Why is my dog biting her butt and struggling to poop? Anal glands?

I would try feeding him some canned pumpkin with his next meal. This will sometimes help dogs naturally express their anal glands. By tomorrow, if his condition is not improved I would have a veterinarian clean them out. They can become impacted and infected.

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I suspect Blu has either skin allergy (for example flea-bite allergy) or impacted anal glands. Please, get him seen by your local vets as he likely needs anti-allergic medication and a good quality flea and tick prevention. Also his anal glands should be emptied. Do not worry - this treatment should not be very expensive. Good luck

Your dog may have a problem with constipation, her anal glands may be inflamed or infected which can be very painful, there are a number of possibilities. I recommend getting her checked by your vet. If it is anal glands your vet can show you how to express the material from them so it doesn't build up and get painful, or if you take her to a groomer, they can do it when she gets a bath.

If you are noticing him bite near his anus, then it is possible that this is due to an impacted or infected anal sac. It could also be due to other anal/rectal issues causing irritation like pinworms, or allergies. If your dog is biting you or other people/animals, then this may indicate that he/she is painful, but definitely would not be a specific problem with anal glands. I hope that helps to answer your question. If it didn't, then please post again and try asking the question a different way, or with some more detail in order for us to best help you.

Your pet may have an inflamed or infected [anal gland](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/conditions-of-the-anal-glands). [Impacted or abscessed anal glands](https://www.petcoach.co/article/anal-glands-sacs-impactions-infections-abscesses-in-dogs) are very painful and makes it difficult to defecate or even move. Without treatment, an impacted gland may abscess and rupture, causing a open wound on your pet's rear that will require wound care, antibiotics and pain relief. I recommend getting your pet seen by your vet. He or she will express (empty) the anal glands, clean her up and possibly start her on antibiotics and pain medication if indicated. You can ask to be shown how to express the anal glands yourself at home so you can avoid impaction or infection in the future. Increased dietary fiber or supplements, such as [Glandex](), may help prevent anal gland issues as well.

It may be that Nara has a problem with her anal sacs causing her to bite the area and scoot on her bottom. They may be impacted and need to be expressed. I'd have her seen by a vet for this behavior so she can get treated.

He may be scooting on his rear due to his anal sacs being full or from intestinal parasites causing itching in the area. I recommend an exam to check and express his anal sacs. They can get full and become itchy and infected if the fluid isn’t emptied. Usually dogs express some of this fluid when they defecate but the opening can become plugged and the fluid builds up and can become infected. Dogs with tapeworms can have tapeworm segments come out the anus and be around the fur by the anal opening. This can cause itching and make the anal opening inflammed. You can give canned pumpkin with wet food and green beans to increase the water and fiber in the diet. That can help with the constipation. I do recommend an exam and have them empty the anal sacs. If needed they can give an enema to get the poop out. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Max.