Cat’s butt smells

OK, this is really gross, but you can express them yourself.

When I took Lulu to the vet once, she told me her anal glands were clogged, and showed me how to express them.

You can take your cat to the vet and let them do it, I don't know how often you'd have to take the cat.

To put it mildly, a cat doesn't like having that done. I can't advise you on how to hold the cat, but be prepared to have to give it at least an ass bath afterwards.

The first time I did it, I was AMAZED at the amount of stuff that came out, I actually got frightened because it didn't look like it was going to stop. Have tons of kleenex around, it honestly seems like about half a teaspoon of yuck came out of each side. All the while, Lulu was going bezerk.

After that, it was more under control

The odor? I can't even begin to describe.

Sorry this is so disgusting, but there's no way around it.

I'd take the cat in.

It can be messy, stinky and if the cat freaks it can end up in places you'd rather not have it.

I think it's worth the money to have a professional do it in a place where if the stink embeds itself, you don't have to smell it.

Smelly cat, smelly cat
What are they feeding you?
Smelly cat, smelly cat,
it's not your fault!

I guess the sacs could be clogged, but from what I have read so far some cats are simply prone to "expressing" themselves due to fear and/or sac openings not fully closing. As I mentioned if you pick him up (and look at his butt while doing so) you can see the fluid being expelled.

The fluid is the correct color and consistency, and the fact that it can be so readily expelled of his own volition suggests the sacs are not clogged. But I could be wrong, and I did read about expressing them - oh joy!

FWIW this cat is by far the most fearful / high-strung animal I've ever owned. It's always hiding under beds, scurrying about, and howling to be let in or out.

mmm hmmm...I had a cat like that, Lulu's sister in fact.

No way would I have fooled around with her. It was like she was possessed.

maybe the cat needs, well, not exactly tranquilizers, but something to take the edge off?

She can't be very happy either.

I thought this thread was a joke. I read the whole thing. Now I'm friggin scared for life.

What is this? some kind of sicko cat butt fetish? Amigos outta here!

I'm not saying the below is the case for sure, but I have my suspicions because of his nervousness and that a high powered light and magnifying glass revealed no problems. http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/analsac.html

Hi Chai,
You're right about the sorryful beast never being very happy and really hard to catch, let alone administering anal inspections. He is locked up in a bathroom for a few days while I try and sort things out.

To all,
Thanks for the posts, I'll let you know how things go (or don't go)!

Looks like your kitty is having butt surgery.

Jesus christ people actually own these animals?

Anal Retentive and Wondering

I have a friend who used to work at a groomers. When she would bathe the animals (dogs have them, too), she would squeeze their anal glands. A complete bathing, let's say.
Dogs apparently liked having their glands squeezed according to her.
I can't remember her talking about cats liking it, but I could have taken my mind elsewhere by then...

Oh, so my point, maybe a groomers? Ask them if they do it?
With such a nervous cat (I've had them myself), maybe a discussion with a nice vet about the glands and about the overall nervousness?

I think there's homeopathic animal relaxers out there. Maybe they would help...and maybe they can be added to food? I don't know much about them, except some people say they work.

I hate trying to give my cat any medicine, it becomes a battle of wills that she usually bests me on.

I wish you luck and an easy solution for your stink-butt.

Dogs like that?

kinky.

So, if I haven't had a problem with cat stink-butt in 5+ years of having my cats, I probably won't have to worry? (Please be no)

I don't know 'bout that. From what little I know, it can become a problem even if it was not before. My cat did not seem to have stink-butt 'till the sister was eaten by a coyote / bobcat, now it's stressed and spooked and stinky.

If I pick it up while watching it's butt closely, you can actually see the anal sacs kind'a leak, if the cat gets stressed. It gets stressed by almost anything it seems

uh oh....you're way overdue....better put on the hazmat suit.

and get a tranquilizer gun.

and put your phaser on stun.

One's for you, one for the cat, take your pick which.

C'mon - you sayin this is an inevitable condition, at some point? Yer kiddin, right?

We just wanna see you in a hazmat suit. Post pics.

Er, no reason.

But, can cats live non-stinkbut lives?