Most cats empty their anal glands naturally every time they have a bowel movement, but when the glands become impacted, you can express them at home using a simple external technique. The glands sit just inside the anus at roughly the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions, tucked between two rings of sphincter muscle. Understanding exactly where they are and what you’re feeling for makes the process straightforward, though admittedly unpleasant.
Signs Your Cat’s Anal Glands Need Help
Cats with full or impacted anal glands show fairly obvious discomfort. The most common signs are scooting their rear end along the floor, excessive licking or biting at the area around the anus, and straining or visible pain during bowel movements. You may also be able to feel firm, pea-sized lumps on either side of the anus when the glands are overfull.
A strong, fishy smell that seems to follow your cat around is another telltale sign. Healthy anal glands release small amounts of fluid during defecation without you ever noticing, so a persistent odor usually means the glands aren’t draining on their own.
When to Skip the DIY Approach
Before you attempt expression at home, check the area visually. If you see swelling, redness, or any discharge (especially bloody or pus-like material) near the anus, that points to infection or abscess rather than simple impaction. Impacted glands that sit too long can progress to a condition called anal sacculitis, where the sac becomes inflamed and infected. In severe cases the gland can rupture, creating an open wound next to the anus that needs veterinary treatment including antibiotics and possibly sedated drainage.
If the skin around the anus looks normal and your cat’s only symptom is scooting or licking, you’re likely dealing with straightforward impaction that’s safe to address at home.
What You’ll Need
- Disposable gloves. The fluid from anal glands has an intensely foul smell that clings to skin and surfaces. Gloves are non-negotiable.
- Paper towels, gauze, or tissues. You’ll hold these directly against the anus to catch the expressed material. Disposable materials are far easier to deal with than a cloth you’ll need to wash.
- A helper. Cats do not enjoy this process. Having someone gently hold your cat still makes everything safer and faster.
- Odor-eliminating wipes or waterless shampoo (optional). Useful for cleaning the area afterward without a full bath. Make sure any product you use is safe for direct skin contact.
The External Expression Technique
External expression is the method most appropriate for home use. Internal expression, where a finger is inserted into the rectum, is more thorough but requires lubrication, practice, and a very cooperative cat. Most veterinarians recommend starting with the external method.
Have your helper hold the cat securely on a stable surface, with the tail lifted gently upward. Stand or sit behind the cat so you have a clear view of the anus. Place a folded paper towel or piece of gauze directly over the anus to act as a catch.
Picture the anus as a clock face. The two anal glands sit at roughly the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions, just beneath the skin. Place your thumb on one side and your index finger on the other, positioning them slightly below and to the outside of each gland. Apply firm, steady inward and upward pressure, squeezing both sides toward each other and slightly upward toward the anus. Think of it as pressing inward and then “milking” the contents toward the opening.
You should feel the small, firm lumps of the glands beneath your fingertips. As you squeeze, the fluid will release onto your paper towel through the tiny duct openings at the surface of the anus. If nothing comes out after two or three firm attempts, stop. Repeated forceful squeezing can cause bruising or inflammation, and the gland may need internal expression by a veterinarian.
What Normal Fluid Looks Like
One of the trickiest parts of home expression is knowing whether what comes out looks healthy. A study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery found extreme variation in normal anal gland secretions across cats. Researchers identified at least seven color varieties in healthy cats: brown, yellow-brown, tan, gray, white, light yellow, and orange. Consistency ranged from watery to thick and creamy, and some samples contained solid chunks of material. All of this was normal.
So color and thickness alone won’t tell you much. What should concern you is the presence of blood or material that looks like pus (thick, greenish-yellow, or foul beyond the usual bad smell). In healthy secretions, red blood cells are almost never present. The study found them in only 3% of normal samples, and even then only in trace amounts. Blood in the expressed fluid is a sign of possible disease and warrants a vet visit.
Preventing Future Impactions
If your cat’s anal glands keep filling up, the most effective long-term strategy is increasing dietary fiber. Bulkier stools put more natural pressure on the glands during defecation, helping them empty on their own with each bowel movement. Veterinary therapeutic diets designed for digestive health and fiber supplementation can help achieve this. Fiber-and-probiotic supplements formulated specifically for anal gland support are also available in powder form that you sprinkle on food, making daily use simple.
Overweight cats are more prone to anal gland problems because excess tissue around the rear can prevent the glands from being compressed naturally during defecation. Maintaining a healthy weight through portion control and activity can reduce the frequency of impactions over time.
There’s no universal schedule for how often cats need manual expression. Some cats never need it in their lives, while others with chronic issues may need it every few weeks. If you find yourself expressing more than once a month, that pattern is worth discussing with a veterinarian, as recurring impaction can sometimes signal an underlying issue like chronic soft stools, allergies, or anatomical abnormalities that a diet change alone won’t fix.