Cats anal glands

Question
What are some of the warning signs that a cat is due for anal gland expression?  My cat will empty them when she is startled sometimes with little to no indication that her glands were due.

Answer
Cat and Dog anal glands are small sacks on either side of the rectum that secrete a very pungent odor.  They are used by the animal in a similar manner as skunk spray.  A pet's stool should be very firm and on the large size.  When that happens a little bit of anal gland material is secreted by the animal every times it moves it's bowels.  The odor lingers and lets other animals know that your pet was there.  Consider it a calling card to mark it's territory.

Unfortunately when a cat is excited or frightened it also can empty it's glands.  This can be done by the animal both voluntary and involuntary.  The odor and stain from the gland material get's left on your walls, carpet, furniture and sometimes even on you!  This odor does linger for quite some time.  I use rubbing alcohol to wipe up the stain and remove the odor.  It is very inexpensive and very effective.  Waterless hand sanitizer contains a high content of alcohol and also does the same thing.

If an cat develops full anal glands they have to be expressed by your Veterinarian or Groomer.  I express all glands externally.  I located the gland and empty it on the outside of the rectum.  A Veterinarian will do an internal expression.  A gloved finger is reached into the rectum and the gland is expressed from the inside.  The internal method is a little more effective but if there is not an ongoing problem, the external method serves the purpose just fine.  Glands should not be allowed to get overly full.  If they become clogged then an infection or an  impaction (a clog that eventually will abscess)may possibly occur. These are urgent situations requiring Veterinary care.  When the gland is expressed gland material should be observed for any abnormalities including blood.  This can be an early signal of cancer.

It sounds like your cat is expressing it's glands in a perfectly normal fashion.  Gland material can be produced  fairly quickly after it is expressed.  Expressing it's gland in the situations you describe do not mean the glands are overly full.  It primarily shows that the glands are operating normally.

I would suggest that your best defense is a good offense.  You might plan to have your cat's glands expressed on a routine basis.  I would suggest marking your calendar for once a month to start.  If this helps with this issue then I would continue it indefinitely.  If it doesn't help then you might try less of an interval between gland expressions.

I hope this answers your question.  It seems your cat is perfectly normal, it just has one stinky little habit.  Good luck!