Also, as the scent is unique to every cat, they use it to mark their territory.

If you spay or neuter your pet, their drive to mark their territory is greatly reduced. Most desexed cats don’t mark their territory at all. Roughly 10% of males and 5% of females may spray but usually it’s a stress reaction.

So if your pet is spayed or neutered, most likely you won’t be aware of the anal glands. They’re not visible either, as they sit inside the rectum.

In healthy cats, the sacs empty naturally, usually along with a bowel movement. However, if the sacs don’t empty properly, they’re prone to infections and abscesses.

A common sign of trouble is when your pet drags it’s bottom on the ground in an attempt to clear the glands.

They may also over-groom, smell bad, or cry while using the litter tray. Finally, there may be redness, swelling or a blister-like look around the anus.

Anal sac trouble is serious, so if you see any of this, it requires a vet’s attention.