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Dog anal gland issues: How to relieve discomfort until vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | neutered | 22 lbs

My dog needs his anal glands expressed, but I can’t get him into the vet until next week. Is there anything I can do to relieve his discomfort until then?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on January 5th, 2021

You can get some Glandex for Harry, and give that to him. It's a supplement that can help with anal sac issues. You can also add a teaspoon of pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) to his food to give him more fiber. This may help with his discomfort. I hope this helps!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on November 20th, 2017
Adding pumpkin to increase the fiber in his diet may help. I am not sure if you are having to take him to the vet to have his glands expressed or if he is expressing them on his own. Some dogs need their glands expressed frequently. It would be a good idea to have your vet completely empty his glands and see if that helps.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jenny, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 23rd, 2017
You can try canned green beans instead of the pumpkin but both will only help keep the material thin so it is easier to express. This minimizes the chances of an infection or abscess. If it is a continual problem you can talk to your vet about having then removed
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

Food & Nutrition

My dog's anal glands keep filling up. What food or diet helps?

Sometimes adding some canned pumpkin to your dogs diet may help with anal gland issues. The added fiber can help to bulk up the stool and allow for the anal glands to be released when the dog defecates. If Jeter seems uncomfortable (licking around his rectum or scooting) then it would be a good idea to have a veterinarian check his anal glands and express them. The veterinarian can also ensure that Jeter does not have an impacted or infected anal gland.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

What food or fiber helps my dog's frequent anal gland issues?

I am sorry to hear about your problems with Bell! I have had some owners find the product Glandex to be helpful (though not all) so that is worth a try. Others have found probiotics such as Fortiflora or Prostora, or Omega fatty acid supplements to be helpful.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Dog anal gland issues: How quickly does Glandex work, and what else helps?

You can try to change to a different food to see if a different protein source can help. You may need to talk about other allergy medicines such as Apoquel or Cytopoint which can help with allergies too. If there is thick material in the glands increasing fiber with green beans or canned pumpkin can help make it easier to express. Getting the glands removed is less traumatic than getting them expressed monthly as it requires one surgery and a stay as opposed to monthly visits. That glandex may take 4-6 weeks to see improvement.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog's anal glands need frequent draining. How can I help her?

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. There is a supplement called Glandex and one called No Scoot that many of my clients love for anal gland problems. In some cases it can decrease how often they need to be expressed. I would discuss with her veterinarian if either of these may be compatible with her diet.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My dog has swollen anal glands. What can I do to help the swelling?

Ouch! Poor Oscar! It is good you have an appointment with your vet. This may require oral medications for pain and infection and they will want to do a thorough exam to see if the anal glands are the underlying problem. Until then I would keep applying the triple antibiotic ointment at least twice a day. You could also apply some hydrocortisone to the area to help with the swelling and irritation. If the anal glands are full, adding fiber to the diet can help bulk up the stool and express them naturally. I recommend canned pumpkin puree (not the pie filling) at each meal. I hope this helps and that Oscar gets feeling better soon. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My puppy has anal sac disease. How can I help her discomfort?

These will need to be expressed by vet or vet to relieve the discomfort, bathing the area with salted water in the meantime can help. Additional fiber in the diet can b used to prevent recurrence and be sure to keep up to date with deworming medications

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Can I swap pumpkin for other veggies to help my dog's anal glands?

Pumpkin is good because it adds fiber to the diet leading to regular defecation, and when a dog has regular stools, that helps express the anal sacs. In fact, pumpkin is recommended to give to dogs when they are constipated. For her digestive health and anal sacs, pumpkin would be the best to give her, but as a treat, you can switch out to another tablespoon of veggies every now and then :-)

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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