Anal Gland Care for Young Dogs: What Owners Should Know

In this guide

It is not the most glamorous part of dog ownership, but understanding what a puppy's anal glands do, and recognising when they need help, saves a young dog real discomfort. Most puppies never need any intervention at all, which makes it worth knowing the signs that separate normal from a problem worth addressing.

What these glands actually do

Two small scent glands sit just inside a dog's anus, originally meant for territorial scent marking. In most dogs, these empty naturally with normal bowel movements, the pressure of passing stool expresses a small amount of fluid each time without any owner involvement needed. Some dogs, for reasons not always clear, do not empty efficiently on their own and need occasional manual help.

Signs a young dog's glands may need attention

• Scooting, dragging the bottom along the floor
• Excessive licking or chewing at the base of the tail
• A strong, distinctly fishy odour
• Visible swelling, redness, or sensitivity near the anus

When to leave it to a vet or groomer

If a gland looks swollen, the skin over it appears broken, there is any discharge or bleeding, or your puppy seems in genuine pain rather than just mild irritation, this needs a vet visit rather than a home attempt, since these can be signs of an infection, abscess or impaction that needs proper treatment. A first attempt at home is also generally better done after watching a vet or vet technician demonstrate the technique once, rather than learning from scratch during an already uncomfortable moment for your puppy.

The general home technique, once your vet has confirmed it is appropriate

• Have a second person gently hold and reassure the puppy, distraction with a favourite treat helps considerably
• Wear disposable gloves and have paper towels ready, this is genuinely messy and the smell is strong
• Lift the tail gently and locate the glands, positioned roughly at the four and eight o'clock points around the anus
• Apply gentle, steady pressure with thumb and forefinger, squeezing inward and slightly upward rather than pinching hard
• Clean the area thoroughly afterward with a warm, damp cloth

Why routine expression is not recommended for every puppy

Unlike ear cleaning or nail trims, anal gland expression is not something every dog needs on a fixed schedule, and doing it unnecessarily can actually cause irritation and disrupt the glands' normal function over time. The right frequency is whatever your individual puppy actually needs, which for most dogs is rarely if ever, and worth confirming with your vet rather than assuming it belongs in a routine grooming checklist.

Who tends to need this more often

Small and toy breeds are disproportionately prone to gland problems compared to larger dogs, and a puppy prone to soft or loose stool is also more likely to need manual help, since firm stool is what naturally applies the pressure that empties the glands during a normal bowel movement. If your puppy falls into either category, it is worth simply being more alert to the early signs above rather than assuming expression will be a regular necessity, most puppies still never need it even with these risk factors present.

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