Offering treats as a distraction will help as well. If your cat is experiencing anal gland problems or any other health issues you should seek a medical exam from your veterinarian. Thank you for the article. Additional Information. If your pet is already having problems, first speak to your veterinarian to figure out the cause.

Feeding your kitty a high fiber diet can bulk up his stool, ensuring that the sacs are emptied during defecation, recommends PetWave. The pain of the glands can cause him to eliminate outside of his litter box. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain. Impacted anal glands require veterinary care to empty them and deal with any infections that may have developed because of them. Locate the anal glands on either side of the anal opening. I have 4 female, fixed, indoor cats and none had ever shown any odd signs of trouble. This can help soften very hard material if present.

Anal or peri anal glands are actually a way of communication between cats, since the characteristic smell that they secrete gives other cats information on the cat's identity. The anal gland liquid may spray or just drip out creating a very bad odor. In some cases, the practitioner will also manually express the contents of the anal gland contents. Or, in less common cases, he may scoot or drag his behind on the carpet. Both male and female cats have two pea-sized anal glands located around their rectal openings.

The anal sacs themselves are not involved. Our staff veterinarian will review your question and respond back to you. Bartonella is a type bacteria that can be transmitted to cats, dogs and humans from exposure to infected fleas and…. There have been some anecdotal reports that changing a pets diet to one that is high in fiber may help the anal sacs express on their own with normal bowel movements. If your pet is already having problems, first speak to your veterinarian to figure out the cause.