Excessive Scooting (7 y/o male cat)

Hi there,

I'm posting here for advice since I'm at a dead end.

My beloved 7 year old male indoor cat, Shawnee, started scooting on my carpet over a year ago. He has been scooting across the carpet 4-6 times a day, to no end.

We've been to our vet 4 times for this problem. During each visit he's been tested for worms, had bloodwork done, and had his anal glands and stool samples checked. All of those tests were negative, and not the root of the problem. We then changed his cat food twice, first to an all natural brand, and now to allergy sensitive prescription zd cat food. His scooting has reduced slightly, but still does it 2-4 times a day.

There's been no change in his behavior (still very affectionate and playful) or eating/bathroom patterns, and he doesn't appear to be in any pain. When he scoots, he does not stain the carpet (have to include this gross detail lol).

The vet is suggesting that we go to a specialist for an ultrasound, but this will cost $700 (my pet insurance won't cover it).

Has anyone else experienced this? What can I do? Is the specialist visit my only option?

Thank you!!!

Hi, and how very strange.  So no impacted or full anal glands?  No anal irritation?  No Constipation?

No impacted or full anal glands, and no irritation. I don't believe that he is constipated (uses the bathroom 1-2x a day).

Hmm, the only times my cat ever does this is when he gets a cling-on or one time his anal sacs needed to be expressed by the vet.
At least Shawnee isn't staining the carpet! :slant:

I'm stumped.  Scooting is so usually and clearly connected to one of those issues.  What about an anti0itch cream or anti inflammatory cream on his butt and see if that helps (under a vets guidance obviously)?

Since no one has mentioned weight... is he overweight? My Shelly was overweight when I first got her back in February, and she used to butt-scoot. She's dropped about a pound and a half, though, & has slimmed down a bit, so she can now reach and clean her behind and, therefore, hasn't scooted in a while.