Hi everyone, sorry for this slightly gross topic. It's the second time my cat has expressed her anal glands during a cuddle session. The last time was about a month or two ago. I've looked it up online and it says this usually happens in stressful situations or if the glands are blocked... My cat is very timid and naturally quite anxious, but both times this happened, she wasn't stressed at all. Do you think this can also happen when a cat is happy, or does it mean she has a problem and I need to take her to the vet?
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Yeah, it’s definitely a brown liquid, ranging from light to dark. Both times it’s happened with my girl, it wasn't down to stress (even though she is very skittish), as it was while she’d come over for a fuss and was really relaxed. If it happens again, I’ll take her to the vet as well, just to make sure she hasn’t got an abscess or anything like that, but I don't think that's the case.
Hi, what colour is the fluid that comes out of the anal glands? My cat has just leaked some brown liquid on my son, who is only two months old, and I’m really worried about it. I’m going to call the vet tomorrow, but I want to make sure it’s actually coming from his anal glands first.
Hi Yuna, every cat has them. If I’m not mistaken, they’re the two little openings on either side of the anus. They usually empty themselves automatically when they go for a poo (which probably explains why it can smell so bad sometimes). I’d give the vet a ring, though I don’t reckon it’s a medical issue as it doesn't look swollen or infected; she isn't scooting her bum across the floor and doesn’t seem to have any trouble with her stools (though I could be wrong). Luckily, this time I was sitting up and it only got on my dressing gown, because the first time I was lying down. Yume always has the same ritual: when she comes to bed with me, she has a little kneading session – with her bum right in my face, of course – before turning around for a stroke, so I actually got some in my face that time. Not exactly the highlight of my life, but it’s the same with babies or even kids – they’ll be sick on you or have an accident while you’re changing their nappies. Anyway, after that lovely bit of poetry, I wish you all the very best for 2022.
I've also got a cat who's really skittish. Whenever he decides to come over for a cuddle and snuggles right up to me, he gives off a really strong smell from his bum, even though nothing actually comes out. This is all while he’s purring away, and he’s been neutered.
I’ve just sat down for my dinner and I’ll be heading off to bed shortly, so apologies if this is a bit gross! I’m just curious because this isn't the first thread I’ve seen about anal glands, yet I’ve never had even the slightest issue in that department.
Do all cats actually have them, or is it only something you hear about when there’s a health problem?
Hi there,
First it was Christmas chocolates, now it’s gland issues!
As far as I know, if a cat is expressing its anal glands when they aren't stressed, it usually means they aren't emptying them naturally when they go for a poo. This tends to happen with cats that are constipated or, on the flip side, suffering from diarrhoea. The natural process for emptying them while passing a stool gets disrupted.
If it keeps happening, it's best to see the vet just to make sure there isn't a lump (even a tiny one) around the glands.
