Cat smelling fishy

[RCOR]

Hey everyone

We have our cat for about 1 year. Rescue from our local Pet Rescue Centre. She was neutered when we got her.

Over the weekend we started to notice a very strong fishy smell. Rightly or wrongly we bought a cat shampoo and gave her rear end a light wash. However the smell is back today.

A quick google tells me it might be anal glands. But she's not licking anymore than normal not dragging her rear along the ground like one site suggested.

Any ideas? Does she need to see the vet or is this normal enough?

Many thanks

Does she go out or is she an indoor cat?

What does neutering involve? Has she had a hysterectomy? Is that what they do? I’d be concerned it was something that area. But there again I’ve never had female animals. I’ve always thought too much to go wrong. I think you ought to get her checked out properly. Vets I mean.

Both @YoureTheOneBeepingTheHornOverACheeseBurger . In and out all day long. She doesn't really use the litter tray anymore (if that's of any relevance. This is our first ever cat)

Anal gland issues don't always have symptoms. If she smells fishy then she needs to be checked out - they can be very painful.

I would, in the first instance, assume someone else is feeding her something fishy!

Have you stuck your nose near her mouth to see if it could be a dental thing and did you actually stick your nose to her bum and smell up close?

Good point!

Outdoor cat, I would assume she is eating someone else's cat food.

Mine are fed herring flavour each night, the whiff when they breathe on you is quite something.

I would check it's not her gums as a fishy smells usually means gingivitis.

Anal glands probably. She may have loose stools that are causing this. Definitely vet, they'll be able to tell you which grotty smell it is!

Get her kidneys checked. It can be a sign of cystitis, bladder or kidney problems. Make sure her food isn't too salty (felix).

My cat regularly suffered with a fishy smell shortly before she suffered with cystitis. It was the vet who told me about cat food being salty being the cause.

Has a neighbour been feeding her fish?

Hi @RCOR, my long haired cat is having the same issue for the last 2 days. Did you manage to get this resolved?