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Most owners take pet health seriously, and any disruption to their animal’s normal life is cause for concern. One particularly unpleasant problem is anal gland issues. While these glands usually express fluid while an animal passes stool, they can become inflamed, impacted, or ruptured, sometimes requiring a trip to a veterinarian. Fortunately, you can resolve many of your pet’s anal gland issues with a little TLC.

4 Pet Health Remedies for Anal Gland Issues

Empty Them Manually

If your pet has blocked anal glands, you can relieve them by expressing the sacs yourself. Wear old clothes and rubber gloves since the fluid can be smelly, and use paper towels to catch the secretions. Lift your dog or cat’s tail and use your thumb and forefinger to squeeze at the 4 and 8 o'clock positions of your pet’s anus to release the fluid. Finish by washing and rinsing their rear.

Feed Your Pet More Fiber

You can improve pet health significantly by adding fiber to their diet. Give your dog or cat high-fiber snacks like dried sweet potatoes and baby carrots. Adding a tablespoon of plain pumpkin puree or a teaspoon of ground flax seed to their meals also is a good way to provide roughage.

Keep Your Animal at a Healthy Weight

Pet health Waipahu HIAn anal gland issue might be a symptom of a bigger pet health problem. Overweight pets are more affected by anal gland problems, so adjust their food intake or feed them low-calorie meals to alleviate pressure. A pet doctor can determine the best weight for your dog or cat and recommend ways to help them achieve it.

Increase Your Pet’s Water Intake

Proper hydration prevents inflammation of the anal glands, so add water to your pet's food to ensure they're getting enough. You also can purchase a drinking fountain that circulates water to keep it fresh and make it more appealing to your dog or cat.

 

To keep your pet in optimal health, turn to Hawaii’s Waipahu Waikele Pet Hospital. Their skilled veterinarians provide the best animal care on Oahu, and the facility is open late for emergencies. Call (808) 671-7387 to schedule an appointment and visit their website for information about their pet health services. Follow them on Twitter for more animal care tips from the veterinary hospital.

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