How To Empty Your Dog's Anal Sacs

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HomeHome, Auto, & Hobbies ArticlesPets ArticlesDogs ArticlesDog Health & Grooming ArticlesHow to Empty Your Dog’s Anal SacsByMargaret H. Bonham Updated2021-11-02 14:03:51From the bookDog Grooming For DummiesShare

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If your dog suddenly takes to scooting along the carpet to wipe her butt, you may be in for a real treat — the dubious pleasure of expressing your best friend’s anal sacs. Lots of licking or chewing of his rear or tail is another sign that it’s time to get rid of fluid build-up.

Anal sacs, or anal glands, carry some smelly fluid and occasionally need to be expressed, or emptied. Many dogs express them by themselves every time they poop — the sacs are around a dog’s anus — but occasionally the sacs fill with fluid and your dog needs some help to release the fluid.

Ask your vet before attempting to express your dog’s anal sacs for the first time, because the process can cause impacted anal glands and, in really bizarre instances, can rupture the sacs. And, keep in mind that expressing the anal sacs too often can lead to impacted anal glands, and failing to care for them may lead to infection.

If you're not 110 percent sure you want to take on the task of expressing your dog's anal glands, don't hesitate to turn the nasty job over to trained staff at your veterinary office. The cost is minimal, especially compared to the damage you could cause (and the smell you'll be exposed to).

If you insist on expressing the anal sacs yourself, here's how to do it:

If your dog shows discomfort back by his butt and his anal sacs aren’t producing any fluid, he may have an impacted anal sac, which requires veterinary intervention — soon!

About This Article

This article is from the book: 

Dog Grooming For Dummies

About the book author:

Margaret H. Bonham is an award-winning dog writer, a veteran dog trainer, and an experienced dog groomer. The author of The Complete Guide to Mutts and Having Fun with Agility, she lives with 17 dogs and one cat.

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