Anonymous

My 11 year old spayed female cat is constantly washing her bum. It started a few months ago and I can’t get her to stop.

We visited a vet for vaccinations a while back and she said it was her scent glands and not to worry but it has been going on for months now and I’m getting concerned. Any advice?

Anonymous

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Hi…. I am surprised that your vet simply said, “It was her scent glands..” without qualifying that because cats don’t lick the openings to their scent glands excessively unless there is something wrong and/or an irritation.

She is licking her “bum”. The general area of her anus and scent glands

The area is irritating her, therefore. I’ll quote what the Cat Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook

says on this subject.

“Signs of anal and rectal disease…are licking repeatedly at the rear”.

If there is pain the cat will often try and defecate standing upright. Is this happening?

Inflammed anus and rectum can cause the cat to lick the rear. Inflammation can be caused by hard stools or repeated diarrhea.

Anal sac infection can cause the cat to lick her rear more than usual. Other signs are swelling on one or both sides of the anus and blood/pus in the anal sac secretions. Cat might scoot (drag bottom along ground by lifting back legs and pulling on forelegs).

Anal sac abscess can cause excessively licking at her rear. Swelling at the site of the gland might be apparent.

It might be stress related overgrooming. See feline endocrine alopecia.

It might be a response to an irritation in the groin area due to an allergic reaction.

Comments from visitors welcome.

I hope this helps a bit.

My cat is licking her rear excessively to Cat Health Problems