My cat's bum leaks smelly liquid when picked up. Are anal glands full?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | 2 years and 9 months old | 16 lbs
My cat keeps secreting very smelly liquid from him bum. This usually happens if I pick him up or we are play fighting. The smell is unbearable and then proceeds to clean the area. Is this an infection that he needs to go the vets?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on August 30th, 2017
It sounds like the odor you are describing is discharge from Ed's anal glands. Anal glands are a scent marking gland (as you could guess) since they produce a very strong odor. It is normal to animals to express anal gland material when very stimulated or startled. I have attached an article below that describes anal glands. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=625 I had this occur with one of my cats when he was young, but it no longer is a problem. However, I would recommend having your vet examine Ed's anal glands to make sure they are not overly full. Sometimes cats will need their anal glands expressed intermittently to prevent them from expressing them. Good luck! Please let me know if that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on February 24th, 2020
Hello. It sounds as if your pet is repeatedly expressing his anal sacs. If this occurs frequently, I would recommend that you have your veterinarian check to see if they are overly full and need manually expressed. Some pets do require assistance with this. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
My four-year-old neutered male cat has developed a sudden problem. As a kitten he was very affectionate, but grew more aloof as he got older. Now he is certainly affectionate again. His tail puffs out when he’s getting stroked and then comes the mos
My 10 month old cat has this foul smell coming from his rear. He doesn’t have poop or any stains on his butt. His stool is also very normal, he eats well and he’s very active. His fur is short and he’s 10lbs. Very healthy looking cat. But there’s thi
My Male 2 year old cats butt looks fine but he occasionally leaks clear sometimes a bit cloudy liquid. Not sure where it's coming from but it smells bad.
Hello, I have noticed that my cat's rectal area smells like garlic. This has started two days ago after the new years eve celebration when he was frightened by the fireworks. I did some research and found that they might indeed discharge their anal g
My cat just leaked a little bit of light brown liquid from her bottom. Why
I have a 1 1/2 year old female Siamese:tabby mix. We rescued her from the shelter when she was 4 months. For most of her life she leaks horrible smelling fluid, usually on my bed at night. It happens quite often. We have tried whole earth and canadae
Why my male kitten has some kind of pee from his anus. It was when he sat on my bed there will leave some trace which is liquid from his anus. He is not neutered yet. Is this has to do with him start spray around the house?
My cat has this weird thing by his butt I don't know what it is it it has a stick liquid surrounding
This is kind of weird but my cats bum has been smelling really bad lately(it’s a weird but, it’s not a smell of poo). I bought special wipes and wiped it but it still smells bad. The smell is staining on my furniture and clothes and isn’t going away.
My cat get smelling water out here Uranus don't know what to do
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
