Nutrition
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11 min
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We rave a whole lot at Pooch & Mutt about the importance of healthy dog poop, but today, we’re talking butts.
Does your dog scoot their bum along the floor sometimes? Do they seem irritated by a sore or itchy butt? If so, they could have issues with their anal glands.
In this article, we’ll go into the various anal gland issues for dogs and their link to nutrition and diet. With our help, you can find the best food for your dog’s anal glands and get to the ‘bottom’ of the problem.
Firstly, what does it mean for a dog to have anal gland issues? Let’s start with the purpose of anal glands in the first place…
The anal glands sit where you’d expect them to, just inside the anus. These anal glands have important functions: they secrete a stinky liquid that allows dogs to mark their territory, and also a lubricating mucus to help your dog’s poop pass through easily.
Issues occur when these anal glands get overly full or become blocked, which can cause discomfort in your pooch and lead to infections.
Here are some examples of anal gland problems in dogs:
Impaction - When mucus thickens and hardens inside the anal glands, causing swelling and blockages.
Infection - This can happen when the glands aren’t expressed properly, or the pooch gets a yeast infection (potentially from an unhealthy diet or food allergies).
Recurring expression problems - Some dogs have anal glands that regularly dysfunction and need continual treatment and attention.
Abscesses or fistulas - If anal gland issues go untreated, it may lead to more acute symptoms such as abscesses.
Tumours - This is rare, but some anal glands might be affected by a tumour(s) developing in the anus. If they have issues with their anal glands, you might find your dog drags their butt along the floor. This is because they likely feel discomfort or pain and are trying to soothe themselves. You may also notice:
Anal gland issues in dogs can be caused by a number of things, so you should always see a vet to diagnose them properly. Though it’s not always the cause, diet can have a significant impact on whether problems develop, worsen or reoccur.
Food allergies or intolerances can increase the risk of your pooch getting an infection in the anal glands, as can too many fatty, sugary foods.
A diet that is low in fibre, or otherwise lacking in nutrients can also contribute to blocked anal glands in dogs. This is because fibre and a healthy balance of nutrients create poops of a firm consistency, which will naturally express the anal glands as they pass. Soft or loose stools caused by a lack of nutrition will move right through, meaning the glands aren’t used and become overly full.
If your pooch tends to get anal gland issues, putting them on a nutrient rich diet that supports their condition should be a top priority. These are the essential factors when choosing a diet for dog anal glands:
High fibre. Fibre is your dog’s best friend when supporting healthy digestion, bowel function and poops. High fibre foods such as sweet potato, apple and broccoli create firm poops which will naturally express the anal glands.
Quality proteins. Lean, high-quality proteins like turkey, chicken and fish will help your pooch stay full while maintaining a healthy weight. Avoiding weight gain or obesity in your dog helps reduce strain on the anal glands.
Omega-3 fatty acids, such as in fatty fish or salmon oil is a super healthy ingredient in the diet. It plays an important role in reducing inflammation in the body, as well as promoting skin, organ and gland health.
‘Superfood’ such as pumpkin is great for dogs, as it’s packed with fibre, has a high water content and is a natural dewormer (it contains cucurbitacin which helps kill off parasites in your dog’s digestive tract).
Hydrating foods will increase moisture content in your dog’s diet, contributing to healthy digestion and poops.
Lots of fresh water in bowls around the house, and available on walks, should help your dog get plenty of hydration to aid healthy digestion and defecation.
So what can you give to your pooch that will avoid, rather than trigger, their anal gland issues?
Dogs who suffer from anal gland issues because of food allergies or intolerances can thrive on a grain-free diet, grain being a common trigger for digestive issues and infections. Our Veterinary Food for Food Allergies is suitable for dogs with anal gland issues because of its gut-soothing ingredients that avoid common allergens.
Our dog food for sensitive stomachs may also work wonders, as it’s full of healthy, digestive ingredients that contribute to improved gut function and regular, firm stools. Our Health & Digestion Wet Food, for example, contains quality proteins turkey and herring as well as a burst of prebiotics.
If you’re gathering new foods to support your dog’s healthy anal glands, here are some ingredients you should be avoiding:
Low quality filler ingredients, such as those found in cheap dog food. This is only going to stress your poor dog’s body and mess with their digestion. Low quality ingredients as well as preservatives, sugars and nasties will exacerbate anal gland issues.
High fat, sugary foods as they can slow down digestion and contribute to unhealthy poop consistency, resulting in full or blocked glands. Unhealthy fats and high levels of sugar will only worsen anal gland issues, so lean, high quality and nutritious foods should be a priority. Avoid human leftovers and fatty or sugary treats.
Common allergens such as red meat, grain, dairy etc. could trigger your dog’s body and contribute to inflammation or infection in your dog’s glands. Be sure what you feed your dog is nutritious, safe, and easy for their body to process.
When you know that your pooch has anal gland issues and you’ve picked out new food, it’s important to transition them slowly into their new diet to avoid a stomach upset.
Your dog’s butt-scooting could be due to impacted or full anal glands. If your pooch gets frequent anal gland issues, some adjustments to their diet might be needed.
A diet for healthy anal glands in dogs is usually high in fibre, full of high-quality proteins and omega-3 fatty acids. They should also get plenty of hydration from water and/or moisture-rich foods.
Food allergies can exacerbate anal gland problems - it could be worth putting your dog on a grain-free diet in order to curb common food allergens. Chat to your vet for more about this.
Always take your dog to a vet for a proper diagnosis of their anal gland problems. It could be due to diet, but there may also be an underlying health condition or illness.
To pack your dog’s diet full of high-fibre foods, try Pooch & Mutt’s Health & Digestion range - made with nutritious, whole ingredients to boost a dog’s digestion and ensure healthy, firm poops.
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