Welcome to our "Ask Dr. Paola" series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our readers better understand their dog's health and well-being.

Whether you're a new pet parent or a seasoned dog lover, Dr. Paola is here to provide answers to your most pressing questions. From nutrition tips and preventive care to troubleshooting common behavioral issues, Dr. Paola is ready to offer insights that will keep your furry friend happy and healthy. Stay tuned for expert guidance on a range of topics that matter most to you and your dog, so you can make informed decisions and provide the best possible care for your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

Help! My Dogs Are Overweight!

“Dear Dr. Paola,
Both of my dogs are overweight. Tucker, our 10-year-old lab mix, has arthritis, and Mitch, our 7-year-old lab, is just overweight. What is the best diet dog food I can use for both? " - Lisa

Hello Lisa,

You are absolutely on the right track, focusing on diet, because for both Tucker and Mitch, nutrition is one of the most powerful tools you have. In overweight dogs, especially Labradors, excess fat is like carrying a heavy backpack all day. It places constant stress on the joints, worsens inflammation, and accelerates arthritis. The most effective approach is a calorie-controlled, high-protein weight management diet designed to reduce body fat while preserving muscle. These diets have reduced fat, increased fiber to help them feel full, and enough protein to support muscle during weight loss, which is essential for joint stability and mobility. Diets formulated for large breed weight management are particularly helpful because they balance lower calories with nutrients like glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids to support both satiety and joint health.

For Tucker, the arthritis adds another important layer. Diets enriched with omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA, help modulate joint inflammation and improve mobility over time. Dogs with osteoarthritis fed these diets show improved weight bearing and comfort, which translates into better daily movement and quality of life. On top of that, weight loss itself plays a key role in arthritis management, since reducing body weight decreases the load placed on joints and improves function.

In practical terms, choose a veterinary weight management formula that includes joint support nutrients, measure portions based on their ideal weight, and keep treats minimal. Feeding both dogs the same diet is perfectly appropriate as long as Tucker’s joint needs are supported. When the nutrition is right, their bodies can move more comfortably and efficiently, making each day easier for them.

Kind regards,

- Dr. Paola

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Help! My Dog Gets Itchy Anal Glands!

“Hi Dr. Paola,
My shorty Jack Russell Terrier gets anal glands that itch, which leads to a vet visit every 2-3 weeks. She’s 8 years old and has a healthy diet plus vitamins. I’ve tried Glandx, which doesn’t work. We tried pumpkin for more fiber, but still the same results. Any suggestions you may offer my girl? Thank you," - Stella

Hi Stella,

I can hear how frustrating this is, especially when you are already doing the right things. When anal glands are filling and causing irritation every couple of weeks, it usually means the issue is not just fiber, but how the glands are emptying or what is affecting the anal sac environment. In many dogs, especially smaller breeds like Jack Russell Terriers, the ducts can be narrow or inefficient, so even with good stool quality, they do not empty properly. On top of that, underlying inflammation from allergies, most commonly environmental or dietary, can increase gland secretions and make them thicker, almost like trying to squeeze toothpaste through a partially blocked tube.

Since fiber supplements and general diet adjustments have not helped, the next step is to look a bit deeper. A targeted diet trial using a hydrolyzed or novel protein veterinary diet for 6 to 8 weeks can help determine if food sensitivity is contributing, even in dogs that seem otherwise healthy. At the same time, your veterinarian may consider evaluating the gland contents for infection or abnormal cells, because chronic impaction can sometimes lead to low-grade infection that keeps the cycle going. Some dogs also benefit from adding specific types of fiber like psyllium rather than pumpkin, as it forms a more consistent stool that can apply better pressure to the glands during defecation.

If this pattern continues despite these steps, there are additional options that are very effective. Regularly scheduled expressions before discomfort starts can help break the cycle, and in recurrent cases, procedures like anal sac flushing or infusion with medication can reduce inflammation and recurrence. As a last resort, surgical removal is considered, but only when all medical options have been exhausted, since it carries its own risks. In a situation like this, a complete review of her full history and fine-tuning the plan is important, so you are not just reacting every few weeks but actually getting ahead of the problem.

I hope this helps!

- Dr. Paola