{"id":1844,"date":"2022-01-04T17:43:09","date_gmt":"2022-01-04T17:43:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/blog\/?p=1844"},"modified":"2022-01-04T17:43:09","modified_gmt":"2022-01-04T17:43:09","slug":"a-closer-look-at-anal-gland-problems-in-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/blog\/a-closer-look-at-anal-gland-problems-in-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"A Closer Look at Anal Gland Problems in Cats"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/iStock-1340495770.jpg\" alt=\"Cat grooming itself.\" class=\"wp-image-1845\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/iStock-1340495770.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/iStock-1340495770-1500x1001.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/iStock-1340495770-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/iStock-1340495770-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Cats are meticulous self-groomers. In fact, many of their waking hours are spent tending to the way they look, feel, and smell. That\u2019s why it might surprise some to learn that cats can develop a tell-tale fishy smell. However, owners that frequently deal with anal gland problems in cats are all too familiar with the associated characteristics.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to Know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although you might not realize it until you have to deal with it, anal gland problems are relatively common in cats.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Located exactly where their name suggests, feline anal glands are responsible for producing a dark, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/blog\/2021\/06\/why-your-old-dog-smells-bad-and-other-mysteries-of-pet-ownership\/\">strong-smelling fluid<\/a>. Primarily used when a cat marks their territory, anal glands are also expressed during a firm bowel movement. If they have diarrhea or softer stools, their anal glands might not fully express, which could lead to anal gland problems in cats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When they become clogged, a cat might experience sudden discomfort, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/blog\/2021\/05\/scaredy-cat-feline-anxiety-and-related-issues\/\">anxiety<\/a>, or stress. Constipation can stem from impacted or clogged anal glands. Other anal gland problems in cats can include infections and abscesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to Look For<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Anal gland problems in cats can initially cause excessive licking of the rear end, but can lead to butt-scooting on the rug or upholstery. Because they may experience severe itching and tenderness, cats may also behave in ways never observed before, such as biting, chasing their tail, or straining during defecation. You might see signs of swelling in and around the anus, and heightened sensitivity to touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Anal Expression<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Did you know <a href=\"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/veterinary-services\/spa-services.html\">our groomers<\/a> are proficient at expressing anal glands? An important aspect of most canine grooming appointments, anal gland problems in cats can be quickly solved by our skilled professionals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you think your cat needs medical attention for impacted or infected anal glands, please <a href=\"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/forms\/new-client.html\">schedule an appointment<\/a>. We may need to rinse out the anal glands or prescribe <a href=\"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/veterinary-services\/pain-management.html\">pain relief medications<\/a> or antiobiotics to battle bacterial infection.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Anal Gland Problems in Cats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Adding a bit of fiber to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/blog\/2021\/07\/whats-better-scheduled-meals-or-free-feeding\/\">cat\u2019s diet<\/a> can help firm up their bowel movements. This is necessary to create pressure on the anal glands during defecation. We can help you determine if any changes to your cat\u2019s diet are needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Seen as a last possible resort, anal glands can be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/veterinary-services\/surgery.html\">surgically removed<\/a> if a cat\u2019s quality of life is being compromised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If we can assist you with any questions or concerns related to anal gland problems in cats, we are always here for you at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/\">Animal Medical Hospital &amp; Urgent Care<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cats are meticulous self-groomers. In fact, many of their waking hours are spent tending to the way they look, feel, and smell. That\u2019s why it might surprise some to learn that cats can develop a tell-tale fishy smell. However, owners that frequently deal with anal gland problems in cats are all too familiar with the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,31,41],"tags":[120,123,135],"class_list":["post-1844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pet-grooming-style","category-pet-health-wellness","category-cats-meow","tag-cat-grooming","tag-cat-health","tag-cat-wellness"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A Closer Look at Anal Gland Problems in Cats - Animal Medical Hospital &amp; Urgent Care<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Although you might not realize it until you havet to deal with it, anal gland problems are relatively common in cats.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/blog\/a-closer-look-at-anal-gland-problems-in-cats\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A Closer Look at Anal Gland Problems in Cats - Animal Medical Hospital &amp; Urgent Care\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Although you might not realize it until you havet to deal with it, anal gland problems are relatively common in cats.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/blog\/a-closer-look-at-anal-gland-problems-in-cats\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Animal Medical Hospital &amp; Urgent Care\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-01-04T17:43:09+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/iStock-1340495770.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Animal Medical Hospital &amp; Urgent Care\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Animal Medical Hospital &amp; Urgent Care\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.animalmedical.net\\\/blog\\\/a-closer-look-at-anal-gland-problems-in-cats\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.animalmedical.net\\\/blog\\\/a-closer-look-at-anal-gland-problems-in-cats\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Animal Medical Hospital &amp; 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