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My dog keeps licking her rear and has a foul, fishy odor. What to do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Maltese | Female | spayed | 1 year and 8 months old

Our dog has been licking get anus constantly and it emanates a foul, fishy odor. Is this normal or is there something we need to do to help her?

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on February 10th, 2016

It is likely that your dog possibly has an anal sac impaction or abscess. The licking will actually make it worse. You shoulld take her to a veterinarian where the anal sacs can get inspected and expressed or flushed if necessary. You can help your dog in the future by feeding a teaspoon to table spoon full of canned pumpkin daily in her food which will faclitate eliminating feces.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Bette Isacoff

    Dog Trainer

    Published on

    It sounds as if the odor you are smelling is from her anal glands, which may need to be expressed (emptied). The vet can easily do this. You may find that this is a recurring situation, but you will recognize it next time and be able to take appropriate action.

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    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 13th, 2019

    If you have not done so yet, have Willow examined by your veterinarian to ensure there is no abscess or tumor affecting the anal glands and sacs. If all is well there, keep adding canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) to her food. You can also try adding bran. There is also a high fiber commercial food available. The more often she goes out to defecate, the more she will empty her anal sacs and the less it should leak. Keep walking her to facilitate defecation.

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    Answered By Lotus Altholtz

    Veterinarian, Board-Certified Lab Animal Medicine Specialist

    Published on February 1st, 2023

    If he is licking them constantly they likely are full, infected and/or irritated and need expressing before they fistulate. Definitely bring him in for an anal gland expression (externally it is possible for you to do at home but that may not express all of the substances that are deeper in the anal gland). Time may be of the essence and anal glands may fistulate (leaving an open painful hole in the skin) overnight. Best wishes!

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    Answered By Juliana, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 24th, 2018

    This definitely sounds like an anal gland issue. If his Anal glands are very full, they often will leak small amounts and you will notice that strong fishy odor. I would recommend bringing him to your veterinarian as He likely needs his glands expressed/emptied. This should resolve the issue. If they remain very full they can get infected. Please let us know if you have any other questions !

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