Dog Anal Gland Diet

If your dog's anal glands are inflamed, you'll know it. You may observe him dragging his rear end on the ground, biting at his behind, or chewing on blades of grass in an instinctive effort to firm up his stool and ease his anal-glad discomfort. In some cases, the glands may need to be manually drained, but sometimes the problem will clear up on its own. Feeding your dog a diet high in fiber, animal protein and fatty acids is the best way to keep his anal glands operating smoothly.

  1. High-Fiber Dog Food

    • Your dog's anal glands provide a dual function: first, the powerful scent they release helps her mark her territory when she is so inclined; second, when activated by the friction of adequately firm stool, the anal glands release a lubricant that helps ease excretion. Most store-brand dog food is high in carbohydrate but low in fiber. Choose high-fiber, organic brands like The Missing Link Plus Canine Formula or Natural Moves from PetAlive, which will help bulk up your dog's stool, activating healthy anal-gland function.

    Fruits and Veggies

    • Apples and pears can be added to your dog's food to slowly increase his fiber.

      You don't need to switch brands of dog food to bring high-fiber foods into your dog's diet. It's a good idea to introduce the fiber slowly so that your dog's digestion can adjust. Chop up an apple, or another high-fiber treat, and mix it right into your dog's food bowl along with his usual fare. The fiber in the fruit will bulk up his stool without constipating him, and he'll never know the sweet addition to his meal is good for him.

      Get creative about adding high-fiber plant foods to your dog's diet. Other fruits and veggies high in fiber include pears, pumpkins, sweet potatoes and green beans. Canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) can be a beneficial addition to his diet offering fiber and beta-carotene.

    Flax Seed

    • Sprinkle ground flax seed into your dog's food. The fiber will do her good.

      In the same way it promotes healthy digestion in humans, flax seed added to a bowl of dog food will aid in digestion, which is essential for healthy anal-gland function. Grind the seeds before sprinkling one or two tablespoons into your dog's food. For an extra boost in Omega-3 fatty acids, buy flax seed in oil form. The oil doesn't contain fiber, but it's good for your dog's general health--you'll notice it in her skin, coat and energy level. That high energy will prime her up for lots of exercise, which also happens to be essential to healthy digestion. Be sure to store the flax seeds or oil in a cool, dry place as they can quickly turn rancid and ineffective.

    Cooked Eggs

    • Cooked egg is an easily digestible protein.

      Healthy bowels mean healthy anal-gland function, and eggs are a highly digestible protein, good for healthy movements. If your dog has had difficulty maintaining regular bowel function, substitute his usual animal protein with a couple of cooked eggs. Most dogs love the taste of eggs, so use them as a midday or post-workout treat. Just be sure to cook them, as raw eggs can deplete your dog of Vitamin B3.