written by Janie Knetzer |  

Dog anal glands or scent glands serve little purpose except that they release a scent that is individual and distinctive to each dog. It is believed that other dogs can tell a great deal about the dog from his/her particular scent. If the dog is male or female, submissive or dominant, etc.

When a dog urinates or defecates, it places pressure on the anal sacs which in turn releases the scent. Once this smell is released, it allows dogs to identify each other. Again, the odor released from the glands is something of a calling card which conveys to other dogs whether or not this particular dog is friend or foe.

Most people are unaware of the significance of dog anal glands and the role that they play in nature. Unfortunately, these glands can also cause Fido and owner a great deal of distress. When the glands become full and the dog cannot release the fluid inside the glands, they often become infected or impacted. 

Here are five simple tips to identify problems and keep your dog’s glands healthy:

• Always take notice to the consistency of your dog’s stool. Frequent soft stool can be problematic for dogs with gland issues. Soft stool is most often related to poor diet. 
• Be aware of your dog’s behavior. If you notice him sniffing and chewing his backend repeatedly; the glands could be full and the dog could be having difficulty emptying them himself. 
• Diet is the most important tip of all. Many dog health problems and diseases can be reversed and maintained just with good food. A poor diet and a low grade food will eventually catch up and cause your beloved dog many health problems. Allergies including reoccurring anal gland problems, runny eyes , soft stool, ear problems and more are all indicators of a poor diet or a diet that does not agree with your dog. It’s not enough to throw cheap kibble in a bowl and expect your furry carnivore to maintain good health. Feed a quality food .
• Dragging and scooting the rear e...