Expressing cats anal sac

Excessive licking of the anal area and hind end : All cats normally clean themselves, the discomfort of anal gland inflammation or infection will cause cats to repeatedly interrupt their activities to lick themselves. Scooting : This behavior is typical when a cat is trying to ease itching in the rectal area. The cat sits on the ground and pulls their body forward with their front paws, so that their hindquarters "scoot" along the floor. Defecating outside of the litter box : While this is usually caused by the cat's objection to some aspect of their litter box, it can also indicate discomfort or constipation due to anal gland inflammation. Foul odor : A healthy cat should not have any unpleasant body odors.

Last Updated: April 7, Approved. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. This article has been viewed , times. These secretions are normal though they serve no purpose for domesticated cats , but cats with overly active anal glands can release a particularly malodorous scent and develop impactions and infections. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue.

Many mammals, including cats , have special glands called anal glands or sacs located around their rectum. These glands typically go unnoticed until a cat owner smells the secretions from the glands or there is an issue with them. Knowing the purpose of these glands, as well as the potential issues that they can develop, will help you keep your cat happy and healthy. Both male and female cats have two pea-sized anal glands located around their rectal openings.

That passion reaches outside our walls into every product we develop, every call and email we respond to, and the numerous animal welfare organizations that we support. As pet parents, we want to do everything we can to make sure our pets feel as comfortable and happy as possible. However, frequent anal gland expressions by a veterinarian or groomer can become pricy and inconvenient. While you should always consult your veterinarian if you have medical concerns for your pet, anal gland expressions can be performed at home with the proper instruction and knowledge!