Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

My dog has smelly anal discharge and other dogs keep licking his rear.

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Boxer | Male | neutered | 8 years and 3 months old | 92 lbs

Rocky, boxer, 8 y.o., neutered 6 most ago, active, eats well, has food allergies managed by food choices, eats Exeed , lamb and rice. Rocky has smelly discharge from his rectum, a few times a day has compulsive leaking of his groin area and anus. 2 other our dogs also lick Rocky's anus and sniff it for some time, but do not do it to each other.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Jennifer Ladd, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 10th, 2017

I would need a bit more information, but given your description above I am concerned about Rocky's anal glands. In healthy dogs, they express on their own, but in some cases they fill up and need assistance in being expressed. Even worse, sometimes they become impacted and infected. This requires antibiotics and medical intervention. In the most severe cases, the anal glands need to be surgically removed. Based on your description I am concerned that his are impacted and infected. I would have a veterinarian examine right away to confirm.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

    Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

    Published on July 18th, 2017

    It's true that dogs can sometimes develop anal gland issues (either infections, or overly full glands) that can cause discomfort and a strong odor in this area - for some dogs, this may mean that they spend a lot of time sniffing or licking at their anus. This is not a life-threatening issue at all, more of a minor annoyance in most cases :) If you're concerned, I would recommend taking Bruno to your vet to have his anal glands checked - he may need to have them expressed if they are overly full or uncomfortable.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 4th, 2018

    I think you are right to suspect an infection as the signs you described may be compatible with it. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
Hi, my dog seems to have a fishy smell coming from his rectum. When I let him out today, it seemed to look a little irritated. Is there a topical cream I can use for him or do i need to call the vet. I havent noticed him licking at all.
You are probably smelling his anal sacs. They are like scent glands in a skunk. They are on eithe side of the anus and the fluid smells awful, like rotten fish. If you’re smelling this then you should bring him in to have the fluid expressed. Sometime dogs get infection in the anal sacs which can be very painful and hard to heal. Most dogs empty the fluid when they defecate or express it when scared, again like a skunk. If the opening gets clogged the fluid can build up causing itching and sometimes infection. They will do a rectal palpation to empty the fluid and that will show whether there is infection present. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for Rocky.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi my Old English sheep dog has a very pink sphincter with few lumps , with small amount of discharge and bad smell , he keeps wanting to clean it by licking I would appreciate your thoughts ?
Your dog may have infected or impacted anal glands. This certainly would explain the discomfort and foul smell. I recommend getting him seen by your vet as soon as possible to have them checked to make sure that is indeed what is going on, expressed and maybe put on antibiotics to help him heal faster.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I have a dog (Maggie), she has some kind of weird smell from her anus. Its like a yellow pale (smells something like puss). But, she is all fine with food, going for her toilets and does not seem to be in discomfort. I am abit worried as the smell wa
Poor Maggie. There is a good chance this is the discharge from her anal glands. Dogs has 2 glands, one on each side just inside of their anus, that usually naturally express when they have bowel movements. Unfortunately, some dogs do not always express these and they will get full. Then they will accidentally express them by scooting their booty, licking back there, when they get frightened, or just because they get too full. I would have your vet’s office try to express her anal glands and you may need to give her a bath to see if that gets rid of the smell. Some dogs need regular expressing every 4-8 weeks. Most vet clinic do this for a small charge or even for free. You can also have your vet show you how to do it at home but I must warn you, it is a nasty job. :) I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog had small cut on/near anus and some brownish color discharge & smell comes out when she’s licking/biting on it. It seems to only irritate her after she poops. Been using peroxide (to clean) and benedryl cream to heal. Any other advice or Ointm
Sugar is probably suffering from an anal gland infection/blockage, Peroxide or any other ointment will not help, she needs a course of antibiotics and if the anal gland is blocked it requires a procedure to have it deblocked, you need to take her to your vet ASAP in order to get it treated.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Ozzy's bum smells bad. My other male dog is continually licking Ozzy's bum. He is pooping fine and rating and drinking. I don't see any lumps or anything odd. What can this possibly be?
One possibility would be that Ozzy is expressing fluid from his anal glands. Anal gland fluid often has a fishy smell to it that attracts other dogs. I am attaching a handout below with more information on anal glands. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=625 If that sounds like what might be going on with Ozzy, then I would recommend scheduling an appointment at your veterinary office to have them check Ozzy's anal glands. Hopefully they will be able to express the fluid and resolve the problem. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog (beagle/coonhound) has some liquid discharge come out of his anus. This has not happened before. Total amount was about the size of a half dollar bill. Does this mean he needs anal glands popped?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Normal discharge from the anal glands is brown to black. If this discharge is red, white, or yellowish, it means there is an infection in the glands. The fluid usually smells like rotten fish (normal). Dogs can express their glands on their own, and should when they pass a bowel movement. They can also express them if they are frightened/startled. If the discharge is normal color and Ozzy isn't licking or scooting, I would guess this was a normal expression and no further treatment is required. If not, I would have a veterinarian check the glands for any abnormalities (but its not emergent). Good luck and kisses to Ozzy!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Both English Bulldogs continually secreting anal gland fluid it smells terrible and always on furniture or beds help what to do.
These are two little glands inside the dog's rectum. They naturally fill with a material that ranges from thin, light colored liquid to a thick paste. When a dog defecated, this material is released -- most of the time not all of the liquid is release but over the course of each defecation, enough is released that the glands do not overfill. With some dogs though, this process does not occur as easily. This can be due to the material being too thick to be expressed, the stool being too soft or diarrhea which does not apply enough force to the gland to express the fluids or due to an underlying disease process. The most common cause of recurrently full anal glands is an underlying allergy problem. Dogs with skin sensitivity or allergies often have anal glands that need to be emptied on a routine basis. If the glands become too full, the material can become infected or the gland can rupture. In this case, the area will heal but antibiotics are typically needed. After the anal glands are
Updated on March 19th, 2026
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
My black lab is leaking brown fluid from his anus . I am not sure if he is ok . Should I take him to the vet? He is licking in the area and around
Poor guy. He either has really loose stool or an anal gland issues. The anal glands are located inside the rectum and can get infected or even rupture, causing leakage of fluid that is very strong and smelly. I would definitely recommend taking him to your vet on tomorrow if possible to get this looked at. Either condition is very treatable through your vet with medications (i.e. antibiotics). For now, it is best to just wipe the area gently with a wet cloth or paper towel. If the area appears to be irriated, you can also apply a cold compress on the area if he will allow it, for 2-5 mins to help soothe the area. Also an epsom salt water solution can help clean the area and provide additional relief. I hope that Frankie's rear end improves soon! Best wishes and take care. : )
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
I got a dog a few months ago a Shiba Inu. He is a year and 7 months old. Occasionally, his butt leaks a liquid. It smells almost like copper or metal. I am just wondering how to stop this or what it is as I do not want this smell all over my couch an
Thank you for submitting your question regarding River. I suspect he is expressing or leaking fluid from his anal glands. These are two sacs that sit under the skin on either side of the anus. They express fluid each time the dog defecates to mark its scent. Occasionally the glands will become too full and leak or the animal will accidentally express them when startled. I would start by having them expressed at a veterinary hospital. Groomers do not tend to do a thorough job. They will let you know if the contents appears normal or not and make a recommendation on how frequently to have it done. Some dogs will need them expressed regularly. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog (a 16 yr old MinPin) was lying on the couch next to me today and when he got up, I noticed a stain on the couch. It was brownish red. I looked him over and saw that there was a moist area to the left of his anus and it had the same reddish bro
It could be these "butt pimples" you've heard people refer to are the anal sacs. These are two, small sacs located just inside the anus that release a smelly fluid when feces pass to help lubricate it on the way out. They can become impacted and then infected, and given your description, it is possible that Boy's have become infected. I would have him seen today by a vet. If they become too infected, they can rupture. The vet can examine his anal sacs, flush them out if needed, and prescribe antibiotics if there is an infection.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored