Cat anal gland inflammation usually cannot heal on its own and requires timely manual assistance or veterinary treatment. Otherwise, the inflammation may worsen, even develop into abscess rupture, causing great pain and health risks for the cat.

The anal glands are two small glands located on either side of the cat’s anus at the rear of the body. They secrete a special-smelling substance, which is expelled along with feces during defecation, serving to mark territory and provide lubrication. Imagine this as the cat’s own "identification" and "lubricant." Under normal circumstances, these secretions should be discharged smoothly. However, if for various reasons the secretion cannot be properly expelled, it will accumulate inside the glands. Over time, this may cause blockage, leading to bacterial infection and resulting in anal gland inflammation.

Common Symptoms of Cat Anal Gland Inflammation

When a cat’s anal glands have problems, they will express discomfort through behavior and physical signs. Caring owners should look out for the following signals:

• Scooting: This is one of the most typical symptoms. The cat may sit on the ground or carpet and rub its hindquarters to relieve discomfort, much like a child scratching an itch.
• Frequent licking or biting around the anus area: Inflammation and pain cause the cat to continually lick or bite the anal area, trying to relieve itching and pain.
• Difficulty or pain during defecation: The anal glands are near the anus, and inflammation can press against the rectum, causing pain when the cat defecates, possibly leading to refusal to defecate. You might observe the cat struggling or vocalizing in the litter box.
• Redness and swelling around the anus: Careful observation of the anal area may reveal redness, swelling, heat, and palpation may find firmness or fluctuation if an abscess has formed.
• Foul odor: Blocked or infected secretions may emit a smell stronger and more putrid than usual.
• Depression and loss of appetite: Severe pain and discomfort can affect the cat’s mental state and appetite, making them less active and uninterested in food.

If you notice any of the above symptoms, be alert as it may be anal gland inflammation.

What Are the Causes of Anal Gland Inflammation?

Cat anal gland inflammation doesn’t occur without reason; it may be related to the following factors:

• Genetic factors: Some cats are born with relatively narrow anal gland structures or thicker secretions, making blockage more likely.
• Diet issues: Feeding cats low-fiber food long-term results in poorly formed or soft stools, which fail to exert enough pressure during defecation to help expel secretions.
• Obesity: Overweight cats may have altered body structures affecting normal anal gland emptying.
• Lack of exercise: Insufficient exercise may impair intestinal motility and natural anal gland emptying.
• Chronic diarrhea or constipation: Long-term abnormal stools interfere with normal anal gland function.
• Allergies or infections: Skin allergies or bacterial infections around the anal area can also secondarily cause anal gland inflammation.

Why Can’t Cat Anal Gland Inflammation Be Expected to Heal on Its Own?

The root cause of anal gland inflammation is blockage and bacterial infection caused by poor secretion discharge. Self-healing means the body can unclog blockages and clear infections independently. However, this is usually difficult for cat anal gland inflammation.

1. Physical blockage: The gland opening is blocked by thick secretions or inflammatory products, and without physical squeezing or flushing, the blockage is hard to relieve on its own.
2. Bacterial infection: Once bacterial infection occurs, without antibiotics, the body struggles to completely eliminate the bacteria; inflammation persists or worsens.
3. Anatomical structure: The special location and structure of the anal glands require either muscular pressure during defecation or manual assistance to effectively expel contents.
4. Vicious cycle: Inflammation causes gland swelling, further compressing the opening and worsening blockage, creating a vicious cycle.

If not treated promptly, anal gland inflammation may progress from slight swelling to a painful abscess. If the abscess does not rupture, it causes continuous pain; if it ruptures, although the secretions and pus drain out, the rupture is prone to infection, forming fistulas that complicate and prolong treatment, causing greater suffering. This is similar to human appendicitis, where early inflammation without treatment can lead to pus formation or perforation, threatening life and should not be expected to heal by itself.

Correct Treatment Methods for Cat Anal Gland Inflammation

The safest and most effective way to manage cat anal gland inflammation is to seek professional veterinary help.

1. Veterinary examination: The vet will palpate the anal glands to assess their size, hardness, and tenderness to determine if it is simple blockage, inflammation, or an abscess.
2. Manual expression: For blockage and mild inflammation, the vet uses professional techniques to manually express the secretions and inflammatory materials from the glands. This process can be difficult for inexperienced people and improper handling may cause pain or gland injury to the cat, so home attempts by untrained owners are not recommended.
3. Medication: After expression, the vet may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs (oral or injectable) and antibiotics to control inflammation and infection. If an abscess has formed, it may need to be incised and drained before flushing and medication.
4. Local flushing and infusion: For more severe inflammation or abscesses, the vet may perform local flushing of the anal glands and infuse antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs.
5. Surgery: In rare cases of recurrent inflammation, fistula formation, or severe gland disease, surgery to remove the anal glands may be recommended. This is a major procedure with some risks and usually a last resort.

What can pet owners do at home?

Before veterinary care, you can try warm compresses around the cat's anus to help relieve pain and promote local blood circulation but should not force expression. After veterinary treatment, follow medication and recheck instructions strictly.

Some owners learn manual anal gland expression and perform regular care at home. However, this requires proper technique and gentle handling. If the cat resists strongly or the operation is improper, injuries can occur. It is recommended to learn under veterinary guidance or regularly bring the cat to pet grooming or hospitals for professional expression. Not all cats need regular anal gland expression; only those prone to blockages do.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How often should cat anal glands be expressed?
  Not all cats require regular anal gland expression. Only cats prone to blockage and showing symptoms need it. The frequency depends on the individual; some may only need it once every few months, others more frequently. It is best to decide based on the cat's condition and veterinary advice.
• Does expressing cat anal glands hurt?
  If done correctly with gentle pressure, it usually does not cause severe pain. But if the glands are inflamed or severely blocked, the cat may feel discomfort or pain during expression. Therefore, it should be performed by experienced individuals.
• What should I do if the cat’s anal gland ruptures?
  If the anal gland ruptures, inflammation is severe. Immediate veterinary care is required. The vet will clean the wound, flush and use antibiotics to control infection, and may need to bandage or provide additional treatment. Never treat a rupture wound by yourself.
• How to prevent cat anal gland inflammation?
  Maintain a healthy diet with sufficient high-fiber food to help form healthy stools that promote natural anal gland emptying. Control weight to avoid obesity. For cats prone to inflammation, regular checks or assisted expression under veterinary advice may help.

Summary

Cat anal gland inflammation is a problem that should not be ignored and cannot be expected to heal by itself. Once you notice symptoms like scooting or frequent anal licking, promptly take your cat to the vet for examination and treatment. With professional diagnosis and treatment, combined with follow-up medication and care, most cats can have their anal gland inflammation effectively controlled and cured. Remember, early detection and treatment are key—don’t let a small problem develop into a big one, causing unnecessary suffering to your cat.