Supporting Anal Gland Health in Pets with a Raw Diet

Anal gland issues are a common source of discomfort for many dogs—and some cats—leading to scooting, excessive licking, and general irritation. At Raw Essentials, we understand how frustrating these problems can be for both pets and their owners. Fortunately, a well-planned raw diet can play a crucial role in supporting anal gland health, promoting firm, healthy stools, and improving overall gut function.

Understanding Anal Glands

Anal glands are small sacs located on either side of a pet’s anus that produce a scented secretion used for communication and marking. When these glands fail to empty properly, they can become inflamed, impacted, or infected. Symptoms include an unpleasant odour, scooting, licking, discomfort, and sometimes abscesses. While some may assume scooting is always related to anal glands, it can also be caused by fleas, worms, skin inflammation, or even a messy bottom.

Research and veterinary guidance show that proper anal gland function is closely tied to gut health (VCA Hospitals). A pet with a healthy gut is better able to naturally express anal glands with firm, well-formed stools.

How a Raw Diet Helps

A biologically-appropriate raw diet is designed to work with a pet’s natural physiology. At Raw Essentials, this means feeding combinations of meat, bones, organs, and green tripe in prey ratios, sourced from multiple prey species—including wild prey—without grains, starches, additives, or preservatives.

Key Benefits of a Raw Diet for Anal Gland Health:

• Firm Stools for Natural Expression: Raw meaty bones and high-quality proteins promote firm, well-formed stools that help naturally express anal glands during defecation.
• Optimal Gut Health: Raw diets support healthy gut microbiota, which in turn reduces inflammation and improves digestion, both essential for anal gland function.
• Minimally Processed, Humangrade Ingredients: By avoiding fillers, starches, and additives, raw diets reduce digestive stress and promote overall comfort for sensitive pets (Nature’s Menu).

Anal Gland Issues and Timeframes

Even with a dietary change, anal gland issues can take time to fully resolve. Stretched sacs, tissue damage, or residual infections mean improvement may take weeks or even months. With consistency and the right nutrition, however, most pets show a significant reduction in symptoms over time.

Raw Essentials’ Support for Your Pet

At Raw Essentials, we don’t just provide premium raw food—we provide expertise.

• In-House Veterinary Advice: Our qualified in-house vet works alongside your existing veterinarian to tailor nutrition plans specific to your pet’s needs.
• Personalised Nutrition Plans: Our trained pet nutrition specialists in all 17 stores nationwide provide advice both in-store and online to optimise gut and anal gland health.
• Traceable, 100% NZ Ingredients: Our raw diets are NZ-made, recipes developed with support of our Veterinarian, to ensuring quality and consistency.
• Long-Term Health Partnership: We maintain customer records across stores to provide seamless, ongoing support for pets with health concerns.

By combining species-appropriate raw nutrition with professional guidance, we help pets achieve better gut function, firmer stools, and healthier anal glands—all while supporting overall wellbeing.

Additional Tips for Anal Gland Health

• Hydration: Ensure your pet has access to fresh water at all times. Raw diets naturally contain more moisture than kibble, supporting hydration and gut health.
• Monitor Symptoms: Scooting, licking, or discomfort should be addressed promptly.
• Exercise and Weight Management: Promote healthy digestion and prevent unnecessary pressure on the anal glands.
• Veterinary Collaboration: Keep your vet informed of dietary changes. We work closely with your vet to ensure a safe and effective nutrition plan.

The Raw Essentials Difference

For 18 years, Raw Essentials has been improving the lives of cats and dogs across Aotearoa. We combine empathy, expert knowledge, and high-quality raw nutrition to address complex health issues like anal gland problems. Raw Means Raw—and we’re here to help your pet feel their absolute best.

References

My Pet Nutritionist. (n.d.). The 4 cornerstones for healthy anal glands naturally. https://mypetnutritionist.com/post/the-4-corner-stones-for-healthy-anal-glands-naturally

Nature’s Menu. (n.d.). Raw food to help dogs express anal glands. https://www.naturesmenu.co.uk/blog-food-to-help-dog-express-anal-glands.html

The Spruce Pets. (2023). Home remedies for dog scooting. https://www.thesprucepets.com/home-remedies-for-dog-scooting-7254448

VCA Hospitals. (n.d.). Anal sac disease in dogs. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/anal-sac-disease-in-dogs