How do I stop my cat emptying his anal glands?

[DumbledoresSocks]

My cat often empties his anal glands when happy, usually when on my bed or sitting on my lap. Any ideas on how to minimise this? It's really unpleasant

[LanguidLobster]

Umm...I haven't heard of this before and had to google. How do you actually know?

There were some instructions online. Would your cat deck you if you tried DIY? Hopefully someone with actual advice will come along. I'm looking at the cat in a new light now!

[DragonsAndCakes]

Having googled, I now know much more about cat anal glands than I need to.
Ergh.

I saw one suggestion to introduce a higher fibre diet, did you see that?

[TammySwansonTwo]

This is really interesting - one of my cats did this once when we were trying to cut her claws (she’d been inside for a while due an injury and they were getting long). I couldn’t understand what had happened.

As far as I can see, they shouldn’t be emptying them when theyre not pooing, so I’d get it checked out by a vet to make sure there’s not a problem.

[Els1e]

Aren’t you the lucky one? (Not) Never experienced this with a cat, so can’t really offer any first hand advice. I think I would do a trip to the vet to see if there is any medical reason his anal glands are not emptying when pooping. I’ve have a dog where one of his anal glands is not positioned correctly, so does not empty properly. I take him to the vet nurse every few months to have it cleared out. My dog is a very good natured, forgiving soul. Can’t say the same about the cat...

[BillywilliamV]

You can try squeezing them regularily when its more convenient, not very nice though!

[ElizabethinherGermanGarden]

My local vet has a sign-up service whereby you pay £10 a month and for that you get all vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, regular general checks, claw clipping and, crucially, they'll do the anal gland expressing for you. Might be worth it because that sounds bloody disgusting!

[DumbledoresSocks]

Thanks for the replies! The article I read said that if they're doing it when they're happy it's a territorial thing. He is a territorial cat, we went through a phase of spraying a lot (we drew a short straw with him I think). I wondered whether emptying them regularly would minimise the behaviour. He's difficult enough to get worm tablets into so I don't relish the idea of squeezing his glands

[DumbledoresSocks]

In answer to the question how do I know... you know. It's a smell like no other

[LanguidLobster]

I'm still a bit confused about it, do you mean a little bit of poo? Spraying is a male cat thing isn't it? Oh god I hope mine behaves. I don't think I could take being introduced to two new smelly things within a short space of time.

May the force be with you, Dumbledore!

Squeezing glands!! sorry.

[DumbledoresSocks]

No, it's not poo. It's just a clear liquid. You can't usually see it but it stinks. Such a glam life I lead.

I would guess it's a male thing. He's been neutered but he does spray and fight other cats. He's the gift that keeps on giving

[Thatsalritehun]

My females have done it on rare occasions. It STINKS

[madeyemoodysmum]

My female does it if my dd is Harassing her I think it's a control thing It reeks to high heaven.

[ALongHardWinter]

My female cat does this. She 'scoots' across the kitchen floor,i.e. she sits on her bottom,then pulls herself along with her front paws,while her back paws are going up and down. She looks like a clockwork toy.

[LanguidLobster]

You've got me thinking now, my one smelt a little a couple of months back and I over-enthusiastically thought to give her a wash.

It's a bit of a cliche but it ended as badly as you might expect with a highly indignant, outraged cat and a claw sheath imbedded in my chest.

I didn't realise it might have been a gland thing, I thought she was neglecting her toilette.

[Bluebellsinthegarden]

No help here but if it’s anything like the smell of a dogs (think rotting fish!) then I really sympathise. If you find away of getting rid of the smell quickly please let me know too! No matter how much arse washing, it hangs around for ages. Luckily only happens when he’s scared but it’s bloody horrific!!