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My cat's anus sticks out when pooping. What should I do now?

Updated on September 23rd, 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 20th, 2018

Thanks for using PetCoach. I’m sorry to hear about Lulu!

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

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