Hi Melissa,
I would definitely consider a food change. Your dog may very well be having a reaction to an ingredient in his food. My Golden has numerous food intolerances and when his anal gland begin to smell strong, that’s usually my first sign that he’s eaten a problem ingredient. A quick switch to one of his safe foods, thereby eliminating the offending ingredient, has always solved the problem. He’s never had to have his anal gland expressed.
I would switch your pup to a limited ingredient food. Choose a simple recipe with a protein, and preferably a binder, that he hasn’t eaten before. Keep track of the ingredients you feed him and soon you’ll begin to see common ingredient and the specific reaction that results. My favorite limited ingredient diet is Nature’s Variety Instinct Limited Ingredient Diets.
It could also be a fiber issue. He may be needing more bulk in his diet. You could try adding some plain, canned pumpkin puree, Fruitables Digestive Supplement or some Firm Up dehydrated pumpkin.
To be safe, I’d switch foods and keep pumpkin on hand in case he develops loose stool.
