Do Shiba Inus Need Their Anal Glands Expressed? (How To Do It Safely)

Healthy Shiba Inus usually do not need their anal glands manually expressed, but when symptoms appear, knowing the correct technique — and when to see a vet — prevents pain, infection, and impaction in this compact, clean-fastidious breed.

Shiba Inus are famously cat-like in their grooming habits, and many owners assume that means their anal glands take care of themselves. For most Shibas, that is actually true: a firm, well-formed stool passing through the rectum naturally compresses the anal sacs and expresses their contents. Problems arise when stools are consistently soft, when the dog is overweight, when allergies inflame the perianal skin, or when the ducts are anatomically narrow — all scenarios that show up fairly often in this breed, given its well-known predisposition to atopic dermatitis and food sensitivities.

Signs Your Shiba's Anal Glands Need Attention

Watch for these common warning signs, especially during seasonal coat blow when loose undercoat can irritate the area:

• Scooting — dragging the rear across the floor or carpet
• Excessive licking or biting at the anus or base of the tail
• A strong, fishy or metallic odor that is not normal body smell
• Swelling or asymmetry on one or both sides of the anus (at roughly the 4 and 8 o'clock positions)
• Difficulty defecating, straining, or producing ribbon-like stool
• Yelping when the tail or hindquarters are touched

If you see blood, pus, or a red bulging area, the gland may be infected or abscessed — skip home expression and go straight to the veterinarian.

Should You Express Them Routinely?

No. Routine or prophylactic expression is not recommended by most veterinary dermatologists. Over-expressing healthy glands can cause micro-trauma, inflammation, scarring of the duct, and ironically make impaction more likely over time. Expression should only happen when symptoms are present, or when your vet has confirmed a chronic issue that requires scheduled emptying (for example, every 4–6 weeks in a confirmed case of ductal atresia).

How Anal Gland Expression Is Done

There are two accepted methods. Both require gloves, lubricant, and calm, confident handling — Shibas are sensitive and may react defensively.

External (External-Only) Method

1. Lift the tail gently and hold it up and out of the way.
2. Place your thumb and index finger at roughly 4 and 8 o'clock just below the anus, on either side of the anal sphincter.
3. Apply steady, inward-and-upward pressure with both fingers simultaneously.
4. Use a warm, damp cloth to wipe away the expressed fluid — it is usually grayish-brown and thick.
5. Reward your Shiba immediately with a high-value treat; this preserves trust for future handling.

This method is best for mild, non-impacted cases and is the technique most groomers use during a bath.

Internal (Rectal) Method

1. Only perform this if you have been trained by a veterinarian — it is more thorough but carries higher risk of injury.
2. Wear a lubricated, gloved index finger.
3. Insert the finger about 1 cm into the rectum and locate the pea- to grape-sized sac at 4 or 8 o'clock.
4. Squeeze between your internal finger and your external thumb to milk the gland from the inside out.
5. Repeat on the opposite side, then clean the area thoroughly.

The internal method is preferred for chronic impactions, thick or pasty secretions, and when the external approach fails to fully empty the sac.

When To See The Vet Instead

Book a veterinary visit if your Shiba shows any of the following:

• Recurring scooting more than once a month
• Blood, pus, or a foul yellow-green discharge
• Visible swelling, redness, or a hot lump near the anus (possible abscess)
• Signs of pain when sitting or walking
• Any suspicion of an anal gland tumor (rare, but more common in older dogs)

A vet can flush impacted glands under sedation, prescribe antibiotics or anti-inflammatories, and rule out allergies contributing to chronic soft stools. Because Shibas are prone to atopic dermatitis, treating the underlying itch often resolves the gland issue too.

Prevention Tips For Shiba Inu Owners

• Feed a high-fiber diet (or add plain canned pumpkin or psyllium husk) to firm up stools — the #1 preventive measure.
• Maintain a healthy weight; obesity is a major risk factor for impaction.
• Manage allergies aggressively — fewer skin inflammation episodes mean fewer gland flare-ups.
• Stay current on vet checks, including the annual eye exam and OFA screenings recommended by CHIC, so your vet can spot related issues early.
• Avoid unnecessary expression — let your Shiba's body do its job whenever possible.

Bottom line: do not schedule anal gland expression as a default grooming add-on for your Shiba Inu. Only act when symptoms appear, use the gentlest effective method, and loop in your vet for anything beyond routine maintenance.