DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
Why some dogs need their anal glands emptied so often, and what it costs
For most dogs the anal glands look after themselves and you never think about them. A minority need them emptied over and over, and those owners end up paying for the same small job on repeat. The single fee is rarely the issue, it is the frequency. Understanding why it keeps happening is the key to spending less, so the real prices below are only half the story.
The quick version
- Small breeds, overweight dogs and those with soft stools are the most frequent repeat visitors.
- Each individual expression is cheap, but book it every four to six weeks for a year and the total stops looking trivial.
- Allergies and skin problems often sit behind chronic gland trouble, so treating the cause can end the cycle rather than just managing it.
- A price list at every practice from September 2026 makes it easier to shop around for recurring care, so use it before committing to one clinic for repeat visits.
- Corporate-owned practices charged 18.3% more on average than independents, according to the Competition and Markets Authority, which matters most on a job you pay for again and again.
- If you are told the glands need doing just in case with no sign of a problem, ask for evidence before paying for it.
Published and surveyed prices
Where these 11 prices come from — 8 named sources
- craigrobinson-vets.co.uk
- arunvetgroup.co.uk
- hillparkvets.co.uk
- livewellvets.co.uk
- highfieldsvets.com
- stannesvets.co.uk
- aasvets.co.uk
- caldervets.co.uk
Each is a published price list, an official survey, or a receipt/quote a reader shared. The full per-price list with year and area is on the anal glands page.
Why the price varies so much
How often a dog needs the job done depends on the dog, not the vet, but what you pay for each visit depends heavily on the clinic. Firm stools press on the glands and empty them naturally, so anything that softens the stool, such as a poor diet or an ongoing allergy, means they fill up instead and need help. Weight plays a part too, since extra fat around the area stops the glands draining properly. Breed and build matter as well, with smaller dogs generally more prone to trouble than larger ones. On the cost side, ownership is the biggest variable. The Competition and Markets Authority found that corporate-owned practices charged 18.3% more on average than independents, and that vet prices overall rose 63% between 2016 and 2023. For a one-off treatment that difference might not sway you, but for a job you could be paying for every month, it adds up fast. Location plays a part too: a practice in an expensive area has higher overheads to cover, and that gets passed on in the price of even a routine five-minute job.
How to pay less
- Ask the vet to investigate why it keeps happening rather than just booking the next expression. A one-off consultation fee can save you months of repeat charges.
- Get your dog to a healthy weight, which often reduces how often the glands block on their own.
- Try a vet-recommended higher-fibre diet to firm up the stools and let the glands empty naturally instead of needing a manual squeeze.
- Ask whether a nurse-led clinic covers the expression rather than a full vet appointment, since nurse time is usually billed at a lower rate.
- Where the glands cause repeated misery, ask about the pros, cons and cost of removing them permanently, and weigh that one-off cost against years of routine visits.
- Compare prices across practices in your area using the real figures on this page rather than assuming your usual vet is competitive on a job you need over and over.
Common questions
Why does my dog need its glands done every month?
Frequent blockage usually points to something underneath, such as soft stools, extra weight or an allergy. Once you treat the underlying cause, many dogs need the job far less often, which cuts the running cost. If your vet has never asked about diet or weight before booking the next expression, that is worth raising.
Do cats need anal gland expression too?
Cats have anal glands as well, but problems are much rarer than in dogs. When a cat does need it done, expect a similar routine fee to a dog, with more if sedation is required for a fractious cat.
Can surgery stop the problem for good?
In severe, repeated cases a vet may suggest removing the glands. It is a bigger, one-off surgical cost rather than a routine fee, and it carries some risk, so it is usually a last resort after other options fail. Ask your vet to set out the one-off cost against what you are currently paying over a year of repeat visits.
Is it worth learning to do it myself at home?
Some owners are shown how to do it, which removes the recurring fee, but it is easy to get wrong, cause discomfort, or miss a sign of infection that a vet would catch. If your dog needs it done often, ask your vet whether they would talk you through it, and weigh that against the value of a professional check each time.
Does pet insurance cover repeat gland expressions?
Routine, uncomplicated expressions are usually treated as preventative care and excluded from insurance, so most owners pay out of pocket for these. If the glands become infected or impacted and need treatment beyond a simple squeeze, that element may be claimable, so check your policy wording and keep the receipts.
Should I ask for a price before every visit or agree a plan?
Some practices offer a fixed-price package for regular nurse visits, which can work out cheaper than paying the standard fee each time. Ask directly whether one exists, since it is not always advertised, and compare the annual cost against paying per visit at the prices shown on this page.