Walking, which is the polite term for a pet dragging its rear across the floor, is most often seen in dogs, but cats sometimes walk by as well. This usually means that a cat’s rear end is itchy or irritated. a little detective work can help you get to the bottom of the cause behind all that cat movement.
1. the cat runs because of the worms
one of the most common reasons cats drag themselves is intestinal parasites. “tapeworms is what i often think about,” says cynthia karsten, dvm, outreach veterinarian for the koret shelter medicine program at the university of california, davis, school of veterinary medicine companion animal health center. other parasites can also cause itching and spasm. With tapeworms, you might see evidence in your cat’s poop (tapeworms look like grains of white rice), but some parasites can’t be seen with the naked eye. other signs of a parasite infestation include diarrhea or constipation, weight loss, and a bloated stomach.
2. allergies
If your cat has allergies that cause itchy skin, the itching could spread to all areas of the body, including the bottom. Although cat allergies may be caused by an intolerance to certain proteins in food, environmental allergies are more common in cats. “with dogs we think about diet”, dr. says karsten. “Cats just don’t seem to have the same food allergies as dogs, so it’s not as common.” environmental allergies in cats can be caused by dust, pollen, mold, mites, and even fleas.
3. anal gland problems
Cats seem to have fewer anal gland problems than dogs. That being said, cat movement could indicate problems with your cat’s anal glands. the anal glands are two small internal sacs placed on either side of the anus. the glands produce an acrid fluid that is likely a territory marking mechanism. “They should, if they’re okay, express themselves every time the animal poops,” says dr. karsten says.
Sometimes the inflammation prevents this fluid from being expelled when the cat poops. instead, it accumulates within the two sacs, where it can become very thick, like a paste. “When they’re uncomfortable, we see the pet slide because the animal can’t get there, so the best thing they can do is try to wiggle their butt,” says dr. karsten explains. “Bacteria from the stool can travel into the sac, but are usually shed when the sacs are passed. if they’re affected and the bacteria gets in there, then they can get an infection and then possibly even an abscess.”
what to do about crawling cats
If your cat is slipping, it’s time to visit the vet to find out what’s causing it. Your vet will do a complete physical exam, looking for signs of parasites, itchy skin, or problems with the anal glands. “the vet will likely want to do a fecal test and possibly a good deworming, especially if there is diarrhea,” says dr. karsten advises. “He or she will also check for any type of perianal or vulvar inflammation infection. yeast can be very itchy. your vet might want to get a Pap smear from that area.”
Treatment for cat slippage depends on the cause. deworming should take care of any irritating parasites. If the anal glands appear impacted or infected, your vet will remove them and possibly treat them with medication. allergies can be more difficult to address, but once the cause of the allergies is identified, your vet will be able to prescribe the appropriate treatment to soothe the itching and stop your cat from moving for good.
tell us: have you ever witnessed a cat move? what turned out to be the cause?
thumbnail: photo © globalp | stock.
This article was originally published on January 4, 2018.
read more about cat health care at catster.com:
- Why do cats purr? cat purrs don’t always mean your kitty is happy
- 7 things to know about hyperthyroidism in cats
- rubbing a cat: why you shouldn’t do it and how to hold a cat the right way
