What type of dog food should I feed my dogs if they are having anal gland problems?

Don't worry about food types to take care of anal gland care. Foods alone won't do it. Even the "butt scoot boogie" done by the dog itself, won't alleviate the problem. Manual expression of the glands is almost always the best way to handle the problem. Do it or have it done by your groomer when you get the dog bathed and groomed; have your vet do it, or best, do it yourself when you bathe the dog

Actually ....... it's completely false that anal glands should be emptied regularly. They are there, filled, for a reason! (Scent gland). What is a problem is when they become impacted/infected. And this is when a dog will feel discomfort = they need emptying and antibiotics. Everytime you empty them manually, they fill up again. So rather than keep at them, unless they are causing trouble, leave them alone. Every time the dog passes a good firm stool a little fluid should come out. Natural 'emptying'.

And strangely I've just had to empty my puppy Whippet's glands as she started chewing at them - her stools are pretty well 'perfect' so if this goes on, I'm going to have to, probably get some antibiotics for her. And this is obviously not down to her diet.

Food for thought.......\

!. Anal Glands only need to be expressed "when it is necessary".

2. Larger dogs can usually express this on their own, but if impacted, it should be expressed ONLY by your Vet.

3. More times than not, the anal gland problems are with smaller dogs.

4. Food really doesn't have a lot to do with this problem, however, having your dog on a good healthy diet without all the fillers is something you should put on the "top" of the list for your dogs health, anyway.

5. Call your Vet, and ask them what can be done. The only thing all of us can do here, is suggest.

Your Vet will know best what to do, and how to assist your dog.

:oPilot

If your dogs have a yard or go for regular romps outdoors, then they will naturally express their glands. This is often what they are doing when they appear to be "erasing a mistake" by dragging their bottoms across the grass.

Personally, I think that is the best way for a dog to do it. Of course, if you are in an urban setting where your dog is mostly indoors and out for walks on a leash, then getting the glands expressed during a routine grooming may be the best for you if you don't want them "erasing a mistake" across your carpet.

It is possible that whomever expresses your dogs glands is a bit rough and that could cause problems. Your Vet should be able to give you an idea of whether that could be causing the problem. Canned pumpkin is good for their digestion. It certainly won't hurt them.

In fact, it can, by causing the glands to be expressed slightly on their own. What you would essentially be doing is adding fiber, so that is a good option if your dogs are doing fine otherwise on their existing food - and you can control the amount of fiber you add. Just make very sure that your dogs still get the recommended amount of their food otherwise, so they get the proper nutrition.

Extra fiber doesn't work for every dog with this problem, but it's an easy enough thing to try.

For small dogs that only need a spoonful of pumpkin or so at a time, I put the pumpkin puree or rise in a large zip-lock bag, seal it, flatten it out, and freeze...then you can just snap off small pieces and it won't spoil.

You need a food that is high in fiber (4% and above) it'll harden up their poops and force the glands to express on there own. However, small dogs do suffer from anal gland issues because of their size so you might have to live with this issue and get them regularly expressed.

I have a Weimaraner that suffers from Anal Gland issues and stops her from pooping altogether and she continually squats trying to force it out, I have to take her in every couple of months to get them expressed and she's back to normal. Some dogs just have issues with this. However, pumpkin and rice won't help.

Good luck

This is what has worked for my dogs as I was having this happen also on a regular basis in 1 girl.The vet said to add 1/4 teas of Benefiber to the dog food daily,everyday for the dogs lifetime.I tried the Pumpkin,did'nt work.My dogs also get baby carrots and loads of vegtables and fruit daily and this has helped a great deal to where I stopped the Benefiber.They get apples,carrots corn squash grren beans sweet potatoes lettuce.So really if you can give them this then they bulk up on the fiber that they need.

She may need worming regularly it may help there stomachs if they are on a regular worming programme. I feed Eukanuba complete dry food it is expensive but really good also my dogs are on a strict worming and flea regime which also helps keep there guts settled. Also about how many times your dog goes to the loo. My JRT does about 3 just on a walk whilst both my bullys only go about once it all depends on the dog.

Im not sure that diet will help. You need to get them expressed regularly and if its severe then they may need to be surgically removed.

ADD because they fill with fluid that needs to be removed to prevent discomfort and to reduce the risk of infection. The vet or a good groomer can do it

Oh you were told a load of crap. If you have them done regularly their should be no big problem. Just add more fiber.