HOW TO TELL IF CAT NEEDS GLANDS EXPRESSED

We love that our cats are relatively independent creatures; it’s one of the things that gives them such unique personalities.

But, whether they want it or not, sometimes they need our help. When they’re ill, for example, human intervention is crucial to getting them on the road to recovery.

Of course, besides the odd flea infestation, illness in cats is rare, but one particularly unpleasant kitty ailment you may run into down the line is a clogging of the anal glands.

Thankfully, though, it’s pretty clear when our furry children are having this issue.

Even though cats aren’t quite as transparent with their illness as dogs, there will be some pretty clear signs that something’s not right and that their glands may need to be expressed.

​Here’s what you should be looking for.
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SYMPTOMS OF FELINE ANAL GLAND ISSUES

Cats often display idiosyncratic, sometimes hilariously silly behavior, especially if they’ve come down with a severe bout of the zoomies, but if you ever notice any of the following behaviors or symptoms, it’s time to be concerned.

Scooting

We often associate this behavior with dogs, and truth be told, cat owners can go their entire lives without witnessing one of their feline friends scooting, which is why it should be taken seriously when it does happen.

For the uninitiated, scooting is when a cat or a dog drags their bum along the ground by splaying out their hind legs and using the front legs to pull themselves forward. It’s a silly pose, but in many cases, it’s no laughing matter.

It’s a sign that your cat has an extraordinary itchy anus — Sort of like when a bear rubs its back against a tree, but in this scenario, the itch is localized to the bum.

The reason your cat’s anus is so itchy all of a sudden is that their anal glands are blocked.

Obsessive Licking Of The Anus

To reduce irritation, your cat may also lick their anus furiously.

Now, we all know that cats lick their nether regions on a daily basis as a part of their normal grooming regime, but if they seem to be focusing on that area more than ever, consider it a red flag.

If this is the case, keep observing your cat. If they engage in other activities only to wind up licking their rear end again, it’s a sign that whatever’s going on down there has grown severe enough to become a major distraction.

Bad Smells

Cat toots can be toxic, but - praise be - cats tend to be rather polite with their gas, expressing it elsewhere, so a bad-smelling cat is something of a rarity.

In fact, almost any time a cat has a lingering foul odor, it’s typically a sign that they’ve been somewhere that shouldn’t or that there’s a health issue going unnoticed.

Swollen, blocked, or infected glands are just one of the possible causes of a smelly cat.

Missing The Litter Box

Most cats miss the mark every now and again, and, to be fair, it’s usually because they object to some aspect of their litter tray.

Perhaps you’re trying out new litter that the cat doesn’t feel comfortable with, maybe it’s already quite full of cat poops and peeps, or maybe the litter box is too close to a noisy appliance, like a tumble dryer.

But if everything seems A-okay with their toilet tray, it’s time to consider the possibility of gland issues, especially if their defecating outside their litter box coincides with any of the other symptoms on this list.

Sore Or Swollen Anal Glands

Cats aren’t shy of showing off their bums, so, much to our chagrin, we often get a good look at what’s going on back there.

​Should you notice any peculiarities on either side of the rectum, i.e. redness or swelling, it’s a dead giveaway that something’s up with their anal glands and that the glands might need expressing in the near future.

Where are the anal glands of a cat, you ask? Well, if we imagine that your cat’s bum is a clock face, you can expect the glands to rest at about 4 and 8, so just to the side and down of center.

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WHAT ARE CAT ANAL GLANDS FOR?

Cat anal glands serve one duty, to express a stinky, milky liquid during defecation that marks out the territory of the pooping party, letting all other fluffy poopers know that this area is strictly out of bounds.

However, these glands can become overfull with glandular fluid, and much like pores in human skin, blocked by gunk and swelling. Consequently, the fluid can’t get out, and the glands become impacted, often causing constipation.

If the problem persists, bacteria quickly builds in and around the glands, leading to infection, which is when things get very, very itchy for our feline family members, and we’ll begin noticing one or more of the aforementioned symptoms.

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WHAT’S THE INITIAL CAUSE OF CAT ANAL GLAND ISSUES?

If there’s an addressable cause, remedying it can sometimes alleviate the issue without the need for manual expression.

​Your veterinarian may also prescribe your cat pain relievers to help them cope while the glands recover, or antibiotics to speed the process along.

However, it’s quite possible that the only solution will be regular manual expression of the glands.
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​How Are Anal Gland Issues Treated?

If there’s an addressable cause, remedying it can sometimes alleviate the issue without the need for manual expression.

​Your veterinarian may also prescribe your cat pain relievers to help them cope while the glands recover, or antibiotics to speed the process along.

However, it’s quite possible that the only solution will be regular manual expression of the glands.
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FINAL THOUGHTS

If you notice any of the red flags discussed in this post, I’d recommend booking an appointment with your veterinarian immediately, as the issue is unlikely to resolve itself, and will get progressively worse, leaving your fluffy child irritable and in pain — Healthy bum, happy cat!
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