Short answer: Wear gloves. Lift the tail with one hand and place a thumb and forefinger on either side of the anus (4 and 8 o’clock position). Gently squeeze inward and upward over a paper towel. Normal fluid is brown, oily, and fishy. Don’t do this routinely – over-expression causes inflammation.
What you should actually do
- Most dogs don’t need routine expression – their glands empty naturally during normal defecation.
- Express only when there are signs: scooting, licking, foul smell, swelling.
- External expression (what most groomers do): squeeze from outside through skin. Less effective but lower risk.
- Internal expression (vet technique): finger inserted into rectum to milk each sac. More complete; can cause inflammation if too rough.
- If fluid is bloody, very thick, paste-like, or has pus – stop and see your vet (infection or abscess).
Many groomers automatically express anal glands at every visit – this is unnecessary for most dogs and can perpetuate the ‘don’t need to express naturally’ cycle. Healthy glands empty with firm stool.
If your dog needs glands expressed monthly or more, address the root cause: increase dietary fiber (1 tsp canned pumpkin per 10 lb daily), check for food allergies, control weight. Recurrent impactions may warrant surgical sacculectomy.
Dig deeper
⚕️ Medical Disclaimer
The information on this page is intended for educational purposes only and does not replace a hands-on veterinary examination. Drug doses depend on your dog’s complete clinical picture, concurrent medications, and the exact product formulation. Always confirm dosing with your veterinarian before administering any medication, and contact a 24-hour veterinary emergency service or animal poison control immediately if you suspect a medication overdose or adverse reaction. Editorial standards: every drug dose published on PuppaDogs is cross-checked against multiple authoritative veterinary references and reviewed by PuppaDogs Veterinary Editorial Team before publication.
