Anal Glands

Fresh Feeding for Dogs with Anal Gland Problems

Written By Lana Smith, South Coast Fairy Dog Mother

The scooting. The licking. The unmistakable fishy smell. If you’ve got a dog with anal gland issues, you know exactly what I’m talking about. And if you’ve been told “it’s just something your breed is prone to” or “we’ll just express them every few weeks”, I’m here to tell you - there’s so much more you can do.

Anal gland issues are rarely random. In many cases, they’re a sign that the digestive system needs better support. Let’s talk about how fresh feeding can transform your dog’s anal gland health. Because this isn’t just about stopping the scoot. It’s about understanding what’s actually going on and giving your dog’s body what it needs to function properly.

What’s Really Going On?

Here’s the thing - anal glands are supposed to express naturally when your dog poops. But they can only do this if the poop is the right consistency. Not too soft, not too hard, just firm enough to apply the right pressure as it passes. Some dogs are described as having “poor anal gland anatomy”. While anatomy can play a role, diet, hydration, and stool quality are often overlooked contributors. Without addressing these foundations, it’s hard to know whether anatomy is truly the root cause. If your dog hasn’t had this type of fresh, consistent support, how do you know?

And what creates the perfect poo? Diet. Always diet.

When dogs are fed highly processed foods full of fillers, grains, pea protein and ingredients their bodies struggle to recognise, their digestion suffers. The result? Soft, sloppy stools that don’t put enough pressure on those anal glands. Or hard, compacted stools from dehydration. Either way, the glands don’t empty properly, they become impacted, infected, and your dog is miserable.

Sound familiar?

While some dogs appear to cope on kibble, many struggle with the lack of moisture and heavy processing, which can contribute to ongoing digestive issues. And most dogs are fed kibble. So, this is a common symptom of a much bigger issue. With all the supplements on the market - full of fillers and inflammatory ingredients, you’d hope that they may help, but alas, there is another way.

But here’s the brilliant news - you can change this. With fresh feeding, you’re giving your dog’s body exactly what it needs to create healthy, well-formed stools. And that means naturally expressing anal glands, without the vet visits, without the discomfort, without the drama.

The Magic of Hydration

Let’s start with something simple but absolutely game-changing - bone broth.

I cannot overstate how important hydration is for your dog’s digestive health. And I’m not just talking about filtered water in their very clean bowl. I’m talking about moisture-rich foods that support every single stage of digestion, from ‘the sharp end’ to bum.

Bone broth is liquid gold. It’s packed with collagen, gelatin, amino acids and minerals that heal the gut lining, support the microbiome and keep everything moving smoothly through the digestive tract. Remember that 70% of the immune system lives in the gut? Bone broth nourishes and heals it.

You can make it yourself - pop some bones (venison, beef, lamb, whatever your dog tolerates) in a slow cooker with water and a splash of apple cider vinegar, cook on low for 12-24 hours, strain and store. Or you can buy good quality bone broth from reputable suppliers.

I love Boil & Broth because their product keeps as it is dried already. It posts easily and is simple to sprinkle on. Check out my social channels for more info and get in touch for a discount code.

Add it to your dog’s meals. Pour it over their food. Freeze it in lick mats and ice cube trays. However you do it, you’re adding moisture, nutrients and gut-healing properties to every meal. And hydrated, healthy digestion means well-formed poops. Which means happy anal glands.

Raw Meaty Bones - The Game Changer

Now, let’s talk about upgrading that dry kibble. And before you panic thinking “I can’t do that, it’s too complicated”, breathe. I’m not asking you to become a canine nutritionist overnight. I’m only suggesting to try adding fresh, species-appropriate foods to your dog’s bowl.

Dogs are designed to eat raw meat and bones. Their stomach acid is incredibly strong - strong enough to break down raw bones safely. When they eat this way, their bodies work as nature intended.

Raw meaty bones provide natural teeth cleaning, mental stimulation and crucially, they create the perfect stool consistency for anal gland expression. The bone content adds bulk and firmness without causing constipation when fed appropriately.

Raw meaty bones should always be fed appropriately for your dog’s size, chewing style, and health history, and never cooked. If you’re unsure, seek guidance before introducing them.

Start simple:

- A lamb rib for breakfast

- Some lightly cooked mince (beef, lamb, turkey - whatever your dog tolerates) mixed with their current food

- A raw egg once or twice a week - I can help you get the best protein for your dog

- A portion of raw green tripe (yes, it smells horrific, but dogs absolutely love it and it’s brilliant for digestion)

You don’t have to switch overnight. You don’t have to go 100% raw tomorrow. But adding even 20-30% fresh food to your dog’s diet will make a visible difference to their health within weeks.

The Supermarket Solution

Here’s what I love most about fresh feeding - it doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. You can walk into any supermarket and pick up things that will genuinely improve your dog’s health.

Try adding:

- A tin of sardines in spring water (omega-3 for inflammation, moisture for digestion)

- Some lambs liver from the meat counter (very cost effective and absolutely packed with nutrients)

- Some greens for fibre (if your dog tolerates them)

- A spoonful of 100% single ingredient natural yoghurt or kefir (probiotics for gut health)

These aren’t fancy ingredients. You’re not shopping at specialist pet stores or spending a fortune. You’re just adding real, fresh food to your dog’s bowl. And over time, meal after meal, week after week, your dog’s body should respond. For more personalised 1:1 help, please get in touch.

The inflammation reduces. The gut heals. The microbiome flourishes. The poops become perfectly formed. And those anal glands? They start expressing naturally, the way they’re meant to.

Why This Works

Let me take you back to basic biology for a moment. Remember how we talked about the gut, the villi, the microbiome and the immune system in previous articles? Everything is connected.

When you feed fresh, species-appropriate food, you’re supporting the entire digestive system. You’re not triggering inflammatory responses with processed ingredients, fillers and things your dog’s body doesn’t recognise. You’re giving the gut what it needs to heal, to absorb nutrients properly, to create firm, healthy stools.

And when the digestive system works properly, when the gut is healthy and the microbiome is thriving, anal glands become a non-issue. They express naturally as your dog does their business, without pain, without infection, without weekly vet appointments.

This isn’t a quick fix. I’m not selling you a miracle cure. But if you commit to adding fresh foods to your dog’s diet consistently, you will see changes. Some dogs improve within days, others take weeks or months depending on how compromised their system is. But improvement will come.

Where Do You Start?

You don’t have to do everything at once. Small, consistent changes add up. When you support the gut properly, many chronic issues including anal gland problems, begin to resolve naturally.

If your dog is currently on medication for allergies, intolerances or chronic inflammation, if they’re being expressed regularly at the vet, if you’ve “tried everything” - I’ve been there. I know how overwhelming it feels. I trusted my vet’s and the specialist’s knowledge too. And that’s why I had to learn more.

But you haven’t tried everything. Not yet.

Start by adding bone broth to every meal. Just that one thing. See how your dog responds. Then add a little freshly cooked mince. Then maybe a lamb rib. Build slowly, watch your dog’s body, adjust as needed.

If you need guidance on what specifically will work for your individual dog, if you’re confused about ingredients or worried about making mistakes, I’m really happy to support you. I can help you create a plan that works for your dog’s specific needs, breed, health history and your lifestyle.

Because every dog deserves to live without discomfort. Every dog deserves a diet that supports their natural health. And you deserve to stop scooting across the living room carpet after them with the cleaning spray.

Fresh feeding isn’t complicated. It’s actually the most natural, intuitive way to feed your dog. And for anal gland problems? It’s genuinely transformative.

**So, get in touch with me to start your dog’s wellness journey today.**

Putting good in and getting good out for your dog.