Having troubles with that not-so-pleasant dog anal gland smell? No one wants their house to have an odor like that.
The simple answer: Make sure their anal glands are expressed.
By keeping my dogs anal glands clean and expressed regularly, I have been able to keep my home smelling pleasant and free of any overwhelming doggy odors!
Let’s dive deeper
What Are Anal Glands in Dogs?
Anal glands are an important part of a dog’s anatomy, and unfortunately, they can sometimes present a smelly situation! These little sacs produce a foul-smelling liquid that your pup uses to mark their territory. It’s like the canine version of “this is mine!”
Unfortunately, when these glands become blocked or impacted, they can start to smell like a mix of rotten eggs and skunk. Gross! But never fear, there are ways to get rid of the stink and keep your home smelling fresh.
It’s important to remember: prevention is key. Keep your pup’s anal glands clean and expressed regularly keep that smell from ruining your day. Trust me – you won’t regret it!
How to Get Rid of Dog Anal Gland Smell?
So how to get rid of that doggy aroma? By following a few simple steps, you can quickly get your pup and home back to smelling fresh in no time!
Express Anal Glands in Dogs
Expressing your pup’s anal glands is the first step to getting rid of that not-so-pleasant odor! Have a vet or groomer check them every few months so you can nip any smelly situation in the bud.
It releases the fluid from the glands and prevents it from leaking, which usually causes the stink. If this doesn’t do the trick, there are plenty of over-the-counter products that’ll help you out. Again: prevention is key!
Clean Up After Anal Gland Expression
It’s just as important to clean up after expressing your pup’s anal glands as it is to express them in the first place! Remaining anal glands liquids can still cause a strong odor if left uncleaned. Furniture, carpets, upholstery, you name it.
My tip? Have a box of baking soda on-hand for spills and accidents. Sprinkle some over the affected area, let it sit for about 15 minutes and vacuum away! This will help absorb any remaining odor-causing liquid and keep your house smelling fresh.
Bathe Your Dog
Like your furniture, your dog can also have remaining liquids that can cause a smell even after expressing their anal glands.
A good bath with a dog-specific shampoo containing baking soda, aloe vera, and oatmeal can help get rid of any lingering odors and make your pup smell pleasant again!
3 Methods to Prevent the Dog Anal Gland Smell
Preventing that not-so-nice doggy smell is a breeze! Aside from keeping tabs on your pup’s anal glands, there are plenty of other ways to help keep the stink away. Here’s what I suggest:
Feed a high-quality diet that is full of fiber
Feed your pup a high-quality diet packed with fiber to keep them healthy and avoid smelly situations! It’s like hitting two birds with one stone: better digestion and less stinky anal glands!
According to a study by Anton C. Beynen, fiber-rich food helps keep your pup’s anal glands healthy. Their poop will be so firm and bulky it’ll act like a plunger and express the smelly fluids when they go number two! So load up on the fiber if you want to avoid any stinky surprises.
Add a probiotic supplement to their diet
Similar to fiber, probiotic supplements create a firmer stool and help with digestion, which reduces strain on the anal glands.
Additionally, probiotics helps create a healthy microbiome in the gut and can potentially reduce inflammation around the anus as well. So make sure to add it to your pup’s diet for optimal anal health!
Consider Having the Anal Glands Removed
If your pup’s anal glands just keep giving you grief, it might be time to consider getting them removed – yup, there’s an option for that!
This surgery will help reduce the chances of future problems cropping up, though it can’t guarantee they won’t. There’s a small chance they may encounter some peeing issues afterwards, but that’s rare.
So overall, it can be a good way to give your pup a break from anal gland problems and keep everyone sniffin’ fresh!
4 Takeaways For Dog Anal Gland Smells
We’re at the end of the article! Here are my takeaways for tackling doggy anal gland smells:
4 Takeaways For Dog Anal Gland Smells
- Keep an eye on those anal glands - regular expressin' is key!
- Make sure they're getting enough fiber in their diet - it'll help prevent plumbing problems and keep your pup smelling fresh
- Consider adding a probiotic supplement to their routine - it can reduce inflammation around the anus and create a healthy microbiome in the gut.
- Don't forget about surgery - if all else fails, get that smell-causing liquid OUT of there!
