While scooting dogs get the most attention for anal-gland problems, your cat can experience anal gland impaction, too.
Signs your cat may be having trouble with her anal glands include:
- Persistent scooting
- Compulsive licking of anal area
- Red and/or swollen anus
- Painful defecation
Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be a crisis, as it can be with dogs. “Cats don’t seem to have many surgical issues back there,” says Dr. James Flanders. While Dr. Flanders has performed many anal sac surgeries on dogs, he recalls just one feline anal sac procedure over the course of his career. While surgery may not be required, it doesn’t mean your cat’s anal glands can’t become problematic.
What Are Anal Glands?
The anal glands, or anal “sacs,” are two little glands on either side of the anus. They sit at approximately the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions if the anus were a clock face, and produce a funky, smelly, greasy material. Cats will sometimes express their anal glands to mark their territory or fend off approaching aggressors. You may smell the classic, hard-to-describe musky anal gland odor if your cat is startled or scared of something.
Because of their anatomic location, every time a cat has a healthy bowel movement, some of the secretions of the anal glands are squeezed out. This keeps the glands from becoming overly full and uncomfortable, as does the fastidious grooming behavior of cats.
When Things Go Wrong
Anal gland secretions in cats can sometimes become dry and hard, resulting in anal gland impaction. This can be uncomfortable for your cat and sometimes leads to infection. If an abscess forms in the gland due to this infection, the gland swells and often breaks open through the overlying skin.
Treatment may involve manual expression of the anal glands, flushing the anal glands and instilling medicated ointment, and/or oral antibiotics and medication for pain and inflammation.
You may be directed to warm compress the area several times a day to encourage drainage and improve comfort. Adding fiber to the diet may be suggested to bulk-up bowel movements.
Causes of Anal Gland Problems
Obesity is a problem. If your cat is overweight, the glands become surrounded by soft fat stores, so they may not empty properly with the pressure of a passing bowel movement. Additionally, some overweight cats can’t reach their back ends to groom, predisposing to potential impaction. If your overweight cat is having repeated anal gland issues, it’s time to get her on a weight-loss program. Your veterinarian can help you with this because it’s challenging to put a cat on a “diet.” Importantly, cats who lose weight too quickly may experience a condition called hepatic lipidosis, which can be very serious and even life-threatening.
Allergies can contribute to anal gland problems. The inflammation caused by allergies can extend to the anal glands as well. Your veterinarian may recommend a hypoallergenic diet and/or medications to help manage your cat’s allergies.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may cause issues. It is not unusual for cats with chronic diarrhea to have overly full, uncomfortable anal glands, as their loose stool does not put enough pressure on the glands to promote their regular emptying. Working with your veterinarian to get your cat’s IBD under control will usually result in fewer anal gland problems.
It’s All About Healthy Living
While anal gland impaction is not common in cats, it is important to be aware of their potential to become a source of discomfort for your cat. To encourage and promote good anal gland health, don’t let your cat become overweight, watch their grooming and litterbox behaviors carefully, and feed a healthy, nutritious diet that has a label on the food stating that it meets the nutritional standards from the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Regular veterinary examinations are also important in assuring normal anal gland function in cats.
Dr. James Flanders is Emeritus Associate Professor, Section of Small Animal Surgery at Cornell University’s School of Veterinary Medicine.
