Question from Shellie Masters
My cat seems to have white spots on her bottom and is licking her bum alot more than usual, also she is pooing outside of her box, any ideas? She is about 11 years old. Thanks
Answer from Shanika our Online Vet
Hi Shellie,
Thanks for your question regarding your cat licking her bottom more, white spots that you have noticed on her bottom and the change to her toileting habits.
All the points that you have mentioned can be individual issues or linked as will hopefully become clear as I go into answering your question.
What are the white spots on my cat’s bottom?
The exact location of the spots will help us to work out what the spots are, the bottom itself is made up of skin which has one large opening through which the poo is passed and then two smaller openings( at 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock positions) which are where the anal sacs open via their ducts ( tube). Anal sacs are lined by glands which produce a rather smelly substance that is normally passed in small amounts every time your pet does a poo, this anal sac liquid forms part of the scent that shows cats who has been around the territory. Anal sacs can get blocked or infected, this can sometimes appear as white spots on the bottom and also lead to increased licking due to the resulting irritation.
Your vet can empty the anal sacs by applying gentle pressure which may relieve the problem, if there is infection antibiotic treatment may be needed.
Tape worm segments are another possibility for the presence of white spots around a cats bottom, tape worms are a parasite that live inside the gut and release small segments as part of their means of spreading. These small segments of tape worm when dry can appear like a small grain of white rice, when fresh they look more like a small piece of flattened pasta ( can be seen to move when looked at closely).
Tape worms and other parasites can be treated using appropriate medication form your vet.
Parasitic infections can cause irritation around the bottom which can lead to increased cleaning/licking. A less obvious cause for such licking is flea allergic dermatitis (FAD). FAD can often be seen as increased grooming and areas of hair loss along the back and inside of the hind legs.
Polyps and or growths on or around the bottom can appear as white spots and may also lead to increased licking of the affected area.
What other reasons may be causing my cat to lick its bottom and poo outside of its litter box?
Changes to the poo itself either softer or harder than usual can cause irritation and increased licking along with toileting outside of the litter box. Loose or soft faeces may be related to diet changes, stress and or internal disease of organs and or the gut itself.
Another possible cause of toileting disturbances including passing poo outside of the litter box is stress.
So what could be causing your cat to feel stressed?
Changes to the home environment can cause an increase in stress levels to your cat, such changes include moving home, new member to the family ( human and or furry), diet changes, cat litter type change, moving the litter box or changing it altogether and pain such as arthritis.
Cats are creatures of habit and changes to their routine/home can be very difficult for them to deal with and sadly this may often show up as toileting problems. It is really important to watch closely what exactly your cat is doing and discuss this in detail with your vet who will try to come up with a plan to help your cat. Simply returning things to how they were is not always enough sometimes medications and or pheromone treatments may be of use.
Pain should be taken into consideration when a cat has toileting problems. Cats are masters at hiding their pain until it becomes quite severe. Arthritis can make it difficult for cats to get in and out of their litter box or get into a position in which they can go to the toilet which may result in poo being passed outside of the box.
So as you can see your question has raised many very interesting points as regards your cat’s behavioural and physical changes. I hope that my answer has gone some way to help you and your cat and that with the assistance of a visit to your vet your cat is soon feeling much better.
Shanika Winters MRCVS
Discussion
My kitten is about 3-4 weeks old he has two white spots on his bottyhole and it is extended out.
I’m not sure what you mean by “extended out” – I’d be worried that this weas a sign of a prolapse, and if the rectal tissue is protruding outside the anus, then this is a veterinary emergency!
My cat has white two white dots on her bum. They smell really bad. I took her to the vet a week ago and they gave her a anti tapeworm injection. It took away the smell for maybe 2 days and she smells really bad again. I never noticed tapeworms in her poo which is why I was surprised they told me she had them. What should I tell the vet when I take her? I doubt my cat has tapeworms so I hope they don’t try to inject that stuff into her again.
I definitely agree to go back and get it checked; it might be tapeworms, but if the medication was effective, they will have gone. Other things to consider might be anal gland problems, so definitely worth another vet visit!
Hi. My cat is pregnant and some white fluid is coming out of her bum. She doesn’t seem to be in any pain. Is it something serious to be concerned about?
If it is indeed coming out of the pores next to her anus rather than her vulva, it might just be her anal glands; if however there is any question over whether it’s a vaginal secretion, or indeed where it’s coming from, I would suggest a vet check sooner rather than later.
Hello, my grandma’s kitten bum is dry and he has a white stuff coming out of it’s butthole. What is the kitten’s problem? And how can I help him? Are there home remedies I can do? The kitten’s attitude hasn’t change, he’s still active and always hungry according to my grandma even though she just fed him.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to say – it might well just be anal gland fluid, in which case it will be oozing from two small holes on either side of the anus, and is quite normal. If you’re certain it’s coming from the anus, I think checking in with your vet might be a good idea.
Hello!! I have two cats one is a boy and another one is girl… So the problem is that recently my female kittens personal place ( where the poop come) there is some yellowish white colour liquid coming and the place has became a swollen. What should i do and what is the cause of this?
I assume you’re talking about your cat’s anus; if so, this might well be a sign of an infected or impacted anal gland. This requires veterinary attention to flush and clean the gland, and usually antibiotics to treat the infection.
Hello,
First time cat owner of 3. I have an 8 month old female cat. I just notice today that she is sleeping more than she usually does, has not eaten at all today and has some clear jelly like substance coming from her bottom…. What could it be she doesn’t look to be in any sort of pain…
This is most likely mucus, although there are other possibilities; it could be a mild gastrointestinal upset, or an anal gland problem; if it doesn’t resolve in a few days, or if she develops any other symptoms, I’d definitely get her checked out on the “just in case” front.
My cat was in IV drips and some more injection for the past 5 days. He also has diarrhea. He has low appetite and barely eats anything. Most of the time he sleeps. The only food we gave is boiled chicken which was recommended by the vet. His poop is mustard color and watery.
If he’s not improving despite treatment, I think it might be a good idea to have a chat to the vet and see if more diagnostic tests are needed to see what’s going on. For example, are there any intestinal parasites (Tritrichomonas foetus, for example), is there a bacterial infection (like Salmonella), have tests for feline enteritis been done, etc etc. Good luck with him!
My cat has white stuff that looks like dandruff and he is licking himself a lot but it is on top not on the bottom side
Unfortunately, that is a very non-specific sign of skin irritation: causes include parasites (fleas and mites), allergic reactions, skin infections like ringworm, potentially even dietary deficiencies. Definitely time for a vet check!
Hello my cat has increasingly been licking her butt. When I went closer to her I noticed white/ clearish pus was coming out of her butt uncontrollably. She continues to lick it and more started to come out. What should I do? She was sick for the last week, she did not eat or drink and she was hospitalized. Now she’s better and eating and drinking again. Maybe her body is reacting to receiving food?
It sounds like she might have anal gland issues (this sounds like how it can present in cats) – but I would advise a vet check to see if there’s a problem, or if it is just due to changed faeceal consistency during illness and will go away in time.
Hello, my cat having some red mark. On his bottom and its releasing some black liquid,
Is there any any infection and she is pregnant, and going to poop more then time as usual ,suggest me some medicine
Black liquid from a red mark near the anus might just be anal glands, but it could also be an abscess – I’d definitely recommend a vet check, especially if she’s pregnant.
Prescribing of medication is the job of your vet once he or she has examined your cat; it is both illegal under UK law and also dangerous to give medication without a proper clinical assessment of the patient.
My kitten has this bubble right next to his bum and when I press on it, poop/farther releases from his bum. I don’t know what it is and I can’t seem to identify it online. Please help.
One possibility might be a swollen anal gland – however, it’s definitely vet time if that’s happening!
Hi,
My 5 month old male kitten has recently been excreting a white gooey substance from his anus which began in the last 24hrs. He’s not neutered and his behaviour hasn’t changed from his usual self. Is there anything to worry about?
While this can be a sign of worms, it could also be normal anal gland fluid; as he’s entering puberty, this may have triggered activation of these scent glands just on either side of his anus. If you’re worried, I’d ask your practice vet nurse or equivalent to take a look, but if he’s absolutely fine otherwise, and he’s up to date with worming, I think keeping a close eye to make sure those glands don’t get gummed up is the best bet. If anything changes, obviously give your vet a ring, but I suspect it’s just his anal glands firing up!
I noticed today that the kitten I have has 2 anuses and a pee hole. I can send you a picture. You won’t believe it until you see it.
It’s not anal sac disease. Or a puncture. Its 2 sphincter on top of another. I do believe this is unheard of.
My little kitten all of a sudden had a white bump around her bum along with dried skin, I thought tapeworms are first, however it not the case.
There are other causes, including impacted anal glands – I’d suggest a vet check to see what’s going on!
Hi my 6month cat had a problem… That is white liquid is coming from her anus.. is that cause any health issue to her?? Is this liquid can cause any infection to human? Please help me to cure her problem…
That might be anal gland secretion, which is normal, but I’d suggest a vet check to be sure what it is.
My cat is 2 months old and when she pops its pop is so hard and little amount of blood starts flowing through her anus . Her anus is also turned black when blood stated drying.
Seek veterinary attention now.
I have noticed when my cat stands up she leave small dots where she has veen laying. I thought it might have just been from being in the grass but i just noticed they were coming from her butt! Is this what blocked anal glands are like or sonething different?
It could be an anal gland infection, but it could also be mild diarrhoea, or most likely of all, a urinary tract issue. If in doubt, get her checked by your vet.
My cat has all of a sudden developed a bald spot the size of a 10p coin next to her anus. She also keeps dragging her bum along the floor after she uses the litter tray. Could this be the cause?
There are a wide range of possible causes – my suspicion would be tapeworms, although other issues such as anal gland disease is also quite possible.
I have a a kitten less than a year old and he has white like marks on his anus and I’m wondering what that could be cuz I’ve see that for a while but it’s like more and more are growing on it should I take him to the vet like what should I do
They might be signs of parasites, anal gland problems, or even polyps or growths. If they’re growing, then definitely a check up with the vet is recommended!
Hi my cat has these strange white dry growths around her anus that partially break off if you try to it take off. Other than that she is a happy cat with no problems.
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to say over the internet what these are! They might be encrustations of worm eggs, or a papilloma, or something very different, but I think you need to get her checked by your vet to determine exactly what’s going on.
Hi my cat has a little white bumps around her butt hole and I never noticed it wasn’t like that two days ago so I’m trying get an idea of what to do and how to go about it
Possible causes include micro-abscesses, polyps, and anal gland discharge, but the most common cause is parasites. However, I would suggest a check up at the vets would be the best way forward, to determine what the problem is, and how to manage it best.
My cat has a small pimple that’s yellowish on his anus and he’s been throwing up and not eating I tried taking him to a vet near by but the line was so long and we were waiting outside in the car with no ac and there were just too many people in front of us he was breathing heavy so we came home
The yellow spot sounds like a small abscess, but the fact that he’s vomiting and not eating is something that really, really needs checking out. It would probably be worth getting in touch with the vet and making an appointment to visit at a particular time so you don’t have to wait in the queue – but definitely get him seen to.
I meant still eats
My kitten has a little swollen but hole with clear discharge an has been pooping on him self maybe pence or twice an he still wars an goes to the bathroom an other then that he is healthy an he is still playing with other kittens
It could be worms, but if there’s a discharge, then an anal gland problem seems more likely. It’s best to get it checked by a veterinary professional to make sure that’s all it is, and then to empty the glands if that’s the problem.
How do you konw if my cat on Herat she is wet down below
If your cat is wet around her back end, I think she needs urgent veterinary attention, as there must be a reason for her to be incontinent.
My cat has a swollen bump in her butt.
Idk wat it is.shes two and it just came the other day.
She’s acting totally normal
Hi Emily, it could be a number of things, and the area it is may even be a cat bite abscess. It would be a good idea to get them to the vet, so it can be checked out.
Hi one of my cats got sick about 5 days ago then my other one got sick and now my other one is currently sick ? Any ideas. When they got sick they threw up like a brown creamy watery substance and their poo is like creamy brownish yellow?
Hi, you really need to take them to your vets for checking over and treatment. The symptoms could be caused by several conditions. Please make an appointment today.
My cat he’s tiny white spot on her tush and tail, they look like dandruff. She also scratches her neck about maybe 1/2 hour after she gets here flea medication every month but I’m more worried about the white dandruff ( hopefully) on her rush. What do you think it actually is. I pray nothing but I’ll wait for the answer!
Hi Su,
The ‘dandruff’ could be exactly that, but it is impossible to tell with examination. We strongly suggest you get her checked at your vets – they may look at the dandruff under a microscope to see if anything else is going on and treat accordingly.
My cat is acting normal except she is not going to bathroom nor eating. She has white dashes around her butt. I have tried giving her lax for cats, but doesn’t appear to be working. Please help!
My kitten (3months old) used the litter box and there was a creamy white spot left where she used it at. What could that be??
It could be mucus if her colon is inflamed or irritated, or worm eggs (although that’s unusual in a kitten that young). Alternatively, it could be something odd she ate. If there’s no obvious cause, best to get a vet check.
Hi Samantha, please speak to your vet – if your cat is not going to the bathroom or eating, they need professional treatment. Please make a call to your vet today, if you haven’t done so.
My youngest cat has little white bits around her bottom area, she doesn’t seem to be cleaning anymore than usual but her stomach is bloated and she sometimes yowls when going to litter tray
Can you shed any light on what it could be please?
Many thanks
Hi Joanne. It’s possible that what you’re seeing around her bottom are tapeworm segments, if she has a bloated tummy too, but she’ll need a check up with your vet to find out exactly what’s going on. They can perform a full exam and give her any appropriate medication to make her feel better. I’d make an appointment soon to get her checked out, especially if she yowls when going to her litter tray, as there’s something that’s causing her discomfort.
I can feel spots on my cats bottom when i stroke her. Any ideas?
Hi Imogen. There could be a number of causes, depending on the location and how they look – possible causes include blocked anal glands (these are located either side of the bottom), or it could be due to skin irritation which could be due to something like parasites or allergy. If they seem to be causing her a problem or seem to have changed in size or appearance, or if she’s in any way unwell in herself, I’d recommend getting her checked over by your vet to find out what’s causing them. It’s also worthwhile making sure all her worming and flea treatments are up-to-date with a veterinary recommended product. I hope she feels much better soon.