How often should a dog's anal glands be expressed?

Honest answer: there's no set schedule, and for plenty of dogs the answer is never, at least not by you. A healthy dog with firm poos usually empties their own glands naturally every time they go, and you can happily leave well alone. Expressing glands that don't need it can actually cause irritation, so more isn't better here.

Some dogs just don't empty properly and need a hand. If your dog is prone to blocked or impacted glands, your vet or groomer might do it every few weeks to a couple of months. The right frequency is however often your particular dog needs it, which is something to sort out with your vet rather than a number off the internet.

Let your dog's signs set the pace. Regular scooting, licking, a fishy smell or swelling means the glands probably need attention. No signs, and you can leave them be.

If your dog needs frequent expressing, ask your vet why, because you usually want to treat the cause, not just keep emptying the glands. Firmer stools help a lot, and that mostly comes down to diet and fibre. Happy Hour is a complete NZ-made food that includes added prebiotics and fibre, so a well-fibred diet like that may help support healthy, regular stools for some dogs. Either way, your vet's the one to guide it.