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Anal Gland Issues

Dog food for anal gland issues

The anal glands are a pair of small sacs that sit just inside the anus that contain a strong-smelling liquid. Healthy anal glands empty when a dog poos (or sometimes if they’re scared or startled). This strong-smelling liquid used for marking territory & provides other dogs with important information such as gender, size & age.

Any dog can develop blocked anal glands & whilst these glands can be manually expressed/emptied, expressing them frequently can cause irritation and damage to the tissues, so it should only be done routinely in extreme circumstances.  That said, if your dog’s anal glands are positioned unusually it can prevent them from expressing naturally & there is often no alternative.  Adding psyllium husks to their dinner can help ‘bulk out’ the poo, which may help.

However, if your dog struggles with anal gland issues & has any of the following:

  • Diarrhoea (soft stools don’t properly express the anal glands during defecation)
  • Constipation (no stool = no anal gland expression)
  • Obesity (excess weight can prevent the glands expressing properly)
  • Chronic skin & ear infections (bacterial or yeast)
  • Allergies & intolerances (environmental or food-related itching, hot spots etc)

then there’s every chance that some dietary changes may help resolve both issues.

The first step is opt for a good quality, hypo-allergenic, easy to digest food.  Because so many food-related allergies & intolerances centre around wheat & gluten we recommend opting for a gluten or grain free diet & to avoid chicken as a precaution.  This must also extend to treats and/or table scraps otherwise they will undo all the good work of your quality food.

Aim for a 100% natural diet (to help rid the body of toxins) & good, firm, kickable poo. You may need to experiment a little with fat & fibre tweaks to get the perfect poo but it’s very much worth it.

Unfortunately, anal gland problems often don’t get better quickly.  It may take a little while before you see results even if their poo & skin have improved but, over time, things should gradually get better.

Similarly, if you pooch is overweight then embarking on a weight loss programme is essential because excess fat can physically stop the glands emptying – try opting for a food that is around 8% fat or less & feed according to their ideal weight (not their current weight), less 10% - see our obesity section for some tips on low-calorie treats too.

 

The foods listed below are all 100% natural, gentle on sensitive digestions & very low allergen.  For weight loss choose a food that’s around 8% fat.

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Image of Bells & Whistles chicken dinner grain free dog food

Bells & Whistles Chicken Dinner

  • Grain free & high in protein with added superfoods, joint support & healthful herbs
  • Suitable for puppies & active adult dogs. Beet pulp free.
  • Protein: 29%, Fat: 16%, Fibre: 3.2%, Calories: c. 371k/cal per 100g
  • 2kg & 12kg bags
£0.00
Image of Bells & Whistles chicken dinner grain free food for small dogs and puppies

Bells & Whistles Chicken Dinner (Small Bite/Puppy)

  • Grain free & high in protein with added superfoods, joint support & healthful herbs
  • Smaller kibble size for small puppies or active adult dogs. Beet pulp free.
  • Protein: 29%, Fat: 16%, Fibre: 3.2%, Calories: c. 371k/cal per 100g
  • 2kg & 12kg bags
£0.00
Image of Bells & Whistles duck dinner grain free dog food

Bells & Whistles Duck Dinner

  • Grain free & high in protein with added superfoods, joint support & healthful herbs
  • Suitable for puppies & active adult dogs. Beet pulp free.
  • Protein: 28%, Fat: 16%, Fibre: 3.2%, Calories: c. 371k/cal per 100g
  • 2kg & 12kg bags
£0.00
Image of Bells & Whistles lamb dinner grain free dog food

Bells & Whistles Lamb Dinner

  • Grain free & high in protein with added superfoods, joint support & healthful herbs
  • Suitable for puppies & active adult dogs. Beet pulp free.
  • Protein: 29%, Fat: 16%, Fibre: 3.2%, Calories: c. 371k/cal per 100g
  • 2kg & 12kg bags
£0.00
Image of Happy Go Lightly low calorie, low fat hypoallergenic dog food

Happy Go Lightly (Turkey & Rice)

  • Wheat & Gluten free, hypoallergenic low fat dog food that's gentle on kidneys & tums
  • Ideal for low-moderately active dogs. Only 8% fat & 0.8% phosphorus
  • Protein: 23%, Fat: 8%, Fibre: 3.5%, Calories: c. 346k/cal per 100g
  • 1.5kg & 10kg bags (40kg Bulk Deal Also Available)
£0.00
Image of Happy Go Lightly Turkey low calorie, low fat, hypoallergenic, low phosphorus dog food for senior dogs

Happy Go Lightly Senior (Turkey & Rice)

  • Wheat & Gluten free, gentle, low fat dog food with added joint support & l-carnitine
  • Ideal for low-moderately active senior dogs. Only 8% fat & 0.7% phosphorus
  • Protein: 20%, Fat: 8%, Fibre: 4%, Calories: c. 342k/cal per 100g
  • 1.5kg & 10kg bags (40kg Bulk Deal Also Available)
£0.00
Image of Happy Go Lightly Turkey low calorie, low fat, hypoallergenic dog food for small dogs

Happy Go Lightly Small Bite (Turkey & Rice)

  • Wheat & Gluten free, gentle, low fat dog food with added joint support
  • Ideal for low-moderately active dogs. Only 8% fat & 0.8% phosphorus
  • Protein: 23%, Fat: 8%, Fibre: 3.5%, Calories: c. 346k/cal per 100g
  • 1.5kg & 10kg bags (40kg Bulk Deal Also Available)
£0.00
Image of In The Pink natural, gluten free, hypoallergenic dog food for small dogs

In The Pink - small bite (Salmon & Potato)

  • Wheat & Gluten free, hypoallergenic dog food. Lots of Omega 3's from over 40% salmon!
  • For low-moderately active small breed dogs
  • Protein: 22%, Fat: 11%, Fibre: 3%, Calories: c. 357k/cal per 100g
  • 2kg & 12kg bags (48kg Bulk Deal Also Available)
£0.00
Image of In The Pink natural, gluten free, salmon & potato hypoallergenic dog food

In the Pink (Salmon & Potato)

  • Wheat & Gluten free, hypoallergenic dog food. Lots of Omega 3's from freshly prepared salmon
  • Ideal for hungry & moderately active med-large dogs
  • Protein: 22%, Fat: 10%, Fibre: 3%, Calories: c. 357k/cal per 100g
  • 2kg & 12kg bags (48kg Bulk Deal Also Available)
£0.00
Image of Itchy Dog dog food for allergic dogs

Itchy Dog (Fish & Potato)

  • Grain free, hypoallergenic dog food with added Itch Eeze supplement
  • Ideal for sensitive or allergy prone moderately active dogs
  • Protein: 23%, Fat: 12%, Fibre: 3.5%, Calories: c. 355k/cal per 100g
  • 2kg & 12kg bags (48kg Bulk Deal Also Available)
£0.00
Image of Tickety Boo Sensitive Dog Food with Beef, sweet potato & carrot

Tickety Boo (Angus Beef, Sweet Potato & Carrot)

  • Grain Free, super-gentle hypoallergenic recipe that's packed with protein.
  • Ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Only 0.5% phosphorus
  • Protein: 29%, Fat: 13%, Fibre: 3%, Calories: c. 374k/cal per 100g
  • 2kg & 13.5kg bags (54kg Bulk Deal Also Available)
£0.00
Image of Tickety Boo Sensitive Dog Food with Duck, sweet potato & orange

Tickety Boo (Duck, Sweet Potato & Orange)

  • Grain Free, super-gentle hypoallergenic recipe that's packed with 50% duck.
  • Ideal for fussy dogs & those with sensitive stomachs. Added Omega 3 supplement
  • Protein: 26%, Fat: 14%, Fibre: 3%, Calories: c. 371k/cal per 100g
  • 2kg & 13.5kg bags (54kg Bulk Deal Also Available)
£0.00
Image of Tickety Boo Sensitive Dog Food with Lamb, sweet potato & mint

Tickety Boo (Lamb, Sweet Potato & Mint)

  • Grain Free, super-gentle hypoallergenic recipe that's packed with 50% lamb.
  • Ideal for fussy dogs & those with sensitive stomachs. Added Omega 3 supplement
  • Protein: 26%, Fat: 13%, Fibre: 3%, Calories: c. 361k/cal per 100g
  • 2kg & 13.5kg bags (54kg Bulk Deal Also Available)
£0.00
Image of Tickety Boo Sensitive Dog Food with Pork, sweet potato & apple

Tickety Boo (Pork, Sweet Potato & Apple)

  • Grain Free, super-gentle hypoallergenic recipe with a novel protein source.
  • Ideal for fussy dogs, allergic dogs & those with sensitive stomachs. Added Omega 3 supplement
  • Protein: 26%, Fat: 15%, Fibre: 3.5%, Calories: c. 368k/cal per 100g
  • 2kg & 13.5kg bags (54kg Bulk Deal Also Available)
£0.00
Image of Tickety Boo Sensitive Dog Food with Tuna, sweet potato & broccoli

Tickety Boo (Tuna, Sweet Potato & Broccoli)

  • Grain Free, super-gentle hypoallergenic recipe with a high Omega 3 content.
  • Ideal for fussy dogs, arthritic dogs & those with sensitive stomachs.
  • Protein: 26%, Fat: 14%, Fibre: 3%, Calories: c. 371k/cal per 100g
  • 2kg & 13.5kg bags (54kg Bulk Deal Also Available)
£0.00
Image of Tickety Boo Sensitive Dog Food with Chicken, sweet potato & herbs

Tickety Boo (Turkey, Sweet Potato & Cranberry)

  • Grain Free, super-gentle hypoallergenic recipe that's packed with 50% turkey.
  • A great all-rounder that's ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Added Omega 3 supplement
  • Protein: 26%, Fat: 11%, Fibre: 3%, Calories: c. 357k/cal per 100g
  • 2kg & 13.5kg bags (54kg Bulk Deal Also Available)
£0.00
Image of Tickety Boo Sensitive Dog Food with Venison, salmon, sweet potato & mulberry

Tickety Boo (Venison, Salmon, Sweet Potato & Mulberry)

  • Grain Free, super-gentle hypoallergenic recipe that's packed with 50% venison & salmon.
  • A great one for very fussy and/or allergic dogs with lots of Omega 3 for skin & coat health
  • Protein: 25%, Fat: 13%, Fibre: 3%, Calories: c. 364k/cal per 100g
  • 2kg & 13.5kg bags (54kg Bulk Deal Also Available)
£0.00
Image of Tickety Boo Senior low fat Sensitive dog food with Turkey, sweet potato & cranberry for senior dogs

Tickety Boo Senior/Light (Turkey, Sweet Potato & Cranberry)

  • Grain Free, super-gentle hypoallergenic recipe for optimum support for senior or overweight dogs.
  • Added Omega 3, l-carnitine & Joint Support & only 9% fat.
  • Protein: 27%, Fat: 9%, Fibre: 3.5%, Calories: c. 343k/cal per 100g
  • 2kg & 13.5kg bags (54kg Bulk Deal Also Available)
£0.00