Reading time: 8 minutes
Written by: Scott Frew | Founder of Premium Paws
Last updated: October 2026
Let’s be honest: it’s not the most glamorous topic. But if you’ve ever watched your Staffy drag their bottom across the lounge room carpet, or noticed a strange fishy smell when they curl up next to you on the couch, you’re far from alone. It’s one of the most common things Staffy owners notice, and one of the things they’re most embarrassed to ask about.
After a lifetime of sharing our home with Staffies, I’ve learned that these little signs are often your dog’s way of telling you something isn’t quite right down below. The good news is that, once you understand what’s going on, there’s a lot you can do day to day to help.
In this guide, I’ll explain what your Staffy’s anal glands do, why they cause problems, how your dog’s poo plays a bigger role than you might think, and the simple daily habits that support a comfortable, happy Staffy.
What Are Anal Glands, Anyway?
Every dog has two small sacs, called anal glands or anal sacs, sitting just inside the bottom at roughly the four o’clock and eight o’clock positions. They fill with a strong-smelling, oily fluid that’s unique to each dog. It’s their personal scent signature, and it’s the reason dogs are so interested in sniffing each other’s rear ends.
In a healthy dog, these sacs empty a little each time they poo. As a firm stool passes through, it presses against the glands and squeezes out a small amount of fluid. Most of the time, it all happens without you ever knowing.
Problems start when the glands don’t empty properly. The fluid builds up, thickens and can become uncomfortable, blocked or infected.
Why Staffies Scoot, Lick or Smell Fishy
When anal glands get too full, they feel itchy and uncomfortable, a bit like an itch you can’t quite reach. Your Staffy will do whatever they can to relieve the pressure. Common signs include:
- Scooting: dragging their bottom along the floor, grass or carpet
- Licking or chewing at their rear end or the base of their tail
- A fishy or metallic smell, often noticed when they sit on furniture, get excited or suddenly get a fright
- Looking back at their tail or spinning around as if something’s bothering them
- Discomfort sitting, or reluctance to have their back end touched
Why Staffies are prone to problems
Anal gland trouble can affect any dog, but a few things common in Staffies can make it more likely:
- Skin allergies. Staffies are well known for allergy-prone skin, and the same inflammation that causes itchy paws and bellies can affect the skin around the anal glands too. If you’ve read our guides on Staffy skin allergies and paw licking, you’ll recognise this pattern.
- Soft or irregular stools. Sensitive tummies and food changes can mean stools that aren’t firm enough to empty the glands properly.
- Extra weight. Carrying a few extra kilos can make it harder for the glands to empty naturally.
Scooting isn’t always about anal glands. Worms, skin irritation and allergies can cause it too, so if it keeps happening, it’s worth getting your Staffy checked.
What Your Staffy’s Poo Has to Do With It
This is the part most owners never hear about, and it’s the key to understanding anal gland health. Because the glands rely on pressure from a passing stool to empty, the consistency of your Staffy’s poo matters a great deal.
| Stool type | What it means for the anal glands |
|---|---|
| Firm, well-formed and easy to pick up | Ideal. It presses on the glands as it passes, helping them empty naturally. |
| Soft, mushy or loose | Too soft to put enough pressure on the glands, so fluid can build up. |
| Very hard, dry or difficult to pass | Can make toileting uncomfortable and is often a sign of too little water or an unbalanced diet. |
A run of soft stools, whether from a food change, a sensitive tummy or scavenging something they shouldn’t have, is one of the most common reasons anal glands start to cause trouble. That’s why supporting healthy digestion is one of the best things you can do for your Staffy’s back end.
Daily Habits That Support Healthy Stools
In our family, looking after our Staffies has always come down to small, consistent habits, and digestion is no different. Here’s what makes the biggest difference:
Feed a consistent, quality diet. Sudden food changes are a common trigger for soft stools. If you need to switch foods, do it gradually over a week or so, mixing a little more of the new food in each day.
Include the right fibre. Fibre helps bulk up stools and keep them firm. A mix of soluble fibre, which supports good gut bacteria and stool texture, and insoluble fibre, which adds bulk, gives the best support. A spoonful of plain cooked pumpkin (not pie filling) mixed into dinner is a simple, natural option many owners use. Add fibre gradually, as too much too quickly can upset the tummy.
Keep fresh water available. Good hydration keeps stools moving comfortably and helps prevent them becoming hard and dry.
Watch the scraps and scavenging. Fatty leftovers, barbecue scraps and anything picked up on walks can upset a sensitive Staffy tummy for days.
Keep them lean and active. Regular walks keep the digestive system moving, and a healthy weight helps the glands empty naturally.
Check their poo. It’s not the most pleasant job, but noticing changes early lets you act before small problems become big ones.
Signs Your Staffy Needs a Vet
Occasional scooting isn’t usually an emergency, but blocked anal glands can become infected and form a painful abscess, which can burst through the skin. Book a vet visit promptly if you notice:
- Swelling, redness or a lump on either side of the bottom
- Blood or pus around the bottom, or on their bedding
- Obvious pain, crying out or flinching when sitting or being touched there
- Straining or difficulty passing poo
- Scooting or licking that keeps coming back, even after the glands have been emptied
- Fever, lethargy or going off their food
Your vet can safely empty the glands and check for infection. Please don’t try squeezing them yourself unless your vet has shown you how, as it’s easy to cause pain or damage. If your Staffy needs their glands emptied regularly, ask your vet whether an underlying issue like allergies or diet could be playing a part.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is scooting always caused by anal glands?
No. Worms, skin allergies, irritation and even a bit of stuck poo or grass can all cause scooting. If it happens more than occasionally, have your vet take a look.
How often should a Staffy’s anal glands be emptied?
In most healthy dogs, never by hand. They empty naturally when your dog poos. If your Staffy needs regular help, talk to your vet about what might be causing it.
Can I express my Staffy’s anal glands at home?
Only if your vet has shown you how and says it’s appropriate. Done incorrectly, it can be painful and may cause damage or infection.
Why does my Staffy smell fishy when they get a fright?
A sudden scare can cause the glands to release fluid all at once. An occasional whiff is normal, but a constant fishy smell is worth getting checked.
A Little Extra Daily Support
Good food and good habits always come first. But if you’d like to give your Staffy some extra support, that’s exactly why we created Staffy Essentials. Alongside support for joints, skin, calm and teeth, every scoop includes four ingredients chosen to support healthy digestion and firm, regular stools:
- Pumpkin powder: a gentle, natural fibre that supports firm stools and natural anal gland emptying
- Psyllium husks: fibre that helps bulk up stools, so they put healthy pressure on the glands as they pass
- Apple pectin: soluble fibre that feeds the good bacteria in your Staffy’s gut
- Probiotics: support a balanced gut, which plays a role in both digestion and skin health
Simply mix it into your Staffy’s food once a day. It’s Australian made, with no artificial colours, flavours or added sugars. You can see the full ingredient list and serving guide at premiumpaws.com.au.
A Happier, More Comfortable Staffy
Our Staffies can’t tell us when something’s wrong, so it’s up to us to read the signs. A bit of scooting or a fishy smell might seem like a small thing, but it’s often the first clue that your dog is uncomfortable. By paying attention to their stools, keeping their diet consistent and supporting their digestion every day, you can help keep those problems at bay.
If you have any questions, I’m always happy to help. From our Staffy family to yours.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Scott Frew, founder of Staffy Essentials by Premium Paws. I’ve spent much of my life sharing my home with Staffies, starting with Jed, our first Staffy, who was with us for fifteen wonderful years. Every one of them has taught me patience, humour and what real loyalty looks like.
That lifelong love is the reason Premium Paws and Staffy Essentials exist. We didn’t start the company to make money. We started it to give back to the breed that’s given us everything.
If you’d like to go deeper, my book The Must-Have Guide to Owning a Staffordshire Bull Terrier covers everything from Staffy history and training to health, nutrition and caring for your senior Staffy.
Got a question, or an idea for a future post? I’d love to hear from you at scott@premiumpaws.com.au, or visit premiumpaws.com.au to see our full range.