Why did my cat suddenly smell fishy after I moved her? Is it normal?

Question

Our 3 year old female spayed cat was just getting up on my lap like always and I moved her because she was stepping on my laptop keyboard. I don't think I could have possibly hurt her moving her but she mewed like she does when you pick her up which she doesn't like but then we smelled this weird smell and she starting licking the couch where she was sitting and then she was licking my arm. What could that smell have been and if it was her why would she do that? Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | spayed | 9 lbs

Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH · Accepted Answer

Cats and dogs have scent glands on either side of the anus called anal glands. The material in the glands is very stinky and often described as smelling fishy. Most wild animals can empty these glands voluntarily for scent marking or in self-defense (like a skunk might do), but dogs and cats have largely lost their ability to empty these sacs voluntarily. They normally release these glands during defecation, but can also release with excitement or stress. So, if Ariel struggled or got excited when you moved her, she likely expressed her anal glands. It is not anything to be concerned about, but can certainly be stinky, so you may need to clean the area of the couch that she was licking to get rid fo the smell. I hope that was helpful and answered your question. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Why did my cat suddenly smell fishy after I moved her? Is it normal?

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