Last updated: April 9, 2026

How to Express Cat Anal Glands: When It’s Needed and How to Do It Safely

Anal glands aren’t the most glamorous topic in cat care, but they’re an important part of your cat’s anatomy that can cause significant discomfort when problems arise. While most cats never need their anal glands expressed manually — they empty naturally during bowel movements — some cats develop issues that require intervention. Knowing the signs of anal gland problems and understanding your options for treatment can save your cat from unnecessary pain and prevent minor issues from becoming serious infections.

This guide covers everything you need to know about cat anal glands, from recognizing the signs of trouble to understanding when home expression is appropriate and when it’s time to call the veterinarian.

What Are Anal Glands and What Do They Do?

Anal glands, also called anal sacs, are two small pouches located just inside the anus at roughly the four o’clock and eight o’clock positions. Each gland produces a pungent, oily liquid that contains a unique chemical signature — essentially your cat’s personal scent ID card.

In wild and feral cats, anal gland secretions serve several purposes. They mark territory — a small amount of fluid is deposited on feces during defecation, leaving scent information for other cats. They communicate identity and status to other cats in the area. They can also serve as a defense mechanism, as cats can express their anal glands voluntarily when frightened, releasing a powerful, unpleasant odor. This is similar to the defense mechanism of skunks, though on a much smaller scale.

For indoor domestic cats, these glands are largely vestigial — a leftover from their wild ancestors. The glands still produce fluid, and in most cats, that fluid is expressed naturally every time the cat has a firm bowel movement. The pressure of stool passing through the rectum compresses the glands and squeezes out a small amount of secretion. It’s a self-maintaining system that most cat owners never have to think about.

Problems arise when the glands don’t empty properly on their own. The fluid builds up, thickens, and the glands become impacted — swollen, uncomfortable, and prone to infection or even rupture.

Signs Your Cat May Have Anal Gland Problems

Cats are subtle communicators, and anal gland discomfort often shows up as behavioral changes rather than obvious symptoms. Watch for these signs.

Scooting. If your cat is dragging their bottom across the floor or carpet, this is one of the most recognizable signs of anal gland discomfort. The scooting behavior is an attempt to relieve the pressure and itching caused by full or impacted glands. While scooting is more commonly discussed in dogs, cats do it too, and it should always be investigated.

Excessive licking of the anal area. Cats who are constantly grooming under their tail, especially if they’re focusing on the area right around the anus, may be trying to soothe irritated or full anal glands. Some cats will also bite or chew at the base of their tail.

A foul smell. Anal gland secretions have a very distinctive, fishy, metallic odor that’s quite strong and unpleasant. If your cat is leaving this smell on surfaces where they sit, or if you notice a sudden foul odor when your cat is nearby, their anal glands may be leaking or overfull.

Straining to defecate. Swollen anal glands can make bowel movements uncomfortable, causing your cat to strain, vocalize during defecation, or avoid the litter box. This can be confused with constipation, and in fact, constipation can be both a cause and a consequence of anal gland problems.

Changes in stool. If you notice unusual changes in your cat’s stool color or consistency, this may be related to anal gland issues, particularly if you also see discharge near the anus. Soft stools or chronic diarrhea are actually a common contributing factor to anal gland impaction because loose stool doesn’t create enough pressure to express the glands naturally.

Swelling or redness near the anus. Visible swelling on one or both sides of the anus indicates glands that are significantly impacted or possibly infected. An abscess may appear as a hot, painful, reddish-purple swelling that can eventually rupture through the skin, creating an open wound.

Pain when sitting or being touched near the tail. If your cat flinches, hisses, or tries to bite when you touch the area near the base of the tail, this suggests significant discomfort that may be related to the anal glands.

Why Do Some Cats Develop Anal Gland Problems?

Several factors can predispose a cat to anal gland issues. Understanding the underlying causes helps you prevent recurrence after treatment.

Soft or loose stools. Firm stool is the natural mechanism for expressing the anal glands. Cats with chronic soft stools, whether from diet, inflammatory bowel disease, food intolerances, or parasites, don’t get adequate gland expression during defecation. This is the single most common cause of anal gland impaction in cats.

Obesity. Overweight cats may have difficulty fully expressing their anal glands because of changes in the anatomy of the perianal area. The excess tissue can alter the position of the glands relative to the rectum, reducing the effectiveness of natural expression.

Anatomical variations. Some cats are simply born with anal gland ducts that are narrower than average, glands that are positioned slightly differently, or glands that produce thicker-than-normal secretions. These cats may need periodic manual expression throughout their lives regardless of diet and stool quality.

Allergies and inflammatory conditions. Allergies — both food and environmental — can cause inflammation in the perianal area, leading to swelling of the anal gland ducts and impaired drainage. Inflammatory bowel disease can also contribute.

Inactivity. Sedentary cats may be more prone to anal gland issues, as movement and muscle tone in the hindquarters contribute to normal gland function.

Some cats also develop anal gland problems secondary to other conditions. Though that resource focuses on dogs, many of the underlying mechanisms — impaction, infection, and abscess formation — are the same in cats.

When to Express at Home vs. When to See the Vet

This is a critical distinction. Not all anal gland situations are appropriate for home management.

See the veterinarian if: This is your cat’s first episode of anal gland problems and you want a proper diagnosis. Also seek veterinary care if there is visible swelling, redness, or warmth near the anus, which may indicate infection or abscess. If your cat is in significant pain and won’t tolerate handling of the area, a vet visit is necessary. Any discharge that is bloody, greenish, or very thick requires professional evaluation. Recurring problems that happen frequently despite dietary and lifestyle changes should also be assessed by a professional. If the gland has ruptured, creating an open wound near the anus, this is a veterinary emergency.

Home expression may be appropriate if: Your veterinarian has previously taught you the technique and confirmed it’s appropriate for your cat. Your cat has a history of simple impaction without infection. Your cat tolerates handling of the area without significant distress. You’re comfortable with the procedure and your cat is cooperative.

If you’ve never expressed a cat’s anal glands before, the first time should always be demonstrated by your veterinarian or a veterinary technician. They can show you the correct positioning, the amount of pressure needed, and what normal versus abnormal gland contents look like.

How to Express Cat Anal Glands: Step-by-Step

If your veterinarian has given you the go-ahead for home expression, here’s the technique. Be prepared — this is not a pleasant process for anyone involved, and the smell is memorable.

Gather supplies. You’ll need disposable gloves (latex or nitrile), lubricant (water-based lubricant or petroleum jelly), paper towels or gauze, warm water and a washcloth for cleanup, and treats for your cat afterward. A helper to hold your cat is strongly recommended.

Position your cat. Have your helper hold your cat gently but securely on a stable surface. Some cats do best wrapped in a towel with just the hindquarters exposed. Lift the tail gently straight up to expose the anal area.

Locate the glands. Put on your gloves and apply a small amount of lubricant to your index finger and thumb. The anal glands are located at approximately the four o’clock and eight o’clock positions relative to the anus. You may be able to feel them as small, firm, grape-sized (or smaller) lumps just beneath the skin on either side of the anus.

External expression technique. Place your gloved thumb and index finger on either side of the anus, at the four and eight o’clock positions. Apply gentle, steady pressure inward and upward, as if you’re trying to squeeze toward the opening of the anus. Use a milking motion rather than a hard squeeze. Hold a paper towel or gauze pad over the area to catch the expressed fluid, which may come out as a spray.

Normal anal gland secretion is a thin, brownish, oily liquid with a strong fishy odor. If the material is very thick and paste-like, extremely dark or bloody, green or yellowish (suggesting infection), or if you can’t express the glands with gentle pressure, stop and schedule a veterinary visit. Forcing impacted or infected glands can cause them to rupture internally, creating a much more serious problem.

Clean up. Wipe the area gently with a warm, damp washcloth. Offer your cat treats and praise. Dispose of all materials and wash your hands thoroughly.

How often to express. The frequency depends on your individual cat. Some cats with chronic issues need expression every four to six weeks, while others may only need it a few times a year. Your veterinarian can help you determine the right schedule based on how quickly your cat’s glands fill.

Preventing Anal Gland Problems

The best approach to anal gland issues is prevention. Several strategies can help keep your cat’s glands functioning normally.

Maintain firm stool consistency. Since firm stools are the body’s natural mechanism for expressing the anal glands, ensuring your cat has healthy, well-formed bowel movements is the single most effective preventive measure. Feed a high-quality diet with adequate fiber, ensure good hydration, and work with your veterinarian to address any chronic digestive issues.

Add fiber to the diet. A small amount of added fiber can help bulk up stools for better natural gland expression. Canned plain pumpkin (not pie filling), psyllium husk powder, or a veterinary fiber supplement can be mixed into your cat’s food. Start with small amounts — about a quarter teaspoon per meal — and adjust based on stool quality. Too much fiber can cause the opposite problem and lead to constipation.

Maintain a healthy weight. If your cat is overweight, working with your veterinarian on a safe weight loss plan can improve anal gland function along with many other aspects of your cat’s health.

Encourage activity. Regular play and exercise promote healthy muscle tone in the hindquarters and support normal bowel and gland function. Interactive play sessions, climbing structures, and food puzzles all encourage movement.

Monitor stool quality. Get in the habit of glancing at your cat’s litter box during daily scooping. Consistently soft, loose, or poorly formed stools warrant a dietary adjustment or veterinary evaluation before anal gland problems develop.

Complications to Watch For

Untreated anal gland impaction can progress to more serious conditions. Knowing these complications helps you respond quickly.

Anal gland infection (sacculitis). Impacted glands provide a warm, moist environment where bacteria thrive. Infected glands are more painful, produce discolored or foul-smelling discharge, and may cause your cat to become lethargic or feverish. Infected glands require veterinary treatment with antibiotics, and the glands often need to be flushed and treated with medicated infusions.

Anal gland abscess. An untreated infection can progress to an abscess — a walled-off pocket of pus that grows increasingly painful and eventually ruptures through the skin near the anus. A ruptured abscess is actually less dangerous than an intact one because the pressure and trapped infection are released, but it creates an open wound that requires veterinary treatment, including cleaning, antibiotics, and sometimes surgical drainage.

Anal gland tumors. Though rare, tumors can develop in the anal glands. Any persistent, firm swelling near the anus that doesn’t resolve with expression should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Anal gland adenocarcinoma is an aggressive cancer that benefits significantly from early detection.

Most anal gland problems in cats are minor and manageable, but they shouldn’t be ignored. With attentive monitoring, appropriate diet, and timely intervention when needed, you can keep your cat comfortable and avoid the more serious complications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all cats need their anal glands expressed?

No, the majority of cats never need manual anal gland expression. In healthy cats with firm, well-formed stools, the glands express naturally during bowel movements without any human intervention. Only cats who develop impaction — glands that don’t empty properly on their own — need manual expression. If your cat has never shown signs of anal gland problems, there’s no reason to express them preventively. In fact, unnecessary expression can cause irritation and inflammation that leads to problems where none existed before.

How can I tell if my cat’s anal glands are infected versus just full?

Full or impacted glands cause scooting, licking, and a fishy odor, but the cat is generally otherwise well. Infected glands produce additional symptoms: the area around the anus may be red, swollen, and warm to the touch. The discharge, if any, may be yellowish, greenish, or bloody rather than the normal brownish-tan color. Your cat may show signs of systemic illness like fever, lethargy, or loss of appetite. The area will be significantly more painful — your cat may cry out or become aggressive when the area is touched. If you suspect infection, see your veterinarian rather than attempting home expression, as infected glands need antibiotics and professional treatment.

Can diet changes help prevent anal gland problems in cats?

Yes, diet is one of the most effective tools for preventing anal gland issues. The key is ensuring your cat produces firm, well-formed stools that provide adequate pressure to naturally express the glands during defecation. A high-quality diet with appropriate fiber content is the foundation. Adding a small amount of pumpkin puree or a veterinary fiber supplement can help firm up soft stools. Ensuring adequate hydration by offering wet food and fresh water also supports healthy digestion. If your cat has food sensitivities or allergies that cause chronic soft stools, working with your veterinarian to identify and eliminate the triggering ingredient can resolve both the digestive issues and the anal gland problems.