Last Updated on May 16, 2026 by admin
Groomers can express a dog’s anal glands, but that does not mean every dog should have it done at every grooming visit. For many dogs, the anal sacs empty naturally when they pass stool. Manual expression is mainly for dogs with a real problem, and painful, swollen, bloody, draining, or recurring anal-gland symptoms should be handled by a veterinarian.
The safest answer is simple: ask your vet whether your dog needs anal gland expression before making it a routine grooming add-on. A groomer may be able to help with mild, occasional fullness in a dog who has already been checked, but a groomer cannot diagnose infection, abscess, tumors, allergies, diarrhea, constipation, or other medical causes.
What anal glands do
Dogs have two anal sacs, often called anal glands, near the anus. These sacs make a strong-smelling fluid that usually empties in tiny amounts during bowel movements. Some dogs also release the fluid when they are frightened or excited.
Problems start when the sacs do not empty well. The material can thicken, the sacs can become impacted, and the area can become painful. Impaction can progress to inflammation, infection, abscessation, rupture, or, less commonly, a tumor. That is why anal gland problems belong in the same category as other medical signs: they are not just a grooming nuisance.
Signs your dog may have an anal gland problem
Call your veterinarian if you notice repeated scooting, licking, chewing near the anus or base of the tail, a strong fishy odor, straining to poop, reluctance to sit, tail-down sensitivity, swelling, redness, discharge, blood, pus, or an open sore near the anus.
Scooting alone does not prove the anal glands are the problem. Parasites, allergies, skin irritation, diarrhea, constipation, rectal problems, wounds, and tumors can cause similar signs. If symptoms are new, frequent, painful, or keep coming back, your dog needs an exam rather than repeated squeezing.
Groomer vs. vet: who should express anal glands?
A groomer may offer external anal gland expression as part of a bath or full groom. External expression means pressure is applied from the outside. Some dogs tolerate this, and some owners request it because their vet has already told them the dog occasionally needs help.
A veterinarian or veterinary technician is the better choice when there are symptoms, recurrent problems, pain, abnormal discharge, or any uncertainty. Veterinary teams can perform a rectal exam, check whether the sacs are impacted or infected, and decide whether treatment is needed. In some cases, treatment may involve flushing, medications, sedation, drainage of an abscess, or further testing.
Do not ask a groomer to express glands that look red, swollen, hot, painful, bloody, or draining. Those are medical signs. Expression in the wrong situation can hurt, delay treatment, or make an already inflamed area worse.
Should anal glands be expressed routinely?
No, not for every dog. The old habit of expressing glands at every grooming visit is too broad. Healthy anal sacs are meant to empty on their own, and unnecessary expression can irritate the area. Some dogs with documented recurrent impaction may need periodic expression, but the schedule should come from a veterinarian who understands the dog’s history.
Small dogs, overweight dogs, dogs with chronic soft stool or constipation, and dogs with skin allergies may be more prone to anal sac issues. Even then, the goal is not endless expression. The goal is to find and manage the reason the sacs are not emptying normally.
Can you express a dog’s anal glands at home?
Do not learn this from a generic article or video. At-home expression should only be considered if your veterinarian says your specific dog is a good candidate and shows you exactly what to do. It is easy to press too hard, miss signs of infection, or mistake another medical problem for full glands.
Never attempt home expression if your dog is painful, snapping, swollen, bleeding, draining pus, straining to poop, or has an open wound near the anus. Do not try to force expression if nothing comes out. Those are reasons to stop and call the vet.
What helps prevent anal gland problems?
For many dogs, prevention starts with healthy stool quality. Firm, normal stools can help place natural pressure on the anal sacs during defecation. Chronic diarrhea, constipation, obesity, and skin allergies can all contribute to recurrence, so they deserve veterinary attention.
If your dog has mild recurring fullness, ask your vet whether weight loss, a diet change, or added fiber is appropriate. Do not add supplements or large amounts of fiber without guidance, especially if your dog has digestive disease, is on medication, or has a history of pancreatitis or other health problems.
For a prevention-focused companion article, see our guide to helping a dog express anal glands naturally. The important word is naturally: support normal bowel movements and overall health, rather than squeezing healthy glands on a schedule.
What not to do
Do not make routine anal gland expression a default grooming request for a dog with no symptoms and no veterinary recommendation. Do not ignore swelling, redness, discharge, blood, pus, or a painful rear end. Do not apply dog anal creams, ointments, essential oils, peroxide, alcohol, or home remedies to a painful or draining area before a vet checks it.
Also avoid blaming the glands for every rear-end problem. A dog who scoots after grooming, licks constantly, cries when sitting, or strains to defecate may have irritation, allergies, parasites, constipation, injury, infection, or another condition that needs a different plan.
When to call the vet urgently
Book veterinary care promptly if your dog has swelling beside the anus, visible blood or pus, a hole or draining wound, severe pain, repeated scooting in a day, straining to poop, constipation, lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, or symptoms that return soon after expression.
Anal sac abscesses can rupture, and infected glands may need more than simple emptying. Your veterinarian can examine the area, relieve pain, treat infection when present, and check for less common but serious causes such as masses.
Bottom line
Groomers may express anal glands, but it should be selective, gentle, and based on the dog’s needs, not a routine add-on for every pet. If your dog has clear symptoms or recurring issues, start with your veterinarian. The safest plan is to treat anal gland expression as a medical comfort measure when needed, not a regular grooming chore for all dogs.