Dog Anal Gland Disease: Recognising and Managing a Common Welfare Problem

Anal gland (anal sac) disease is one of the most common causes of discomfort in dogs, yet frequently goes unrecognised or undertreated by owners and veterinarians.

Key Facts

Anal glands are scent-marking organs located at 4 and 8 o'clock positions around the anus — normally expressed during defecation.
Approximately 12% of dogs present to vets with anal gland problems at some point in their lives.
Cocker spaniels, Cavalier King Charles spaniels, and toy breeds are at highest risk of impaction.
Impacted anal glands cause intense discomfort leading to scooting, licking, biting at the base of the tail, and restlessness.
Untreated impaction progresses to infection and abscess formation — a significantly more painful condition.

Welfare Considerations

Anal gland discomfort is often dismissed as minor or even amusing (scooting behaviour is frequently shared online). This trivialisation fails to recognise that anal gland impaction causes persistent, often severe discomfort. Dogs expressing anal gland discomfort through scooting, excessive licking, or restlessness are experiencing real welfare compromise that deserves prompt attention. Abscesses are extremely painful and may rupture, creating open wounds requiring veterinary treatment. Prevention through dietary fibre optimisation (firm stools naturally express anal glands), weight management, and regular veterinary assessment reduces impaction frequency. Some dogs require regular manual expression by a vet or trained nurse; owners attempting home expression without training risk causing injury. Surgical removal (anal sacculectomy) is appropriate for dogs with chronic, recurrent problems.

What You Can Do

Seek veterinary assessment if your dog is scooting, licking excessively at the base of the tail, or showing signs of discomfort when sitting.
Ensure adequate dietary fibre — firm stools naturally express anal glands during defecation.
Maintain healthy body weight — obese dogs have higher anal gland impaction rates.
Never attempt to manually express anal glands without veterinary training.
Discuss regular professional expression schedules with your vet for chronic sufferers.