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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Cats have two anal sacs (often called anal glands) beside the anus. In a healthy cat they empty on their own during bowel movements, and you never think about them. Problems are much less common in cats than in dogs. When they do happen, impaction is the most common form. Infection, abscess and, less often, tumors can also occur.
The key point for owners is that scooting or licking under the tail does not prove the glands are the cause, and it does not mean they need to be “expressed.” Swelling, drainage, pain or loss of appetite means a prompt vet visit, not home treatment.
What anal glands are and what they do
The sacs sit on either side of the anus and make a small amount of dark, foul-smelling secretion. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual’s owner reference (Stanley I. Rubin, DVM, University of Illinois; last updated September 2024), this fluid is normally squeezed out during defecation. The pressure of a normal stool does the emptying, so most cats need no help.
Veterinary references describe sac disease in cats as “much less common” or infrequent compared with dogs. No reliable prevalence figure for cats appears in the references reviewed, so avoid applying dog statistics to your cat.
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What can go wrong
Impaction
The sac does not empty normally, and its contents can turn thick or dry. This is the most common feline form.
Infection and abscess
Inflammation or infection can follow obstruction. An abscess forms a hot, painful swelling beside the anus and can rupture through the skin, leaving an open, draining wound. VCA warns that untreated infection can spread and damage the surrounding tissue.
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- VET-FORMULATED DOG WIPES THAT CLEAN & DEODORIZE FISHY ANAL GLAND ODOR: For dogs and cats that scoot, drag, or come home with post-walk butt mess. DeoPlex enzyme eliminates fishy odor at the molecular level, with Aloe and Vitamin E to soothe the skin.
- HELPS DOGS BOOT THE SCOOT & EASES POST-EXPRESSION CLEANUP: Paper towels and baby wipes only mask the smell. DeoPlex enzyme breaks down anal gland secretions at the molecular level, so the fishy odor is gone, not covered. Use after a scoot or the vet.
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- SAFE DAILY HYGIENE FOR PUPPIES, KITTENS, SENIORS & GLAND-PRONE BREEDS: Gentle for every pet in the home, including French Bulldogs, Pugs, Cocker Spaniels, and Chihuahuas prone to anal gland trouble. Groomer-recommended, soft, non-toxic, made in the USA.
- THE ORIGINAL ANAL GLAND BRAND, THE COMPLETE GLANDEX ROUTINE: From vets, trusted by 125,000 worldwide. For frequent scooting, pair with Glandex Anal Gland Soft Chews so glands empty naturally, plus Glandex Anal Gland Spray for irritation around the gland.
Tumors
Cancer of the anal sac is less common but important, especially in an older cat with a persistent mass or signs that look like infection. This is one reason a vet should examine any lump or sore that does not resolve.
Signs to watch for
- Scooting or dragging the rear along the floor
- Repeated licking, chewing or biting near the anus or tail base
- Pain, straining or reluctance when using the litter box
- Swelling or hard lumps beside the anus
- A draining, bloody or pus-like sore
- Hair loss around the tail base or belly from excessive grooming
Each of these can have other causes, so none of them confirms an anal sac problem. Examination is how the cause is sorted out.
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When it is urgent
Call your vet promptly, and treat it as urgent, if you see any of these:
- A painful swelling beside the anus
- Pus or blood draining from the area
- Marked pain
- Refusing food
- Being unable to get comfortable
PetMD advises immediate veterinary care in these situations. Do not squeeze the area, try to lance a swelling, or put creams or other products on an open wound unless your vet has told you to. PetMD specifically cautions against using products on open wounds without veterinary advice.
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How a vet diagnoses it
The vet starts with inspection and a physical exam, usually including a rectal exam to feel the sacs. Further steps depend on what is found:
- If infection is suspected, discharge may be examined under a microscope or cultured to guide treatment choice.
- If a sac is firm and enlarged and cannot be emptied, or a mass is suspected, imaging and biopsy may be used to look for a tumor.
- Because other conditions cause similar discomfort or straining, the vet will also consider non-sac causes.
How the diagnosis shapes treatment
| Finding | What the vet may do |
|---|---|
| Impaction | Empty and flush the sac; use a softening agent or saline if the contents are too hard or dry |
| Infection | Local or systemic antimicrobials plus pain relief; culture if needed |
| Abscess, intact or ruptured | Drainage, wound care, antimicrobials, pain control, and follow-up checks |
| Recurrent or unresolved disease | Look for underlying causes; consider surgical removal |
| Suspected tumor | Imaging, biopsy or other work-up; surgery is often considered |
Some of these procedures hurt, so sedation may be needed. A cone can help if your vet wants to keep your cat from licking or chewing a draining wound, but it prevents interference and does not treat the disease.
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Diet and fiber
Merck notes that supplemental fiber may be recommended to add fecal bulk and help the sacs empty. PetMD mentions examples such as Hill’s Gastrointestinal Biome and Royal Canin Fiber Response, and a supplement called Glandex for Cats. The sources do not show that any specific product prevents or cures sac disease in every cat. Ask your vet before changing food or adding a supplement, especially if your cat has other health issues.
Recurrence and surgery
VCA says recurrence in cats is uncommon but possible. It links repeated problems with obesity, chronic diarrhea or constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, and abnormal anatomy or nerve function. Finding and managing the underlying condition matters, and some cats with recurring trouble may benefit from scheduled professional expression. That does not mean healthy cats need routine expression.
Surgery to remove the sacs is generally reserved for disease that does not respond to treatment, keeps returning, or involves a tumor. The sacs lie close to nerves that control the anal sphincter, so fecal incontinence is a recognized risk. Merck calls it a common complication that is usually temporary. VCA says it usually resolves within days to weeks but can rarely be permanent. Weigh this with your vet against your cat’s specific findings.
What owners can do
- Note when scooting or licking started, and whether stools are hard, loose or painful.
- Do not assume the glands are full. Have your vet check before anyone expresses them.
- Keep your cat at a healthy weight and manage chronic stool or allergy problems with your vet.
- Book a recheck if a swelling, sore or lump does not heal as expected, particularly in an older cat.
This guidance draws on US-based veterinary sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (owner reference, September 2024; professional reference, August 2025), VCA (updated May 26, 2025), and PetMD (reviewed by Melissa Boldan, DVM). It is general information. Your local veterinarian directs your cat’s care.
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