Why Cats Scoot Their Rear End: what should I do first?

The most common cause is overly full, swollen anal sacs (scent glands located on the left and right sides of the anus at the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions). Scooting can also be caused by the discomfort of soft stool or poop tangled in a long-haired cat's rear fur, or itching from intestinal parasites such as tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum), which shed segments that look like white grains of rice around the rear. Before clogged anal sacs become infected and burst through the skin beside the anus—draining blood and pus (anal sac rupture)—have them gently expressed at a veterinary clinic.

What should I avoid doing?

Pulling dried, hardened poop off your cat's rear end forcibly with a dry tissue (this tears the delicate anal mucosa and skin, causing bleeding; always soften it first with cotton soaked in lukewarm water and wipe gently). / Pulling on anything string-like hanging from your cat's anus (if it is swallowed thread, yarn, or plastic, pulling it can tear the intestines—never pull it).

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Why Cats Scoot Their Rear on the Floor: Anal Glands, Fur & Parasites

🚨 Check first

When a cat sits down after using the litter box and pulls themselves forward with only their front legs—dragging and rubbing their rear end across the floor or carpet (scooting)—it is a sign of strong discomfort, itching, or pain around the anus.

📌 The answer in 3 seconds

The most common cause is overly full, swollen anal sacs (scent glands located on the left and right sides of the anus at the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions).
Scooting can also be caused by the discomfort of soft stool or poop tangled in a long-haired cat's rear fur, or itching from intestinal parasites such as tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum), which shed segments that look like white grains of rice around the rear.
Before clogged anal sacs become infected and burst through the skin beside the anus—draining blood and pus (anal sac rupture)—have them gently expressed at a veterinary clinic.

📊 Flowchart

Step 1Visually check around the anus (at the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions) to see if the skin is swollen and red, or if dried clumps of stool or tiny moving white specks resembling sesame seeds or rice grains (tapeworm segments) are stuck to the fur.
Step 2For long-haired cats or senior cats prone to getting stool stuck in their fur, use blunt-tipped pet scissors or quiet mini clippers to trim the fur short within a 2 cm (0.8 in) radius around the anus (a sanitary trim).
Step 3Because trying to squeeze impacted anal glands forcefully at home can cause intense pain and risk rupturing the sac, have a professional express them during a nail trim at your vet or grooming salon.

⭕ Step-by-step fix

Step 1 · What you can do at home right now
Visually check around the anus (at the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions) to see if the skin is swollen and red, or if dried clumps of stool or tiny moving white specks resembling sesame seeds or rice grains (tapeworm segments) are stuck to the fur.
Step 2
For long-haired cats or senior cats prone to getting stool stuck in their fur, use blunt-tipped pet scissors or quiet mini clippers to trim the fur short within a 2 cm (0.8 in) radius around the anus (a sanitary trim).
Step 3
Because trying to squeeze impacted anal glands forcefully at home can cause intense pain and risk rupturing the sac, have a professional express them during a nail trim at your vet or grooming salon.

❌ Never do this

Pulling dried, hardened poop off your cat's rear end forcibly with a dry tissue (this tears the delicate anal mucosa and skin, causing bleeding; always soften it first with cotton soaked in lukewarm water and wipe gently).
Pulling on anything string-like hanging from your cat's anus (if it is swallowed thread, yarn, or plastic, pulling it can tear the intestines—never pull it).

📋 Make notes for the vet

Your notes save automatically on this device, so they stay even without a signal at the clinic.

Your cat

Since when

Symptoms and things to tell the vet

Whether there is swelling on either side of the anus or persistent licking of the rear end.
Whether dried, white sesame-seed-like specks (tapeworm segments) are found on your cat's bedding or around the litter box.

Urine

Stool

Photos and items to bring

Notes (breathing rate, amount eaten, times, etc.)