Dog scooting, licking back end, or smelly back end (anal glands)
Scooting, excessive licking, or a fishy smell often points to anal gland issues — a vet or trained nurse can express the glands; never try at home without training.
Recognise the signs
- Dragging the bottom along the floor (scooting)
- Excessive licking or chewing at the back end
- Fishy or strong unpleasant smell
- Visible swelling, redness, or discharge near the anus
- Painful when sitting or defecating
- Sudden hole or wound near the anus — abscess rupture, urgent
- Reluctance to wag tail or sit normally
First aid steps
- Note the duration and frequency of scooting and licking.
- Check the area gently for swelling, redness, discharge, or a visible wound.
- Phone the vet within a few days for routine expression, or same day for any swelling, severe pain, or visible rupture.
- Keep the area clean with damp cotton wool if discharge is present.
- Prevent licking with a buster collar if a wound is visible.
Do NOT
- Do not attempt to express anal glands at home without proper training — risk of injury and infection.
- Do not assume scooting is always worms — it usually isn't.
- Do not ignore an obviously swollen area near the anus — abscesses rupture and need treatment.
- Do not over-express healthy glands — repeated unnecessary squeezing can damage them.
When to phone the vet immediately
- Visible swelling, redness, or pain near the anus
- Discharge of blood or pus
- Sudden hole or wound — abscess has ruptured
- Lethargy, off food, fever
- Recurrent gland issues — investigate underlying cause
- Older dog with a firm lump near the anus — possible tumour
Signs that can usually wait for a routine appointment
- Occasional brief scooting in an otherwise bright dog can be monitored briefly, but persistent or recurrent scooting warrants vet examination.
Common causes
- Impacted anal glands — full and not emptying naturally
- Anal gland infection or abscess
- Tumour of the anal gland (older dogs)
- Allergies and skin disease around the back end
- Soft stool failing to express glands during defecation
- Tapeworms (less common, but can cause itching)
What the vet will need to know
- How long the signs have been present
- Frequency of scooting
- Stool consistency (soft stools fail to express glands naturally)
- Diet and recent changes
- Any visible swelling or discharge
- Previous history of anal gland issues
Aftercare
- Manual expression by vet or trained nurse.
- Antibiotics and anti-inflammatories for infection or abscess.
- Surgical drainage or removal in severe or recurrent cases.
- Increase dietary fibre to firm stools and aid natural expression.
- Investigate underlying cause for recurrent cases — allergies, food, gland anatomy.
Prevention
- Maintain firm stools through appropriate diet and fibre intake.
- Manage weight and exercise.
- Address skin allergies that contribute to back-end inflammation.
- Routine expression in dogs known to have problems — but only as advised, not unnecessarily.
- Regular grooming of long-haired breeds around the back end.
Breed-specific notes
- Small breeds appear over-represented: Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Shih Tzu, Cocker Spaniel.
- Anal gland tumours: older dogs of any breed; English Springer Spaniel and Cocker Spaniel slightly higher risk.
Frequently asked questions
Should I get my dog's anal glands expressed routinely?
No — only when needed. Routine unnecessary expression can damage healthy glands and create dependence. Most dogs never need expression. Scooting, licking, or smell are signs to investigate; absence of signs usually means the glands are working fine.
Can I express my dog's glands at home?
It is not recommended without training. The technique is easy to do badly, painful when done wrong, and risks rupture or infection. A vet or trained groomer/nurse is the right person; book in for one-off issues, learn proper technique under supervision if your dog has chronic needs.
Why does my dog smell fishy?
Anal gland secretions have a distinctive fishy smell. Persistent fishy odour usually means the glands are leaking or full. A vet check identifies whether expression, infection treatment, or further investigation is needed.