For Daisy, the breakthrough came when they looked more closely at the ingredients she was eating and removed poultry from her diet.

After the change, Steve saw a significant difference in the problem that had been repeatedly affecting her.

Daisy’s experience doesn’t mean poultry causes anal gland problems in dogs. It means that a food that suits one dog perfectly may not suit another, and recurring digestive symptoms can sometimes be a useful clue.

What does diet have to do with anal glands?

A dog’s anal glands normally empty naturally when they pass a firm stool.

When stools are regularly soft or inconsistent, there may be less pressure on the glands during a bowel movement, which can make natural emptying less effective. This is one reason digestive problems and recurrent anal gland issues can sometimes appear together.

So when I look at a dog that keeps having anal gland problems, one of the first things I want to understand is:

What are their stools actually like?

If they’re frequently soft, loose or inconsistent, simply dealing with the glands may not address whatever is contributing to that digestive pattern.

For Daisy, the question became: what was she eating?

When you’re dealing with a possible food sensitivity, it isn’t necessarily about finding a universally “bad” ingredient.

It’s about finding the ingredients that your individual dog does well with.

Daisy was eating poultry regularly. Once that was removed and her diet was adjusted, Steve noticed the recurring problem settle.

The important point isn’t that every dog with anal gland trouble should immediately stop eating chicken.

It’s that if the same problem keeps returning, looking carefully at the diet can be more useful than randomly adding another supplement, treat or fibre source without knowing what you’re trying to change.

What should you look at if your dog keeps scooting?

Start with the basics.

Stool consistency. Are your dog’s stools usually firm, or are they regularly soft?

Protein sources. Is your dog eating chicken, beef or another protein every day across their food, treats and chews?

Treats and extras. Dental sticks, training treats and table scraps all count. Changing the main food while leaving everything else unchanged can make an elimination diet difficult to interpret.

Diet changes. Did the problem begin or become worse after changing food?

Other digestive signs. Gas, stomach noises, loose stools and frequent digestive upsets can provide more context.

The goal is not to remove foods at random. It’s to make changes systematically enough that you can actually learn from what happens.

Does adding fibre help anal gland problems?

Sometimes.

Fibre can help increase stool bulk and firmness, which may support natural emptying of the glands.

But I wouldn’t automatically assume that a lack of fibre is the entire problem.

If your dog is repeatedly producing poor stools because something in their diet doesn’t agree with them, simply adding fibre may leave the underlying dietary issue untouched.

That is why I prefer looking at the whole diet first.

Could a food sensitivity be involved?

Food sensitivities are individual.

One dog may eat poultry throughout their life without a problem. Another may simply do better without it.

If you suspect food may be involved, a structured elimination approach can help you work out which ingredients your dog tolerates best rather than constantly switching between foods and never knowing what actually made the difference.

That is the same process that ultimately helped Steve understand what appeared to be happening with Daisy.

The lesson from Daisy

Daisy’s story is really about looking past the symptom.

For years, the obvious problem was her anal glands.

But when Steve started looking at why the problem might keep returning, the diet became part of the investigation.

Removing poultry appeared to make a major difference for Daisy.

That doesn’t make it a universal solution. It does show why recurring problems can be worth approaching from the perspective of the individual dog rather than assuming every case needs exactly the same answer.

If you’re trying to work out which foods may or may not suit your dog, our Hypoallergenic Plan sets out a structured approach for simplifying the diet, testing ingredients and identifying what your dog tolerates best.

A quick note

Scooting isn’t always caused by diet or impacted anal glands. If your dog is painful, swollen, bleeding, has discharge, appears unwell or has a persistent problem, have them assessed by your vet.