What else can I do? RE: Scooting

Napoleon for the past few weeks has had a "scooting" problem. He will poop, then drag his butt across the floor. When he does it on the floor, it's not so much a problem, but he's been doing it on rugs, furniture and our bed...have had to clean house a bunch of times. And the problem doesn't seem to get any better.

Now, in the past month we've had him checked for parasites (all negative, thought it might be an itchy butt thing), and his anal glands were expressed (though the vet said it was nothing)...since those are the two major reasons I can find for scooting, does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can help him change this strange behavior? Thanks!

If he is long hair clip his hair near his rectum as they sometimes get captured inside and cause problems. Personally though, I would find another vet and get a second opinion. Scooting is not a normal behavior, it could be worms (missed the first time) impaction, obstruction, blocked anal glands or some other health concern.

Is his poop soft?! If it is it could possibly be worms that was missed! When Willow was scooting, I spoke to my vet and they gave him a dose of dewormer to make sure!

Or it could be something else that's causing his poop to be soft - food or something?!

I hope you get it sorted soon - I know how icky and annoying it can be!

My cat scoots due to a constipation problem. He doesn't have worms, his anal glands do tend to get impacted occasionally, his butt gets sore from pooping. It doesn't happen all the time, I'm aware of it, the vet is aware of it. We haven't found a perfect solution yet, and have tried diet and prednisone, and laxatives.

Originally Posted by Lucius&Cissa

My cat scoots due to a constipation problem. He doesn't have worms, his anal glands do tend to get impacted occasionally, his butt gets sore from pooping. It doesn't happen all the time, I'm aware of it, the vet is aware of it. We haven't found a perfect solution yet, and have tried diet and prednisone, and laxatives.

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Would anyone know if his butt would be sore from pooping too MUCH? He poops not only many times during the day, but in *great quantity* (sorry, TMI LOL). We bought some new food today, to see if his tummy tolerates it better, I wouldn't be surprised if it was kitty IBS or something. Thanks for all the advice!

I can tell his bottom is sore because he has whitish areas on his rectum (his poops are hard and round) and I think it stretches him a bit. I use an ointment occasionally. I tried psyllium yesterday, and his poop was bigger, but then also a mushy bit (probably fromthe psyllium.) I think he alternates naturally from hard to soft. It's obviously a bit of an IBS situation (I think at least.) Since I have 3 cats, feeding gets to be difficult and he's the fat one, prefers the dry food (but does eat wet too,) and just likes to cause problems...lol. He's also the most snuggly and loving of the group, of course.

BLUE MONDAY - Are you giving him milk? That can cause the symptoms... they don't need it at all, water is fine.

Originally Posted by Larke

BLUE MONDAY - Are you giving him milk? That can cause the symptoms... they don't need it at all, water is fine.

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Nope no milk -- I am a lifelong cat owner...I know milk causes more harm than good in cats

Originally Posted by blue_monday_88

He poops not only many times during the day, but in *great quantity* !

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My sister's dog had a similar problem, her vet suggested giving bran in his food. Now for most of us, bran would seem like a strange thing to give, as many humans use it to avoid constipation, but in actual fact what it does is regulate the workings of the gut, so it might be worth asking your vet about it?

I too have a cat who poops a lot, she used to produce disgusting poops, they are now at least solid, although they stink a lot! She is better now, but when she used to get really bad I would put her on a boiled chicken diet for a couple of days, this would 'bung her up' a bit and give her gut a rest. She liked this kind of medicine!!!

Best of luck with your cat, you will find the answer to this you know!

Sue

Originally Posted by blue_monday_88

Nope no milk -- I am a lifelong cat owner...I know milk causes more harm than good in cats

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What harm does milk cause in cats ? I don't let mine have it very often but sometimes they appear out of nowhere when you have a glass of milk or a bowl of cereal

I have to agree with Hissy. Worms can some times be missed in the float test. I would ask about deworming any way. At our shelter every cat gets dewormed because it is not harmful & it's better be safe than sorry. My Levi has to have his anal glands expressed regularly. He's never had an infection, but that is because I'm vigilant about it, but I know that if they get infected & plugged it can cause big problems.

Originally Posted by Alessandra

What harm does milk cause in cats ? I don't let mine have it very often but sometimes they appear out of nowhere when you have a glass of milk or a bowl of cereal

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Most cats are lactose intolerant and cannot handle it...it gives them *the runs*.

Is your kitty a little pudgy? Mine is a little round and cant clean her rear end very well after she uses the litter box. Because of her IBD, her stools are soft and can create a little mess. Her scooting was a way of cleaning her backside yuck.
If your vet has ruled out anal glands, and other problems.. I would see if this is the issue. Bella also scoots more when I dont brush her b/c her stools are more hairy and just cause problems as well.

Originally Posted by jettafer99

Is your kitty a little pudgy? Mine is a little round and cant clean her rear end very well after she uses the litter box. Because of her IBD, her stools are soft and can create a little mess. Her scooting was a way of cleaning her backside yuck.
If your vet has ruled out anal glands, and other problems.. I would see if this is the issue. Bella also scoots more when I dont brush her b/c her stools are more hairy and just cause problems as well.

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He is a big boy, but not "pudgy." In fact, my girl Cassie is "full figured" and fluffier and can clean her butt well! Napoleon on the other hand, does tend to have runnier stools (I think it might be a food allergy, so maybe IBS isn't too far from the truth) and while I think he cleans himself very well, his butt tends to be what he avoids. I think that may be a reason why he scoots. Thanks Jettafer!