Your cockapoos anal glands are not usually top of mind until they become a problem. That is why it is helpful to know more about this area of your cockapoos anatomy and how it functions.

Your cockapoos anal glands are situated on either side of its rectum. It uses the little smelly brown fluid contained in each of these glands as its personal canine introduction method.

When your cockapoo excretes urine or stools, it places some pressure on the anal glands, which then release your dogs own individual scent as well as a little of the smelly fluid mentioned earlier.

Have you ever wondered why dogs that meet each other for the first time hold their tails high? This tail action places pressure on your dogs anal glands; hence your cockapoos puzzling habit of sniffing another dogs behind! Your cockapoo uses sniffing to identify another dog, its way of shaking hands or exchanging a business card when it meets someone new.

While people dont behave this way, it definitely helps to understand that these actions are normal for your dog.

Maybe you are concerned that your cockapoo will release nasty smells at every turn. No need to worry – dogs have a highly developed sense of smell, so they only excrete tiny amounts of this substance. Its unlikely you will catch a whiff of this malodorous fluid unless your cockapoos anal glands become infected.

Few dogs generally experience anal gland problems, but since smaller dog breeds (and your cockapoo is one of them) are more susceptible to anal gland infection, its important to know what to look out for.

In some cases, your dogs anal glands may not excrete often enough, leading to a bacteria build up and an infection. If not treated, such infections can cause an abscess, which may break through the skin surface and lead to medical complications.

One possible cause of anal gland ailments in dogs is inferior dog food. Some lower quality dog food brands use bulk fillers that result in soft stools. This is problematic because soft stools exert too little pressure against your pets anal glands for them to excrete properly.

If however, your cockapoo eats good quality dog food, it will be more likely to produce a firmer stool, thereby making the process of anal gland excretion far easier.

Identifying anal gland problems in your cockapoo

Your cockapoos anal glands may become solidified if they are unable to express sufficiently, which would cause discomfort.

Watch if your cockapoo is dragging or rubbing his behind across the floor, chewing or licking its anal and tail area, producing loose soft stools or having an unpleasant fishy smelling behind.

If one or more of these signs are present, it is best to take your cockapoo to the vet. Sometimes it may be necessary to express your cockapoos anal glands manually. Since this is not an easy procedure, you should rather enlist the help of your vet or professional dog groomer.