Natural Remedies for Anal Gland Problems in Dogs and Cats
- Jan 4, 2021
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 3
Being that I have personally had my fair share of anal gland explosions in the house...
I thought it was about time I tackled this topic and the myths that surround it.
My dog has had a smelly butt since the day I adopted her. Literally, the car smelled like fish on our drive home!
After many years of trial and error, I finally found the solution.
I hope that pet owners who struggle with this same issue will find the hope and answers they need in this post.
Want to find out how I got to the bottom of the issue in just a few short months?
Let's get started!
What are anal glands? And what is their purpose?
Anal glands are 2 small sacs (smaller than a grape) within the inside of the rectum, which secrete a VERY smelly fluid (usually during a bowel movement) to leave the animal's scent and mark territory.
These sacs will also express in times of fear or stress and may even squirt the smelly fluid to ward off danger. Yikes!
Dogs and cats both have anal glands.
Signs Your Pet May be Struggling with Their Glands
If these do not routinely express on their own, they can become filled, uncomfortable and even get infected and unfortunately rupture. This is incredibly painful for the animal.
Signs that your pet may be having trouble with their anal glands:
Licking & scooting
Trouble passing stool
Biting at their tail
Blood or pus around their rectum or in the stool
Not wanting to sit down
This can be a very scary situation for pet owners. And I've been at the caring end of ruptured anal glands many times in the clinic.
An owner calls panicking because their dog's 'butt is bleeding'... I immediately assume it is probably a ruptured anal gland and would schedule them right away.
Conventional treatment for ruptured glands involves sedation of the animal, flushing the open wound, and a round of antibiotics for the infection.
Obviously we want to take care of the problem BEFORE it gets to that point.
So what can we do?
Conventional Routes, Do They Work?
So, a few days ago I received a message about a dog who was having some problems with her anal glands.
The dog owner was asking if there are any available supplements for 'leaking' anal glands.
Plain and simple answer... No.
While there are some options on the market claiming to solve anal gland problems.. I have not personally seen any work. In my opinion, they are a marketing gimmick. Most contain things like pumpkin seed, psyllium husk, a single strain probiotic, etc.
Plus, a bunch of other additives.
Some veterinarians may recommend toxic prescription diets to solve the issue.
Anal gland problems can arise for so many reasons. The main claim to fame on the stinky issue is that the stool is too soft and they are not expressing routinely with bowel movements. Increasing fiber is the typical go-to remedy of choice for many professionals to recommend.
Another main recommendation that really jerks my chain is routine anal gland expression. Sometimes, veterinarians (and groomers) are doing this MONTHLY. Even when no symptoms or signs are present!
Let me be brief to say this is incredibly inappropriate.
This type of care is:
Stressful for the animal
Very uncomfortable
Dangerous. As it can create more inflammation, swelling, scar tissue and further injury to these delicate glands.
Some veterinarians will even go so far as to recommend complete removal of the anal glands to 'solve' the problem if it has become a chronic concern. This can cause several other issues including complete incontinence.
It's incredibly frustrating to know that with all the research and advancements in medical care today, the only 'answer' we often hear is to give more fiber, or to remove body parts/ functions.
Why don't we ask more questions?
What's actually causing this dysfunction in the body?
I call this a Web Of Illusions.
As you could imagine (if you've read my blog posts before), I see things a bit differently... Especially because I personally have dealt with this as a pet owner for many years (and MANY loads of laundry) before finding the solution for my own dog.
What's the Real Issue, and some Natural Solutions for Anal Gland Problems?
Anal glands may not express properly because of:
Food allergies
Chronic inflammation
Misalignment of the spine
Lack of fiber
Obesity and genetics can also play a role.
Read that list again.
Is there a magic supplement to fix ALL those issues?
❌ Absolutely not.
Here are my top suggestions for getting to the root of the problem:
Correct the diet
Heavy grain/ high carbohydrate diets cause inflammation and wreak havoc on the body. The first step that I recommend is removing all grains and switching to a more appropriate diet.
Decrease inflammation and oxidative stress in the body
Swollen, impacted anal glands are a sign of inflammation. They cannot express properly. This can translate as a view point for the rest of the body.
Where there is an isolated incident of inflammation in one area... There is likely more elsewhere.
Decreasing oxidative stress in the body and stopping the cycle of chronic inflammation is key!
Evaluate the history of toxin exposure
This includes environmental toxins such as fertilizers on the lawn, perfume, scented candles, unfiltered water... All the way to medications and vaccines. Plugged anal glands are the epitome of toxin buildup. Again, infection.. Inflammation... The body is not filtering and releasing properly. Things are building up.. And eventually, they will explode.. Literally! *plugs nose*
Add probiotics
Probiotics aid in digestion and healthy bowel movements. A healthy gut also decreases inflammation and even 'digests' excess toxins in the body. A staple for all pets! Be sure you are using a reputable, high quality product with at least 40 million bacteria per serving of 10 different strains. Some popular products contain only 1-3 strains plus additives, flavorings, and fillers. I prefer raw goat's milk, but some pet owners will use fermented foods, kefir, or dried powders. Look for quality seals such as GMP Certification to guarantee safety, potency, and purity.
Increase fiber (if needed)
Some pets could benefit from added fiber if the issue is a soft stool. I prefer to use plain organic pumpkin. You can get this in dehydrated form, or in a can.
Address detox pathways and toxin load
Detoxing a pet can only SAFELY be done once all the above mentioned is complete and the animal is in a healthy state. Detoxing a sick, malnourished or inflamed pet will only cause more problems.
*Read the full in-depth guide on detox here.
Use herbs & essential oils
I used a homemade essential oil blend for this route of care (topically on the area) along with witch hazel (natural astringent). However some herbal blends are made for internal use.
Get an animal chiropractor involved
The biggest success for my dog was implementing chiropractic care. When nerves get pinched, certain organs, joints and other areas of the body cannot communicate and work effectively.
This creates energy blockages and stagnation.
Chiropractic care has long history of treating such a wide variety of problems via gentle correction of the nervous system and body as a whole (My dog has also had incredible results for urinary incontinence with chiropractic care).
Why recommend such a lengthy process for such a seemingly small problem?
Because:
A) I know first had that this works.
B) Science.
Dysfunction in the body isn't created overnight by one thing, nor is it typically just a lack of fiber as we are so routinely told. Most diseases and ailments are created solely out of an abundance of inflammation and high oxidative stress levels within the body, that cause stystemic cellular dysfunction.
Everything I have listed in this post, is stuff that I've implemented in various steps with my dog's health regimen.
Over just a few months, the leakage and plugged anal glands stopped!
Yep, it's glorious!
*Keep in mind, some dogs detox through their anal glands, while others detox through their ears or skin... so knowing where your dog or cat needs the most support is important when working through these steps.
What Next?!
So... The next time you want to run to the pet store for a quick remedy... Re-evaluate the problem at hand.
Is their a deeper issue that needs resolving..?
Or is this an isolated incident..?
Chances are... You may need to implement a few measures for Whole Body Wellness.
A individualized approach to care is so crucial to success in creating a well-rounded plan for regaining balance and harmony within the body.
