most directly relevant product for this issue.

Anal gland issues are one of the most common things I hear about from customers. And the good news is that most of the time, the solution is simpler than you think.

What Are Anal Glands and What Do They Do?

Every dog has two small glands, one on each side of the anus, sitting at roughly the four o'clock and eight o'clock positions. They produce a strong smelling fluid that is expressed naturally every time your dog passes a firm stool. The stool presses against the glands on the way out and empties them.

That is how it is supposed to work. When it does work, you never even know the glands are there.

The problems start when it does not work.

Why Anal Glands Become Blocked or Impacted

The most common reason is simple: the stools are too soft.

If your dog's poo is not firm enough, it does not put enough pressure on the glands as it passes. The fluid builds up. The glands become full, uncomfortable, and eventually impacted. Left long enough, they can become infected or even abscess.

Common causes of anal gland problems:

✔️ Soft or inconsistent stools (the number one cause)

✔️ Diet that does not include enough fibre

✔️ Food intolerances or sensitivities

✔️ Obesity (extra tissue around the glands)

✔️ Breed predisposition (small breeds and certain flat faced breeds are more prone)

✔️ Chronic digestive issues

Gus, my Frenchie, has had his moments with this. Frenchies in general seem to be prone to it. When his digestion is right and his stools are firm, his glands take care of themselves. When his tummy goes off (which, being Gus, happens any time anything changes), his glands start building up within days.

The Signs Your Dog's Anal Glands Need Attention

Scooting. The classic carpet drag. Your dog sits down and pulls themselves forward with their front legs. They are trying to relieve the pressure and discomfort.

Excessive licking or biting at the rear. If your dog is constantly turning around to lick or nibble at the base of their tail or around their bottom, the glands are likely the reason.

A strong, fishy smell. Healthy anal gland fluid has a distinctive, unpleasant smell. When the glands are overly full or leaking, you will notice it. On your dog, on the furniture, sometimes on you.

Visible swelling or redness. If the area around the anus looks puffy, red, or sore, the glands may be impacted or infected.

Straining or discomfort when passing stools. Your dog may look uncomfortable, hesitate, or cry out.

If you notice swelling, redness, heat, or any sign of infection (discharge, blood, your dog in obvious pain), please see your vet. Infected or abscessed glands need veterinary treatment. I would always rather say that than have you guessing at home with a dog in pain.

The Stool Connection (This Is the Key)

Here is the thing most people do not realise: anal gland problems are almost always a stool problem.

If you fix the stools, you usually fix the glands.

Firm, well formed stools naturally express the glands with every bowel movement. Your dog should not need manual expression as a regular thing. If they do, something upstream (diet, digestion, gut health) needs attention.

I have seen this pattern hundreds of times with customers. Dog scoots. Owner takes dog for manual expression. Two weeks later, dog scoots again. The cycle repeats because nobody addressed why the stools were soft in the first place.

How to Support Firmer Stools Naturally

Diet first. A species appropriate diet with adequate fibre and quality protein is the foundation. Some dogs do better with a little pumpkin, sweet potato, or other natural fibre sources mixed in. If you are feeding a complete food, make sure it suits your dog's digestive system. Some dogs simply do not do well on certain proteins or formulations.

Gut health matters. A balanced gut microbiome supports efficient digestion and firmer stools. Pre and probiotics can make a real difference here, especially for dogs with ongoing digestive sensitivity.

Targeted support. Our Digestive Harmony collection is formulated specifically for this. The Anal Gland & Stool Support contains a blend of natural ingredients chosen by qualified herbalists and nutritionists to help support firmer stools and healthy gland function. It is one of our most popular products, and the reason is simple: it addresses the actual cause rather than just the symptom.

All of our functional powder supplements also contain pre and probiotics, so gut support is built into every blend. For dogs where the anal gland problems sit alongside wider digestive issues, our Digestive Harmony collection can work alongside the gland support.

The live Digestive Harmony collection currently includes both products relevant to this digestive and stool-support cluster:

• Anal Gland & Stool Support
• Probiotic Digestive Gut Support

Breeds More Prone to Anal Gland Issues

While any dog can develop anal gland problems, some breeds are more commonly affected.

Small breeds tend to have proportionally smaller ducts, which can block more easily. Chihuahuas, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Miniature Poodles, and Dachshunds are frequent visitors to the vet for this reason.

Flat faced breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, English Bulldogs) often have the combination of sensitive digestion and breed anatomy that makes gland issues more likely. I live this reality with Gus and GiGi.

Spaniels (Cocker Spaniels, Springer Spaniels) are also commonly affected, often alongside other skin and ear sensitivities.

If you have one of these breeds, paying attention to stool quality from early on is one of the most practical things you can do.

Manual Expression: When and Why

Some dogs do need manual expression, and that is fine. If your dog's glands are full and uncomfortable, getting them emptied by your vet or a trained groomer provides immediate relief.

But manual expression should be the safety net, not the routine. If your dog needs their glands expressed every few weeks, that is a sign that the underlying cause (usually stool quality) needs addressing.

I would always recommend having a vet do the first expression so they can check for signs of infection, abnormal fluid, or other concerns. After that, some groomers are trained to do it. I would not recommend doing it yourself unless you have been shown how by a professional.

When to See Your Vet

See your vet if:

✔️ The area around the anus is swollen, red, hot, or weeping

✔️ You notice blood or unusual discharge

✔️ Your dog is in obvious pain (crying out, refusing to sit)

✔️ A lump or abscess has formed near the anus

✔️ The scooting and discomfort persist despite dietary changes and firmer stools

✔️ Your dog has recurrent infections in the glands

Infected or abscessed anal glands need veterinary treatment. This is not something to wait out or try to manage at home. If something feels off or sudden, your vet comes first.

The Bottom Line

Anal gland problems are uncomfortable, smelly, and frustrating, but they are usually fixable. The answer almost always comes back to stool quality. Firm, well formed stools express the glands naturally. Soft stools do not. Support the digestion, support the stools, and the glands usually take care of themselves.

If you want to explore our Digestive Harmony collection, including Anal Gland & Stool Support and Probiotic Digestive Gut Support, everything is formulated by qualified herbalists and nutritionists using human grade ingredients, made in small batches here in Britain. Trusted by over 400,000 dogs and rated 4.9 by 22,000 customers. 🐾