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My cat's anus sticks out when pooping. What should I do now?
Updated on September 23, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | spayed | 1 year and 10 months old | 10.2 lbs
My cat’s colon/anus appears to be sticking out when she poops. I took her to the vet 2 weeks ago and the vet expressed her anal glands because they were full. Vet said that might be the cause. Any tips on what I could do? Her stools are formed and there is no blood. She doesn’t seem to be in pain when pooping. Also doesn’t scoot or lick her butt a lot. She eats Royal Canin Protein PD wet and dry because we were trying a hypoallergenic diet for my other cat, but neither of them appear allergic.
1 Answer
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Makenzie Kurth, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on March 20, 2018
Some mild protrusion during defecation and for a minute after is not uncommon and is usually nothing the worry about. However, I always deworm these guys anyways, as roundworms are a common cause of rectal prolapse.
Something like this usually works if that’s the problem.
VIP - TM-_-58700003271149947&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos={adpos}&scid=scplp1246100&sc_intid=1246100&kwid=p27187667103&device=m&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoujYo_P72QIVj2p-Ch3FMwYjEAQYASABEgJ_ofD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Her stools look slightly soft which can also exacerbate this problem so I’d add 1 tsp benefiber powder to each meal. (Shouldn’t be a problem for the hypoallergenic trial.)
If you are seeing more than 5mm of red anal tissue or it is staying “out” for more than 2 minutes, it’s time to see the vet.
Hope this helps and best of luck to you and Lulu.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful