If your dog is scooting, licking their rear end, or needs frequent anal gland expressions, diet is likely the root cause. Most commercial dog foods—especially highly processed kibble—don't provide the fiber quality and stool consistency needed for natural anal gland function.
This guide explains how anal glands work, why processed food contributes to problems, and how whole-food approaches help prevent impaction, infections, and chronic issues.
Anal glands (technically anal sacs) are two small glands located at the 4 and 8 o'clock positions around your dog's anus. They produce a pungent, oily secretion that serves several purposes:
In a healthy dog eating an appropriate diet:
The problem: When stools are too soft, small, or inconsistent, they don't create enough pressure to express glands naturally. Secretions accumulate, causing impaction, discomfort, and potential infection.
What it is: Glands become overfilled because secretions don't empty naturally.
Signs: Scooting (dragging rear on ground), excessive licking of anal area, discomfort sitting, fishy odor, tail chasing.
Dietary cause: Soft stools from highly processed food, inadequate fiber, or food allergies.
What it is: Bacteria overgrow in impacted glands, causing infection and inflammation.
Signs: Painful defecation, swelling around anus, bloody or pussy discharge, fever, reluctance to sit.
Dietary connection: Chronic impaction from poor diet increases infection risk. Food allergies cause inflammation that predisposes to infection.
What it is: Severe infection causes abscess; if untreated, gland ruptures through skin.
Signs: Visible swelling/lump near anus, open wound draining pus and blood, extreme pain, lethargy.
Requires immediate veterinary care. Diet helps prevent recurrence after treatment.
What it is: Cancer of anal gland tissue (rare but serious).
Signs: Persistent swelling, difficulty defecating, bloody discharge, weight loss.
Not diet-related. Requires veterinary diagnosis and treatment.
Diet affects anal gland health through three main mechanisms:
How it works: Firm, adequately sized stools create pressure against anal glands during defecation, causing natural expression.
What goes wrong: Highly processed kibble, especially grain-heavy formulas, often produces:
The fiber problem in commercial food: Many kibbles use synthetic fiber like beet pulp and cellulose. These create bulk but don't produce the firm, consistent stools needed for reliable gland expression. Beet pulp in particular can cause alternating loose and hard stools.
Whole-food solution: Natural fiber from pumpkin, sweet potato, and vegetables provides both soluble and insoluble fiber in balanced ratios, producing consistently firm stools.
How it works: Food allergies cause inflammation throughout the digestive tract, including tissues around anal glands.
Common allergens:
What happens: Chronic inflammation causes:
Signs your dog's anal gland issues are allergy-related:
The processing problem: High-heat extrusion (how most kibble is made) destroys nutrients essential for tissue health:
Dogs eating heavily processed foods often have chronic low-grade inflammation affecting all body systems, including anal glands.
Read more: Whole Food vs Synthetic Vitamins: Bioavailability Explained
The most effective diet for preventing anal gland problems includes:
Why it matters: Adequate protein supports muscle tone, including muscles around anal glands that assist with expression.
Best sources:
Avoid: By-product meal, meat and bone meal, unspecified "meat meal"—these have lower digestibility and can cause inconsistent stools.
Learn more: Protein for Dogs: Requirements, Quality & Best Sources
Target fiber content: 3-5% total dietary fiber for most dogs; dogs with chronic anal gland issues may benefit from 5-7%.
Best whole-food fiber sources:
| Food | Fiber Content | Benefits for Anal Glands |
|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin (plain, canned or cooked) | 2.7g per 100g | Soluble + insoluble fiber; absorbs water for firm stools |
| Sweet potato (cooked) | 3g per 100g | Complex carbs + fiber; consistent stool formation |
| Green beans (steamed) | 3.4g per 100g | Low-calorie fiber; adds bulk without excess calories |
| Carrots (raw or cooked) | 2.8g per 100g | Insoluble fiber; scrubs intestines and adds firmness |
| Broccoli (steamed, small amounts) | 2.6g per 100g | Fiber + anti-inflammatory compounds |
Why whole foods work better than synthetic fiber:
Why they help: Omega-3s (EPA/DHA from fish) reduce inflammation throughout the body, including anal gland tissue.
Sources:
Dosage: 20-55 mg combined EPA/DHA per pound of body weight daily.
Best formats for anal gland health:
Less ideal: High-heat extruded kibble, especially grain-heavy formulas with synthetic fiber.
Step 1: Add Whole-Food Fiber
Start immediately while transitioning to better food:
Adjust based on stool consistency. Ideal stools are:
Step 2: Transition to Better Base Diet
Gradually switch over 7-10 days to:
Step 3: Consider Elimination Diet if Allergies Suspected
If anal gland issues persist despite good fiber and stools, try:
Timeline for improvement:
Some supplements marketed for anal gland health include:
| Supplement Type | Claims | Reality |
|---|---|---|
| Synthetic fiber chews | "Firm up stools to help glands express" | Often contain beet pulp, cellulose—same ingredients that cause problems in kibble. Whole foods work better. |
| Pumpkin powder/capsules | "Convenient alternative to canned pumpkin" | More expensive than canned pumpkin; check for added ingredients. Plain canned pumpkin is effective and economical. |
| Probiotic + fiber blends | "Support digestive health and firm stools" | Probiotics can help gut health but don't directly firm stools. Better to address base diet quality. |
| "Gland support" formulas | "Herbal blend supports natural expression" | Limited evidence for specific botanicals. Focus on proven dietary factors (fiber, protein, allergen elimination) first. |
Most cost-effective approach: Plain canned pumpkin ($1-2/can) + transition to higher-quality whole-food-based diet. This addresses root causes rather than masking symptoms.
Some issues require veterinary intervention beyond dietary changes:
What to do: Work with your vet on management plan. Some dogs need periodic manual expression despite optimal diet.
After treatment: Dietary changes help prevent recurrence.
Requires veterinary diagnosis: Imaging, biopsy, and appropriate treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation).
Overweight dogs have higher rates of anal gland problems because:
Solution: Weight loss through calorie control + increased exercise improves anal gland function dramatically in many dogs.
Dogs under 20 lbs have 3-4x higher rates of anal gland problems. Why?
Reality: Healthy dogs on appropriate diets should never need manual expressions. If your dog needs them regularly, something is wrong—usually diet-related.
Reality: It's not about grain vs grain-free—it's about whole-food ingredients, adequate fiber, and absence of allergens. Some grain-free foods are just as processed and low-fiber as grain-inclusive kibbles.
Reality: Excess fat/oil causes loose stools, making anal gland expression harder. Moderate fat (12-18%) with adequate fiber works better than high-fat diets.
Reality: Raw diets often help because they're whole-food-based and include bone (natural fiber source). But poorly balanced raw diets can cause problems too. It's about nutrient balance, not raw vs cooked.
Reality: While repeated manual expression can weaken muscles, dietary changes can still help most dogs regain natural function. It may take 2-3 months, but improvement is possible.
Anal gland problems are one of the most common yet preventable issues in dogs. Most cases stem from inappropriate diets that produce soft, inconsistent stools or cause food allergy-related inflammation.
The most effective approach:
70-80% of dogs with chronic anal gland impaction improve significantly or resolve completely with dietary changes. The investment in better food and whole-food fiber pays for itself in reduced vet visits, manual expressions, and improved quality of life for your dog.
Start with nutrition. Monitor results. Work with your vet for cases that don't improve.
Foods that promote firm, bulky stools help anal glands express naturally during defecation. Best options include high-fiber whole foods like pumpkin (2.7g fiber per 100g cooked), sweet potato (3g fiber per 100g), green beans, and carrots.
Adequate protein (25-30%+) supports muscle tone around glands. Omega-3s from fish reduce inflammation.
Avoid highly processed kibble with synthetic fiber (beet pulp, cellulose) that can cause inconsistent stool quality. Whole-food fiber sources work better because they provide soluble and insoluble fiber in natural ratios.
Diet can prevent and manage many anal gland issues but won't fix all problems.
Dietary changes help with: Recurring impaction from soft stools (75-80% improvement rate), food allergy-related inflammation, and inadequate fiber intake.
Diet won't fix: Anatomical abnormalities (narrow ducts, small glands), infections requiring antibiotics, tumors, or severe impaction needing manual expression.
Best results come from switching from highly processed kibble to whole-food-based diets with adequate natural fiber. Improvement typically takes 2-4 weeks as stool consistency stabilizes.
Start with 1-2 tablespoons of whole-food fiber per day for a 50 lb dog, divided between meals. Best sources: plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling), cooked sweet potato, steamed green beans.
Increase gradually over 5-7 days to avoid digestive upset.
Target: Stools should be firm but not hard, hold shape when picked up, and fully empty anal glands during defecation. Too much fiber causes loose stools—adjust based on results.
Whole foods work better than synthetic fiber supplements because they provide balanced soluble/insoluble fiber ratios and don't cause the inconsistent stools common with beet pulp or cellulose.
Small dogs (under 20 lbs) have 3-4x higher rates of anal gland issues due to anatomical and dietary factors.
Anatomically, they have narrower anal gland ducts and smaller rectal muscles, making natural expression harder.
Dietarily, small dog foods are often more processed, higher in fillers, and lower in whole-food fiber—leading to softer stools that don't create enough pressure to express glands. Small dogs also tend to be overfed calorie-dense foods, resulting in inadequate stool bulk.
Solution: Whole-food diet with adequate fiber, appropriate calorie control for proper stool volume, and daily exercise to support regular bowel movements.
Yes. Pumpkin provides both soluble and insoluble fiber that adds bulk and firmness to stools, helping naturally express anal glands during defecation.
Cooked pumpkin contains 2.7g fiber per 100g—mostly soluble fiber that absorbs water and creates well-formed stools.
Use plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling with sugar/spices) or cooked fresh pumpkin. Dosage: 1-4 tablespoons daily depending on dog size. Results appear within 3-7 days as stool consistency improves.
However, pumpkin alone won't fix problems caused by food allergies, infections, or anatomical issues—it works best as part of a whole-food diet with adequate protein and minimal processing.
Yes. Food allergies cause inflammation throughout the digestive tract, including tissues around anal glands. This inflammation leads to swelling, itching (causing scooting), and difficulty expressing glands.
Common allergens: Beef, chicken, wheat, corn, soy, dairy.
Signs of food-allergy-related anal gland issues include chronic ear infections, itchy skin, recurring impaction despite adequate fiber, and inflammation visible during vet exams.
Solution: Elimination diet trial for 8-12 weeks using novel proteins (duck, venison, rabbit) or limited-ingredient whole-food diets. Many dogs improve dramatically when allergens are removed, even without added fiber.
Healthy dogs on appropriate diets should never need manual anal gland expression—glands empty naturally during bowel movements.
If your dog needs expression more than 1-2 times per year, there's an underlying problem (usually diet-related soft stools, food allergies, or anatomical issues).
Frequency of manual expression creates dependency: repeated expression can weaken muscles around glands and damage ducts, making natural expression harder.
Focus on addressing root causes (improve diet, add whole-food fiber, rule out allergies) rather than regular manual expression. Most dogs improve significantly within 4-6 weeks on whole-food diets with adequate fiber.
The best foods for anal gland health contain:
Avoid: Grain-heavy kibble, foods with corn/wheat as primary ingredients, high-glycemic carbs causing blood sugar swings and inconsistent stools, synthetic fiber additives.
Many dogs with chronic anal gland issues improve dramatically on minimally processed whole-food diets or fresh food diets.
Diet prevents 70-80% of anal gland problems, but not all.
Preventable with diet: Impaction from soft/small stools, food allergy-related inflammation, inadequate fiber causing incomplete natural expression.
Not preventable with diet alone: Anatomical abnormalities (narrow ducts, malformed glands), tumors or cysts, severe infections, neurological issues affecting bowel control.
Best prevention protocol: Whole-food diet with 25-30% quality protein, natural fiber sources (pumpkin, sweet potato, vegetables), omega-3s for anti-inflammatory effects, minimal processing to preserve nutrients. Add regular exercise for healthy bowel function and maintain lean body weight (obesity worsens anal gland problems).
Recurring anal gland issues usually indicate an unresolved root cause:
If dietary changes don't resolve issues within 6-8 weeks, see your vet to rule out infections, tumors, or structural problems. Some dogs need ongoing dietary management, but frequency should decrease dramatically with proper nutrition.