If you’ve noticed your dog or cat dragging their bottom along the ground, you’re seeing a behaviour known as scooting. Many Australian pet owners assume scooting automatically means worms — and while worms can be a cause, they’re far from the only one.

Why Anal Glands Matter

Anal glands (sometimes called anal sacs) are two small glands located on either side of your pet’s anus. They’re roughly the size of a pea and produce a distinctive, often fishy-smelling fluid that pets use for communication and territory marking.

When your pet has a bowel movement, firm stool naturally puts pressure on these glands and expresses the fluid.

But when the glands become impacted, this natural draining doesn’t occur — leading to swelling, irritation and discomfort.

 

Signs of Impacted or Infected Anal Glands 

If your dog or cat is experiencing anal gland trouble, you may notice:

• Scooting across carpet, grass or flooring
• A strong, unpleasant fishy smell
• Licking, chewing or biting their rear end 
• Whimpering, restlessness or discomfort when sitting
• Swelling or redness around the anus (in more severe cases)

What You Can Do to Help

1. Visit Your Local Vet

Your vet can manually express the anal glands and check for infection. Impacted glands can be extremely uncomfortable, so early treatment makes a big difference.

2. Add Fibre to Their Diet

A diet with more natural fibre helps create firm, bulky stools that support healthy anal gland function.

Pet-safe, fibre-rich foods include:

• Pumpkin
• Sweet potato
• Peas

These help the stool press against the colon wall during bowel movements, assisting natural gland expression.

When to Seek Help

If you’re unsure, always speak with your vet — especially if you live in regional or rural parts of Australia where seasonal allergies, diet changes or environmental factors can make scooting more common.

For more detail on healthy stools, click here to see our Let’s Talk Poo guide.

 

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