Anal Gland Problems in Cats: Impaction, Abscess, and Expression

Sep 17 • 10 min read

Your cat has been dragging her bottom along the floor, licking at her tail base more than usual, and there's an odd fishy smell you can't quite place. It's an easy thing to overlook or laugh off until you notice a small, tender swelling right beside her anus. That combination usually points to one specific, very fixable problem: an anal gland issue.

Cats have two small anal glands (also called anal sacs) just inside the anus, which normally release a small amount of strong-smelling fluid every time your cat has a bowel movement. Problems start when these glands stop emptying properly the fluid can build up (impaction), become infected, or, in more serious cases, form a painful abscess that may rupture. Anal gland disorders are genuinely uncommon in cats compared to dogs, but when they happen, most are readily treated once a vet examines and empties the affected gland. Left unaddressed, though, an infected gland can become a real emergency.

Key Takeaways

Anal glands are two small sacs just inside a cat's anus that release a strong-smelling fluid with each normal bowel movement, mainly for scent marking.
Anal gland disorders are uncommon in cats, but the most frequent form is impaction when the glands can't empty and their contents build up.
Left untreated, an impacted gland can become infected, and an infected gland can progress to a painful abscess that may eventually rupture through the skin.
Signs include scooting, excessive licking or biting at the tail base or anus, hair loss from overgrooming, swelling beside the anus, and discomfort when sitting or defecating.
Obesity and low-fibre diets that produce soft stool are recognised risk factors, since firm stool is what normally provides the pressure needed to empty the glands naturally.
Treatment usually means manual expression by a vet, sometimes with antibiotics or pain relief, and most cats respond well and recover quickly surgery is a rare, last-resort option.

What Are Anal Glands, and Why Do They Matter?

Simple illustration showing the location of a cat's anal glands.

Anal glands are small pouches inside a cat's bottom, on either side of the anus, according to PetMD also called anal sacs, since they're little sacs lined with glands that produce an odorous brown substance. When a cat has a bowel movement, a small amount of this secretion is squeezed out along with the feces, giving each cat's droppings a unique "scent signature" that other cats can identify.

VCA Hospitals describes their exact location: at roughly the four o'clock and eight o'clock positions around the anus. The fluid inside functions similarly to a skunk's scent glands used both for territorial marking and, historically, to repel threats. In domesticated cats, this function isn't really needed anymore, which is exactly why these glands can be surgically removed in severe cases without any negative effect on your cat's wellbeing.

Normal emptying happens automatically: PetMD notes it's triggered by the physical pressure of stool passing through during defecation, along with general activity and exercise. When everything is working as it should, you'll genuinely never notice these glands exist.

Signs of Anal Gland Problems in Cats

According to PetMD, signs of anal gland trouble include:

Redness or swelling of the rear end near the anus
Chewing, biting, or licking at the anus or tail
Pulling hair from the back end or tail if the cat can't reach the anus directly
Dragging the rear end along the ground (scooting)
A draining or oozing wound near the anus
Hair loss on the tail or belly from excessive grooming
Discomfort or pain when sitting or having bowel movements
Constipation
Hard swellings on either side of the anus

VCA Hospitals adds a genuinely important detail worth watching for in more advanced cases: because the nerves controlling the anal sphincter muscles run through the soft tissue near the anal sacs, cats with more extensive disease may occasionally drop fecal balls while walking or experience fecal incontinence while sleeping or lying down a sign that the problem has progressed and needs prompt attention rather than home monitoring.

The Anal Gland Problem Spectrum: Impaction, Infection, Abscess, and Cancer

Infographic showing how anal gland impaction can progress to infection and abscess in cats if untreated.

PetMD organises anal gland disorders into four recognised categories, and it's genuinely useful to understand how one can progress into the next if left unaddressed:

Anal gland impaction is the blocking of the anal glands, caused by an overaccumulation of fluid inside them and their inability to empty. This is by far the most common form. Merck Veterinary Manual notes that anal sac disease overall is much less common in cats than in dogs, and impaction specifically is the most frequently seen version in cats.

Anal gland abscess is a painful, inflamed swelling on one or both sides of the anus, caused by infection within the glands. PetMD explains the underlying mechanism: bacteria that are normally present in stool can occasionally overgrow, or travel backward through the duct into the anal sac. This usually isn't a problem, since it's simply expelled when the sac empties normally but if inflammation or irritation blocks that duct, the sac can't empty, and it becomes a perfect breeding ground for bacteria to rapidly multiply.

Anal gland rupture is the bursting of an abscess, caused by untreated infection and the building pressure of fluid trapped inside the gland. Merck describes what this looks like directly: if a gland is abscessed, an oozing sore may appear next to the anus.

Anal gland cancer is genuinely rare in cats, but PetMD notes it has a suspected genetic component, with Siamese and Burmese breeds showing a higher incidence. The most common type is anal sac adenocarcinoma.

What Causes Anal Gland Problems?

Understanding the mechanics here genuinely helps explain most of the risk factors. According to PetMD, normal emptying of the sac depends on exercise and the physical passage of stool through the anus. Obese cats are more likely to struggle with delayed emptying than cats at a healthy body condition, for two compounding reasons: they tend to exercise less, meaning less natural stimulation of the glands, and their extra tissue can physically compress the duct openings, making emptying harder even when a cat does defecate normally.

Diet plays a direct role too. If a cat doesn't get enough fibre, the resulting soft stool doesn't create the physical pressure the glands need to be squeezed out effectively during a bowel movement. This is exactly why fibre-focused nutrition is such a consistent theme across both prevention and treatment for this condition.

Genetics can also be a factor independent of weight or diet PetMD notes some cats simply have naturally tiny duct openings, meaning they can become impacted even with a healthy weight and a good diet. VCA Hospitals adds that recurrent anal sac disease, while uncommon overall in cats, is seen more often alongside obesity, chronic diarrhoea, chronic constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, allergies (including food allergies), and abnormal anatomy.

How Vets Diagnose the Problem

Diagnosis starts with a thorough physical exam. PetMD describes the process directly: your vet will palpate (feel) each anal gland, checking for swelling, hardness, or pain. It genuinely helps to tell your vet if your cat has had anal gland trouble before, or if there's been any decreased appetite, lethargy, or vomiting alongside the local signs, since these can point to a more significant infection.

Because anal gland disorders can be genuinely painful, your vet will often attempt to express the glands as part of the exam itself, applying gentle pressure to empty their contents don't be alarmed if your cat seems upset by this, since the area is sensitive even in mild cases. PetMD notes that sedation is sometimes necessary if the impaction is severe and painful, or if a cat won't tolerate a thorough exam otherwise.

Most anal gland disorders are diagnosed through the physical exam alone. If there's a draining wound, your vet may examine a sample of the discharge under a microscope or send it for bacterial culture to identify the most effective antibiotic. If a mass is felt near the anal sac, cells may be collected and examined, with biopsy reserved for cases where cancer is a genuine concern.

Treatment: Expression, Antibiotics, and Rarely, Surgery

Treatment is aimed at restoring normal gland function, and the approach depends on where along the impaction-to-abscess spectrum your cat's case falls.

For impaction, treatment may be as simple as manually expressing the gland by hand to empty its contents. PetMD notes that sometimes an infusion is needed first to soften material that's become too hard and dry to expel on its own. Sedation may be used if the area is especially swollen or painful, though this procedure usually doesn't require hospitalisation. After treatment, your vet will likely recommend a regular expression schedule to help prevent the impaction from recurring.

For infection, antibiotics are typically prescribed, alongside pain medication if needed. VCA Hospitals notes warm compresses may also help provide additional pain relief at this stage.

For a ruptured abscess, PetMD notes your cat will likely need wound care in addition to antibiotics, and cleaning the area regularly until it heals. If the abscess hasn't ruptured on its own yet, VCA notes surgical lancing may be necessary to relieve it.

Surgical removal of the anal glands is reserved for rare cases chronic, recurring infection that doesn't respond to other treatment, or cancer. VCA Hospitals is candid that this is a delicate, specialised procedure, and because the nerves controlling the anal sphincter run through the same soft tissue, there's a real (if uncommon) risk of temporary or, rarely, permanent fecal incontinence following surgery something your vet will discuss thoroughly with you before proceeding.

Recovery and Prevention

Pet parent playing with a cat using a wand toy to encourage healthy activity and weight.

Most cats respond well to treatment and recover quickly once their glands have been properly emptied, according to PetMD. If there's been a rupture, additional vet visits for wound care may be needed during healing, and a recovery cone is genuinely helpful to stop your cat from licking or chewing at the healing area especially important if a topical product has been prescribed, since you don't want your cat ingesting it.

A few habits genuinely reduce the risk of recurrence:

Feed a healthy, appropriately portioned diet and keep your cat at a good body condition PetMD specifically links nutrition and obesity to anal gland disorders, making weight management one of the most actionable prevention steps.
Consider a higher-fibre diet if your vet recommends it, since bulkier stool provides the physical pressure the glands need to empty naturally.
Encourage regular activity through interactive play a laser pointer or wand toy genuinely helps here, since exercise supports both a healthy weight and more consistent natural gland emptying.
If your cat has been diagnosed with a gland problem before, ask your vet about a regular expression schedule, since recurrence is genuinely more likely once a cat has had one episode.
Never attempt to express your cat's anal glands at home without your vet demonstrating the correct technique first cats are sensitive in this area, and the wrong pressure or approach can cause pain or make an existing problem worse.

FAQ

How do I know if my cat needs their anal glands expressed?
Watch for licking or chewing at the rear end, scooting, plucking hair from the tail base or back end, or visible swelling on either side of the anus. If you notice any of these, it's worth a vet visit rather than attempting expression yourself.

Is a ruptured anal gland an emergency?
It should be treated as urgent. A ruptured abscess needs veterinary wound care and antibiotics to heal properly and avoid further infection this isn't something to manage with home remedies alone.

Can I express my cat's anal glands myself at home?
It's not recommended without your vet showing you the correct technique first. Cats are more sensitive than dogs in this area, and improper pressure or technique can cause pain, injury, or make an existing problem worse.

Are anal gland problems common in cats?
No, genuinely uncommon compared to dogs some sources estimate they affect well under 1% of cats. That said, when they do occur, most respond very well and quickly once properly treated by a vet.

Will my cat need surgery for anal gland problems?
Rarely. Surgical removal is reserved for cases of chronic, recurring infection that doesn't respond to other treatment, or for cancer. Most cats are managed successfully with expression, and sometimes antibiotics or pain relief, without ever needing surgery.