All about glands.
Ever smelled a gross dead fish smell on your dog, - probably when they were nervous? That’s liquid from your dog’s anal glands. To us humans it seems disgusting, but these glands are actually pretty cool. They are the dog version of a profile page, passing on information like sex, age, and health for other dogs to sniff out.
Occasionally dogs are unable to express their anal glands on their own, causing them to get infected or rupture. This often happens due to anatomical issues or overly soft stools. If you notice excessive licking and scooting, it may be a sign that your dog is dealing with gland issues. You should always check with your vet if you suspect gland trouble, because it’s important to deal with it quickly. If your dog’s gland issues are caused by soft stool, you may also want to address the problem by changing their diet.
On the other end of the spectrum, it is important not to express your dog’s glands when they are able to do it on their own. If you regularly express your dog’s glands it can actually result in them to become dependent on you to do it, causing the very problem you were trying to avoid.
If your dog does need gland expressions, we offer them with grooms or as a stand alone service. Before having us express glands, it is important to talk to your vet and make sure it’s truly helpful for your pup.
Ever smelled a gross dead fish smell on your dog, - probably when they were nervous? That’s liquid from your dog’s anal glands. To us humans it seems disgusting, but these glands are actually pretty cool. They are the dog version of a profile page, passing on information like sex, age, and health for other dogs to sniff out.
Occasionally dogs are unable to express their anal glands on their own, causing them to get infected or rupture. This often happens due to anatomical issues or overly soft stools. If you notice excessive licking and scooting, it may be a sign that your dog is dealing with gland issues. You should always check with your vet if you suspect gland trouble, because it’s important to deal with it quickly. If your dog’s gland issues are caused by soft stool, you may also want to address the problem by changing their diet.
On the other end of the spectrum, it is important not to express your dog’s glands when they are able to do it on their own. If you regularly express your dog’s glands it can actually result in them becoming dependent on you to do it, causing the very problem you were trying to avoid.
If your dog does need gland expressions, we offer them with grooms or as a stand alone service. Before having us express glands, it is important to talk to your vet and make sure it’s truly helpful for your pup.
