Cat in Pain after Glands Expressed

Aug 31, 2023 | Cats

Cat in Pain after Glands Expressed
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Cat in Pain After Glands Expressed? What’s Normal and When to Call a Vet (2026)

Is your cat in pain after glands expressed? Mild tenderness, extra licking or a little scooting can happen briefly after anal gland expression, especially if the glands were inflamed. Pain that gets worse, does not start improving within a day or two, or comes with swelling, bleeding, fever, hiding or not eating needs a call to your vet.

Anal gland expression is a quick procedure, but the area is sensitive. This guide explains why a cat in pain after glands expressed may feel sore, which signs are expected, how to keep your cat comfortable at home, and which warning signs mean an infection, abscess or another problem needs care.

Key takeaways

  • A cat in pain after glands expressed may have brief, mild soreness, especially when the glands were impacted.
  • VCA veterinarians describe anal sac disease as very painful and note treatment may need sedation.
  • Watch for swelling beside the anus, blood or pus, straining, hiding or a poor appetite.
  • Never give a cat human pain medicine; acetaminophen can be deadly to cats.
  • PetMD warns that repeated expression when it isn’t needed can cause scar tissue.
  • Most repeat problems have an underlying cause, such as diet, weight or stool changes.

Cat in Pain After Glands Expressed: The Short Answer

Some discomfort can be expected. The anal sacs sit on either side of the anus, and expressing them means pressing on tissue that may already be swollen. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, anal sac disease is very painful, a normally gentle cat may scratch or bite during an exam, and treatment can be painful enough to need sedation.

What you see Likely meaning What to do
Some licking under the tail Mild irritation Watch; it should ease quickly
A little scooting Lingering tenderness or itch Watch; call if it continues
Hiding or resting more Stress or soreness Quiet space; monitor eating
Swelling beside the anus Possible infection or abscess Call your vet
Blood, pus or a wound Possible ruptured abscess Call your vet the same day
Not eating, straining or crying Significant pain Call your vet the same day

Warning signs from VCA and PetMD; the “likely meaning” and timing columns are our editorial guidance, not a diagnosis.

Cat in pain after glands expressed: a tabby cat resting on a wooden floor
Extra rest and a quiet spot can help a sore cat recover after anal gland expression. Photo: Rohit Tandon / Unsplash.

Why Is My Cat in Pain After Glands Expressed?

The anal sacs are two small pouches on either side of the anus, at about the four and eight o’clock positions. VCA explains that they hold a strong-smelling fluid that is normally squeezed out when a cat passes stool. When the fluid thickens or the ducts swell, the sacs can stay full, become impacted and sometimes infected.

Several things can leave a cat sore afterward:

  • Inflamed tissue: If the glands were impacted or infected, the area was probably tender before the visit, and pressing on it may add to that soreness for a while.
  • Thick or hard material: VCA notes that impacted sacs may need flushing to clear solid material, which may leave the area tender.
  • Handling stress: According to PetMD (Jamie Lovejoy, DVM), restraining cats for gland expression can be difficult, and a stressed cat may hide or act off for a while.
  • Infection already present: An infection may keep hurting until antibiotics and pain relief take effect.
  • Repeated expression: PetMD warns that expressing the glands when it isn’t needed can lead to scar tissue and complications.

PetMD also advises that gland expression should be done by, or under the supervision of, a veterinary professional. If you tried it at home and now have a cat in pain after glands expressed, let your vet check the area so they can see whether the glands are empty, infected or injured.

Signs a Cat Is in Pain After Glands Expressed

Cats are experts at hiding pain. The VCA pain guide by Drs. Malcolm Weir and Robin Downing lists signs such as hiding, growling or hissing when approached, restlessness, eating less, over-grooming a sore spot, trouble in the litter box and sleeping in unusual places.

Signs that point to the rear end, drawn from VCA, PetMD and Cats.com, include:

  • Licking or biting under the tail
  • Scooting or dragging the bottom
  • Crying, straining or avoiding the litter box
  • Holding the tail low or flinching when the tail is touched
  • A fishy smell, discharge or blood under the tail

Check your cat’s face for pain

Researchers at the University of Montreal developed the Feline Grimace Scale, reported by the AVMA. It scores five facial features, each from 0 to 2. A total of 4 or more out of 10 suggests pain that needs treatment.

Facial feature Relaxed cat Possible pain
Ear position Facing forward Pulled apart or flattened
Eyes (orbital tightening) Open Squinting or narrowed
Muzzle tension Relaxed, rounded Tense, more oval
Whiskers Loose and curved Straight and pointing forward
Head position Above the shoulders Lowered or tucked

Features from the Feline Grimace Scale as reported by the AVMA; descriptions are simplified. See felinegrimacescale.com for the official training images.

How to Help a Cat in Pain After Glands Expressed

For a cat in pain after glands expressed with only mild soreness, gentle home care and close watching are usually enough. Follow any instructions your vet gave first.

  1. Give medicines exactly as prescribed. VCA notes that infected glands are often treated with antibiotics and pain relief. Finish the full course.
  2. Never use human pain relievers. A University of Illinois veterinary pharmacist warns that acetaminophen should never be given to a cat, and even an infant dose can be deadly.
  3. Offer a quiet, warm resting spot. Keep food, water and the litter box close so your cat does not have to jump or climb.
  4. Use a soft, low-dust litter. This may feel gentler on a tender area for a few days.
  5. Ask about warm compresses. VCA and Cats.com mention warm compresses for infected or uncomfortable glands. Use them only if your vet recommends it.
  6. Stop heavy licking. VCA advises a cone collar if a cat keeps licking the area.
  7. Keep the area clean. If your vet asks you to clean a draining spot, use only the method and products they recommend.

Swallowed a human pain pill? Call your vet, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 right away. A consultation fee may apply.

Pet Care Tip: Take a quick phone photo of the area under the tail on the day of expression, if your cat allows it. Comparing it the next day makes it easier to spot new swelling or redness and show your vet.

When a Cat in Pain After Glands Expressed Needs a Vet

No published guideline sets an exact recovery time, so watch the trend. Mild signs would be expected to improve, not get worse. Call your vet if pain is getting worse instead of better, or if you see any of the warning signs below.

Warning sign Why it matters
Swelling beside the anus VCA says this can be an abscess
Bloody or sticky discharge, or an open wound VCA and PetMD describe this with a ruptured gland
Straining or crying in the litter box Pain when passing stool
Not eating or hiding all day Common signs of significant pain or illness
Scooting or licking that does not ease Glands may still be full or infected
Leaking stool after gland surgery VCA notes this can follow sac removal

Signs from VCA, PetMD and Cats.com. VCA notes your vet will usually set a recheck after treatment.

Preventing Repeat Anal Gland Problems in Cats

Healthy cats usually empty their anal sacs on their own. PetMD says most gland problems have an underlying cause, such as allergies, a low-fiber or poor-quality diet, obesity, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease or tumors. Treating that cause is the best way to avoid another cat in pain after glands expressed.

  • Diet: Ask your vet whether a higher-fiber or different diet could help your cat pass firmer stools.
  • Weight: PetMD and VCA both link obesity to gland problems.
  • Stool changes: Treat diarrhea or constipation promptly with your vet’s help.
  • Parasite control: PetMD includes good parasite prevention in its tips.
  • Routine expression only when needed: VCA says cats with recurring problems may benefit from routine expression by a veterinary professional, while PetMD warns against expressing healthy glands.

What about anal sac removal?

When problems keep coming back, a vet may discuss removing the sacs. VCA calls this a delicate procedure and notes that some cats leak stool afterward because nearby nerves control the anal sphincter. This is usually temporary, settling within a few days to a few weeks, but it can rarely be permanent. PetMD describes surgery as a last resort.

When to call a vet right away: Call the same day if your cat has a swelling or open wound under the tail, blood or pus, a fever or lethargy, refuses food, or strains or cries in the litter box. If your vet is closed, call a 24/7 emergency animal hospital.

7 questions to ask your vet

  1. Were my cat’s glands impacted, infected or normal?
  2. How much soreness should I expect, and for how long?
  3. Is there a safe pain medicine for my cat?
  4. Should I use warm compresses or a cone collar?
  5. When should we schedule a recheck?
  6. Could diet, weight or allergies be causing this?
  7. Does my cat need routine expression, or should we avoid it?

Example Scenario (illustrative)

Nora in Denver notices her cat, Biscuit, licking under his tail the evening after the vet expressed his impacted glands. She sets up a quiet bed near his litter box and checks on him the next morning. The licking has eased, but she spots a small swelling on one side, so she calls the clinic. The vet finds an early infection and starts antibiotics and pain relief.

Common mistake Why it matters Better approach
Giving human pain medicine Acetaminophen can kill cats Use only vet-prescribed medicine
Expressing glands at home PetMD warns unneeded expression can cause scarring Leave it to a veterinary professional
Ignoring a new swelling May be an abscess forming Call your vet promptly
Stopping antibiotics early Infection may return Finish the full course

What most owners get wrong

Many owners see a cat in pain after glands expressed and assume the procedure caused the problem. Often the glands were already inflamed, which is why they needed attention. The key is to watch whether things improve each day and to treat the cause behind the gland trouble.

Cat in Pain After Glands Expressed: FAQs

Is it normal for a cat to scoot after glands are expressed?

A little scooting or licking for a short time can happen. If it continues or gets worse, the glands may still be full or infected, so call your vet.

How long is a cat sore after anal gland expression?

There is no set timeline. Mild soreness would be expected to improve day by day. Ask your vet what to expect for your cat, especially if the glands were impacted or infected.

Can I give my cat pain medicine at home?

Only medicine your vet prescribes. Human pain relievers such as acetaminophen are dangerous for cats.

Why does my cat smell fishy after expression?

Anal sac fluid has a strong, fishy smell. A little odor can linger briefly, but foul discharge, pus or blood needs a vet check.

Do cats need their glands expressed regularly?

Most do not. PetMD says healthy cats rarely need it, while VCA notes some cats with recurring problems benefit from routine expression by a professional.

What does an anal gland abscess look like on a cat?

VCA describes a swelling beside the anus that may burst and drain bloody or sticky discharge. It needs veterinary treatment.

Can I express my cat’s glands myself?

PetMD advises leaving it to, or doing it under the supervision of, a veterinary professional.

Final Verdict: Cat in Pain After Glands Expressed

A cat in pain after glands expressed may have mild soreness that improves day by day. Offer rest and a nearby litter box, give only vet-prescribed medicine, and stop heavy licking. Call your vet for swelling, blood, pus, straining, hiding or not eating, and work together on the cause behind the gland problem.

Your next steps

  1. Check under your cat’s tail once or twice a day until the area looks normal.
  2. Learn the subtle signs in our guide to signs your cat is in pain but hiding it.
  3. Book a recheck if your vet asked for one, and ask about diet and weight.

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About the author: Written and reviewed by the Pets Store Home Editorial Team, a group of pet owners and animal lovers who check every guide against trusted US veterinary sources. This article is general information, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always contact your own vet about your cat’s symptoms.

How we checked this guide: Anal sac anatomy, disease signs, treatment and surgery information come from VCA Animal Hospitals. Expression advice, causes and prevention come from PetMD (Jamie Lovejoy, DVM). Pain signs come from a VCA guide and the Feline Grimace Scale as reported by the AVMA.

Medication safety comes from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, and warm-compress notes from VCA and Cats.com. Timing and “likely meaning” notes in our tables are editorial guidance, not a diagnosis. We review this article every 12 months, or sooner if guidance changes.

Last reviewed: October 2026.