Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsA small amount of strong-smelling, usually brownish or oily fluid may leak when a dog defecates or is frightened, excited, or stressed; an isolated leak in an otherwise comfortable dog is not necessarily an illness. Repeated leakage, leakage at rest, or discharge with pain, swelling, blood, pus, scooting, or straining warrants veterinary advice. Do not squeeze the area to check it.
Check the leakage before you do anything else
Look at the skin around the anus without squeezing the area. If your dog is painful, do not force an examination; a frightened or sore dog may bite.
Note the appearance of the discharge and the condition of the skin:
| What you see | What it may mean | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| A one-time small amount of brownish, oily, strong-smelling fluid | Normal anal-sac release, particularly during defecation or a stressful event | Clean the outside and monitor your dog |
| Repeated leakage, persistent odor, scooting, or licking | Possible impaction or anal-sac disease | Arrange a veterinary appointment |
| Redness, swelling, a lump, pain, or reluctance to sit | Possible inflammation, infection, or abscess | Contact a veterinarian promptly |
| Blood, pus, or a hole beside the anus | Possible infected or ruptured abscess | Seek prompt veterinary care; do not squeeze it |
What to do at home right now
- Gently clean the outside. Use lukewarm water and a soft cloth or damp gauze to remove discharge from the skin and fur. Pat the area dry. If there is an open sore, do not scrub it.
- Prevent licking and chewing. Use an Elizabethan collar or another veterinarian-approved barrier if your dog keeps working at the area. Licking can irritate skin and contaminate an open wound.
- Record useful details. Note when the leakage started, how often it occurs, whether it followed defecation or a stressful event, and whether your dog is scooting, straining, or acting painful. A photograph may help your veterinarian if the appearance changes before the appointment.
- Call your veterinarian if leakage is abnormal or recurring. A ruptured abscess may still be infected and need treatment even if the swelling has gone down.
Do not use household products on the area
Do not apply hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, soap, shampoo, tea tree oil, or other products unless your veterinarian specifically tells you to. These can irritate delicate tissue.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall
- 3-IN-1 GROOMING FOR COMPLETE CLEANUP – Textured, unscented-scented wipes deliver a full-body clean in one step. Remove dirt, hydrate, and deodorize paws, body, and bum. Ideal for daily touch-ups, post-walk cleanups, and muddy adventures
- PREMIUM INGREDIENTS FOR GENTLE CARE: Formulated with soothing aloe, hydrating shea butter, calming chamomile, refreshing cucumber, and deodorizing baking soda. Gentle enough for daily use on dogs and cats of all ages and breeds
- DURABLE WIPES FOR EVERYDAY MESSES: Thick, pre-moistened wipes ready for any cleanup. Made with USDA Certified 98% Biobased material. Designed to help resist tearing during grooming and cleaning
- MINDFULLY FORMULATED: Hypoallergenic, alcohol-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, and dermatologist-tested. Safe for both dogs and cats
- EARTH RATED: Our mission is to make everyday moments for people and their pets simpler and better. We do this by designing innovative products that are thoughtfully unexpected. We are also proudly B Corp Certified
Should you express your dog’s anal glands?
Do not try to express the sacs if the area is swollen, hot, painful, bloody, or draining pus, or if your dog resists handling. Forceful or incorrect expression can injure tissue, and painful dogs may bite. Veterinary treatment may involve a rectal examination, flushing, medication, or sedation.
If a veterinarian has examined your dog and specifically taught you to perform routine expression, follow that individualized advice. Stop if the sacs do not express easily. A groomer may provide routine external expression, but a painful, recurrent, infected, or nonexpressible sac needs veterinary assessment rather than repeated grooming.
Routine expression is not necessary for every dog. It is generally considered for dogs with demonstrated recurrent impaction or discomfort, with the schedule determined with a veterinarian. More frequent expression is not automatically better; recurring leakage should prompt investigation of the underlying problem.
Rank #2
- Large 8 x 9 Inch Wipes – Generously sized dog wipes provide more coverage per sheet, with a textured feel for thick coats, large breeds, and everyday cleanup.
- Clean Between Baths – Hypoallergenic pet wipes help remove dirt, dander, and odors to keep pets fresh without a full bath.
- Conditioning Ingredients – Made with Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, and Hawaiian Awapuhi to gently clean while helping condition the skin and coat.
- Gentle Daily Formula – Alcohol-free, paraben-free, and sulfate-free for daily use on paws, body, butt, face, and ears.
- For Home, Walks & Travel – Keep a pack by the door, in the car, or in your travel bag for quick cleanups wherever messes happen.
When to contact a veterinarian
Call your veterinarian promptly if your dog has any of the following:
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →- Repeated or continuous leakage
- Blood or pus in the discharge
- Redness, swelling, or a lump beside the anus
- Persistent licking, biting, or scooting
- Pain when sitting or passing stool
- Straining, constipation, or reluctance to defecate
- A draining wound, even if the swelling has gone down
These findings can occur with an impacted, inflamed, infected, abscessed, or ruptured anal sac. A sac that has ruptured may still contain infection and need treatment.
When it is an emergency
Use an emergency veterinary clinic if your dog has severe or rapidly worsening pain, marked weakness, feverish illness, repeated vomiting, cannot defecate, or seems seriously unwell in addition to the anal-area problem. A ruptured abscess may require drainage, flushing, antibiotics, and pain control, but the need for emergency care depends on how unwell your dog is.
Rank #3
- 3-IN-1 GROOMING FOR COMPLETE CLEANUP: Textured, white tea and basil-scented wipes deliver a full-body clean in one step. Cleans, hydrates, and deodorizes paws, body, and bum. Ideal for daily touch-ups, post-walk cleanups, and muddy adventures
- PREMIUM INGREDIENTS FOR GENTLE CARE: Formulated with soothing aloe, hydrating shea butter, calming chamomile, refreshing cucumber, and deodorizing baking soda. Gentle enough for daily use on dogs and cats of all ages and breeds
- DURABLE WIPES FOR EVERYDAY MESSES: Thick, pre-moistened wipes ready for any cleanup. Made with USDA Certified 98% Biobased material. Designed to help resist tearing during grooming and cleaning
- MINDFULLY FORMULATED: Hypoallergenic, alcohol-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, and dermatologist-tested. Safe for both dogs and cats
- EARTH RATED: Our mission is to make everyday moments for people and their pets simpler and better. We do this by designing innovative products that are thoughtfully unexpected. We are also proudly B Corp Certified
What happens at the veterinary appointment?
The veterinarian will inspect the skin and generally perform a digital rectal examination to assess the anal sacs. They may express the sacs and examine the material microscopically. Culture, ultrasound, needle sampling, or biopsy may be considered if infection is suspected, the problem keeps returning, or a mass is present.
Treatment depends on the findings and may include:
- Manual expression of an impacted sac
- Flushing with saline or an appropriate antiseptic solution
- Medication placed directly in the sac
- Oral antibiotics when an infection requires them
- Veterinary pain relief
- Drainage of an abscess
Sedation or anesthesia may be needed when a procedure is painful or an abscess requires surgical drainage. Do not give ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or leftover medication unless a veterinarian specifically directs you to. Human pain relievers can cause serious toxic effects in dogs.
Reducing the chance of repeat leakage
Recurrent anal-sac disease may be associated with obesity, chronic diarrhea or constipation, soft stools, allergies, anatomical problems, or inadequate stool bulk. Once the immediate problem is treated, ask your veterinarian whether your dog needs:
Rank #4
- 3-IN-1 GROOMING FOR COMPLETE CLEANUP: Textured, unscented-scented wipes deliver a full-body clean in one step. Remove dirt, hydrate, and deodorize paws, body, and bum. Ideal for daily touch-ups, post-walk cleanups, and muddy adventures.
- PREMIUM INGREDIENTS FOR GENTLE CARE: Formulated with soothing aloe, hydrating shea butter, calming chamomile, refreshing cucumber, and deodorizing baking soda. Gentle enough for daily use on dogs and cats of all ages and breeds.
- DURABLE WIPES FOR EVERYDAY MESSES: Thick, pre-moistened wipes ready for any cleanup. Made with USDA Certified 98% Biobased material. Designed to help resist tearing during grooming and cleaning.
- MINDFULLY FORMULATED: Hypoallergenic, alcohol-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, and dermatologist-tested. Safe for both dogs and cats.
- EARTH RATED: Our mission is to make everyday moments for people and their pets simpler and better. We do this by designing innovative products that are thoughtfully unexpected. We are also proudly B Corp Certified.
- A weight-management plan
- Evaluation or treatment for allergies
- Investigation of ongoing diarrhea or constipation
- A change in diet or a measured fiber supplement
- A veterinarian-approved schedule for anal-sac expression, if recurrent problems warrant it
Do not add fiber or supplements without discussing the product and amount with your veterinarian. The right approach depends on your dog’s diet, stool quality, size, medical history, and why the sacs are not emptying normally.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common mistakes to avoid
| Claim or action | Why it is misleading or unsafe |
|---|---|
| “Any fishy leak means an infection.” | Normal anal-sac fluid can smell strong and may appear during defecation or after fear or excitement. Persistent leakage plus pain, swelling, blood, pus, or straining is more concerning. |
| “A ruptured abscess is fixed once it drains.” | Rupture may release pressure, but infection can remain and the open wound may need veterinary care. |
| “Every dog should have its glands expressed regularly.” | Many dogs never need routine expression. Recurrent leakage calls for assessment rather than indefinite expression alone. |
| “Human pain medicine is fine in a small dose.” | Human pain relievers can be toxic to dogs. Use only medication prescribed or specifically approved by your veterinarian. |
FAQ
Is it normal for a dog’s anal glands to leak?
An isolated small leak of strong-smelling brownish or oily fluid can be normal, especially during defecation or when a dog is frightened, excited, or stressed. Repeated leakage, leakage during rest, or leakage with pain, swelling, blood, pus, scooting, or straining should be checked by a veterinarian.
What should I clean leaking anal-gland fluid with?
Gently wipe the outside with lukewarm water and a soft cloth or damp gauze, then pat dry. Do not scrub an open sore or use hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, soap, shampoo, tea tree oil, or other products unless your veterinarian recommends them.
Best Value
- EVERYDAY FRESHENING: Dog grooming wipes help lift dirt and reduce odor between baths with a gentle wipe-down routine for paws, coat, and skin after walks, playtime, travel, or quick cleanups when water and shampoo are not convenient.
- COCONUT WATER CARE: Deodorizing dog wipes are infused with coconut water to help refresh and condition while cleaning, making them a practical option for routine grooming that supports a soft coat feel and a light, clean finish.
- PUPPY SAFE FORMULA: Gentle pet wipes are suitable for puppies 8 weeks and up, helping new pet parents manage small messes, paw prints, and day-to-day odors as part of early care routines at home, in crates, or on the go.
- NO HARSH ADDITIVES: Paraben and sulfate free formula supports frequent use for dogs with sensitive skin needs, helping you maintain hygiene without heavy residues, strong chemicals, or complicated grooming steps between full baths.
- SUBTLE COCONUT SCENT: Leaves a mild coconut scent designed to freshen without overpowering, helping reduce common dog odors in everyday settings like cars, apartments, pet beds, and living spaces after a quick wipe down.
Can I squeeze my dog’s anal glands at home?
Do not squeeze them if the area is swollen, hot, painful, bloody, or draining pus, or if your dog resists handling. If a veterinarian has examined your dog and taught you routine expression, follow that specific instruction and stop if the sacs do not express easily.
How urgently should I see a vet for leaking anal glands?
Contact your veterinarian promptly for recurring leakage, blood, pus, swelling, a draining hole, pain, scooting, licking, or difficulty defecating. Use an emergency clinic for severe or rapidly worsening pain, marked weakness, feverish illness, repeated vomiting, inability to defecate, or signs your dog is seriously unwell.
The Bottom Line
A single small leak may be a normal release of anal-sac fluid. Clean the area gently, prevent licking, and monitor your dog. Recurring leakage or blood, pus, swelling, pain, straining, or a draining wound needs veterinary attention. Do not squeeze a painful or swollen sac, and never give human pain medication without veterinary direction.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
