Natural Remedies for Health of the anal glands in your pet

The anal glands or anal sacs are two small glands present in dogs and cats.

Located below the anal opening, these glands produce a substance that is secreted through ducts into the rectum when pressure is applied to the glands, usually by the passage of stool. This substance has a strong odor that is unpleasant to humans but was probably useful to animals to mark their territory.

What can go wrong with anal glands?

In our pets, anal glands can often cause health problems.

The anal gland secretions are not released naturally and sometimes build up - leading to thickening of the secretion, obstruction of the duct and sometimes even infection and abscesses. You may have seen your pet with his tail up, dragging his ass across the floor. This is an attempt to relieve pressure and discomfort affected anal glands and is called "scooting". Scooting can cause damage to the anus and indicates that your pet is having trouble with his anal glands and needs some type of intervention.

When bacteria find a way into the glands, infection can occur and lead to an abscess. Your pet may whimper or cry when attempting to defecate - this should alert to the possibility of infection. Abscesses can also be extremely painful for your pet and will require the attention of a vet and possibly antibiotics to clear infection. For this reason, it is better to prevent complications as much as possible.

Prevention and treatment

Anal glands should be felt and squeezed regularly as necessary to clear the accumulation of secretions from the gland. This can be done by your vet, groomer or even by you - get this skill is not difficult especially once you have demonstrated the technique. To squeeze the anal glands of your pet use your fingers or a thumb and forefinger to gently apply pressure on either side of the anal opening - on the outside of the glands. Press inward and upward and you should see the fluid.

A diet high in fiber also help prevent the impact for healthy bowel movements squeeze the glands naturally.

There are natural pet remedies formulated to relieve and prevent infection of the anal glands.

* Urtica urens is excellent for natural cleansing and pain relief. This herb is also useful for its astringent properties and help stop bleeding.

Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) is a well known herbal cleanser and efficiently found all over the world. This herb will also act as an antibacterial agent to prevent infection of the anal glands.

Matricaria recutita (German Chamomile) was regarded as one of the nine sacred herbs given to the Anglo-Saxon World by the ancients. In modern times it is widely used as a cleansing herb, anti-inflammatory and soothing.

* Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) will reduce the inflammation of anal glands and stop microbial growth, preventing infection and abscesses.

* Silica (6C) is a homeopathic remedy excellent for encouraging natural emptying of the anal sacs. Silicon also help keep the anal ducts open.