Cat Hemorrhoids: Why Cats Get Anal Swelling and What Helps
By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD ·
True hemorrhoids are rare in cats. When you see swelling, bleeding, or pain around your cat's bottom, the cause is usually an anal sac problem, constipation, or a prolapse. Learning how to treat cat hemorrhoids starts with finding out which of these is actually happening, because the treatments are very different.
This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.
Quick Answer
- Real hemorrhoids (swollen veins inside or outside the anus) are uncommon in cats. Most "hemorrhoid" swelling is an inflamed or impacted anal sac, a rectal prolapse, or irritation from straining.
- Straining in the litter box is the most common sign owners notice. It can come from constipation, diarrhea, colitis, or a narrowing of the rectum.
- Do not squeeze, lance, or apply human hemorrhoid creams to your cat's bottom. These products are not made for cats and can cause harm.
- A cat who cannot pass stool, is crying in the box, or has tissue sticking out of the anus needs to be seen the same day.
- Most causes improve with veterinary treatment, and surgery for anal sac disease in cats is generally safe with a good outcome [1].
What Is Actually Happening When a Cat Has "Hemorrhoids"?
In people, hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anal canal. In cats, that specific problem is rarely diagnosed. What owners usually see is one of three things.
The first is anal sac disease. Cats have two small sacs on either side of the anus that hold a smelly fluid. These sacs can become impacted, infected, or inflamed. On ultrasound, normal anal sacs in cats are usually oval and similar on both sides [2]. When one looks different, that points to disease.
The second is straining-related swelling. When a cat pushes hard and often, the tissue around the anus can look red, puffy, or irritated. The swelling is a symptom, not the disease itself.
The third is rectal prolapse. This is when the inside of the rectum slides out through the anus. It looks like a pink or red tube. This is a true emergency and cannot be treated at home.
Some cats have a rectal stricture, which is a narrowing of the rectum. One young cat with a stricture had rectal tenesmus (the constant feeling of needing to go) and pain when passing stool [3]. That cat was treated successfully with balloon dilation [3].
Signs Owners Notice
Watch for these clues around the litter box and your cat's rear end.
- Scooting across the floor
- Licking or biting at the bottom more than usual
- Straining with little or no stool produced
- Crying or vocalizing while in the box
- Small amounts of bright red blood on stool or on the fur
- A visible lump, swelling, or pink tissue near the anus
- Foul smell from the rear end
- Dropping stool outside the box
- Hiding, pacing, or refusing food
Some of these signs overlap with other problems. A cat with a swollen, painful abdomen may have a different issue entirely, so it helps to know the difference between Why Is My Cat's Belly Swollen? and swelling that is limited to the rear end.
Pain in cats is often subtle. A cat who is uncomfortable may just move less or sit differently. If you are unsure whether your cat is hurting, Cat Arthritis: How to Tell If Your Cat Is in Pain explains the quiet signs.
Causes and Risk Factors
Several conditions can cause swelling, pain, or bleeding around the anus. The table below compares the most common ones.
| Cause | Typical signs | How urgent is it? |
|---|---|---|
| Anal sac impaction or infection | Scooting, licking, swelling on one or both sides, odor | Routine visit, sooner if painful |
| Constipation | Hard dry stool, straining, infrequent bowel movements | Routine, same day if no stool for 2 days |
| Colitis or inflammatory bowel disease | Diarrhea, mucus, blood, straining | Routine visit |
| Rectal stricture | Narrow stool, long-term straining, pain | Routine visit with imaging |
| Rectal prolapse | Pink tissue sticking out of the anus | Emergency |
| Tumor or mass | Firm lump, weight loss, bleeding | Same day |
Anal sac disease is one of the more common reasons for rear-end problems in cats. A review of eight cats treated with anal sac removal for non-cancerous disease found that half had minor complications, including some trouble passing stool, but none became permanently incontinent [1].
Colitis is another frequent cause of straining and blood. One cat with a long history of bloody, mucusy diarrhea and straining was found to have granulomatous colitis linked to E. coli, confirmed on biopsy and culture [4]. That case shows how a gut problem can show up as rear-end signs.
Age and body weight matter too. In cats, anal sac size increases with age, and there is a link between body weight and sac size [2]. Older or heavier cats may be more likely to develop anal sac problems.
How It Is Diagnosed
Your veterinarian will start with a full history. They will ask about litter box habits, diet, stool consistency, and how long the problem has been going on.
The physical exam is the most important step. Your vet will check your cat's rear end, feel the anal sacs, and look for a mass, prolapse, or stricture. This exam is quick and usually well tolerated.
Depending on what they find, they may recommend:
- Rectal exam with a gloved finger to check for narrowing or masses
- Ultrasound of the anal sacs, which can show shape, content, and size differences between the two sides [2]
- Blood work and fecal testing to rule out infection, parasites, and metabolic disease
- X-rays with contrast dye, which can locate and measure a stricture [3]
- Colonoscopy with biopsy if colitis is suspected [4]
Colonoscopy is generally safe, but it is not risk-free. A 15-year-old cat developed a serious complication during colonoscopy for a distal colonic stricture and could not be saved [5]. Your vet will weigh the benefits against the risks for your cat's age and health.
How to Treat Cat Hemorrhoids and the Real Causes Behind Them
Treatment depends on the diagnosis. There is no single home remedy that covers all of these conditions.
If the Problem Is Anal Sacs
For mild impaction, your vet can express the sacs manually. If there is infection, they may prescribe antibiotics and pain medication. Your vet will calculate the dose based on your cat's weight and health.
For repeated or severe anal sac disease, surgery to remove the sacs may be recommended. In cats, this procedure is considered safe, with a median surgical time of 35 minutes and a median hospital stay of 1.5 days [1]. Minor short-term complications occurred in half of the cats in one review, but no cat had permanent fecal incontinence and no long-term complications were recorded [1].
If the Problem Is Constipation
Your vet may recommend more water intake, a high-fiber or prescription diet, and sometimes medication to soften stool. Never give your cat human laxatives or stool softeners unless your vet tells you to. Some are toxic to cats.
If the Problem Is Colitis
Colitis treatment often includes diet change, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory drugs. In one cat with E. coli-associated granulomatous colitis, an 8-week course of marbofloxacin plus a hydrolyzed protein diet and a 5-day course of fenbendazole produced partial improvement, though signs later returned [4]. This shows that colitis can be managed but sometimes needs long-term care.
If the Problem Is a Stricture
A rectal stricture can be treated with balloon dilation. One 8-month-old cat with a stricture had complete resolution after a single balloon dilation procedure, with no recurrence in the following months [3]. This is a specialized procedure done under anesthesia.
If the Problem Is a Prolapse
A prolapse needs to be pushed back into place by a veterinarian, usually under sedation or anesthesia. The underlying cause (often straining from constipation, diarrhea, or parasites) must also be treated or the prolapse will return.
What Not to Do at Home
- Do not apply human hemorrhoid creams, ointments, or suppositories to your cat.
- Do not squeeze or poke at swollen anal sacs.
- Do not try to push a prolapse back in yourself.
- Do not wait more than a day or two if your cat is straining and nothing is coming out.
Recovery, Outlook, and Long-Term Management
Most cats recover well once the correct cause is treated.
After anal sac surgery, expect a short hospital stay and a few days of rest at home [1]. Your vet will give you instructions on incision care and activity limits.
After balloon dilation for a stricture, the cat in one report had no recurrence over several months [3]. Long-term monitoring is still wise because the original cause may not be fully known.
For colitis, recovery can take weeks to months. Some cats need a prescription diet for life. Relapses are possible, as seen in the cat whose signs returned five months after treatment [4].
For constipation, long-term management usually means diet changes, plenty of fresh water, and sometimes daily medication. Keeping your cat at a healthy weight also helps, since body weight is linked to anal sac size in cats [2].
If your cat has other ongoing pain or mobility issues, those can affect posture and straining too. Cat Arthritis: How to Tell If Your Cat Is in Pain covers what to watch for.
Prevention
You cannot prevent every cause of anal swelling, but you can lower the risk.
- Keep your cat hydrated. Water fountains and wet food help.
- Feed a balanced diet with the right amount of fiber for your cat.
- Keep your cat at a healthy weight.
- Scoop the litter box daily so you notice changes in stool early.
- Schedule routine vet visits, especially for senior cats.
- Treat diarrhea and constipation promptly instead of waiting.
- Ask your vet about anal sac checks at annual exams.
Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian
Home care has real limits here. You cannot tell an anal sac infection from a prolapse or a mass just by looking. And some of these conditions get worse quickly.
Contact your veterinarian the same day if your cat:
- Has a visible lump or swelling that is new or growing
- Is straining in the litter box for more than a few minutes
- Has blood in the stool or on the fur around the anus
- Has not passed stool in 24 to 48 hours
- Is crying or vocalizing when trying to go
- Has diarrhea lasting more than 2 days
Go to an emergency clinic right away if your cat:
- Has pink or red tissue sticking out of the anus (prolapse)
- Is unable to pass any stool or urine
- Is vomiting repeatedly along with straining
- Is collapsed, weak, or unresponsive
- Has a swollen, painful belly along with rear-end signs
For belly swelling that is not limited to the rear end, see Cat Swollen Belly Causes and Why Is My Cat's Belly Swollen?.
Every cat is different. Your veterinarian needs to examine your cat to know what is really going on and what treatment is safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use human hemorrhoid cream on my cat?
No. Human hemorrhoid creams contain ingredients that are not tested or approved for cats and can cause irritation or toxicity. Call your veterinarian or a pet poison control hotline before putting anything on your cat's bottom.
Is anal swelling in cats always serious?
No, but it always deserves a look. Mild anal sac impaction can be treated in one visit. A prolapse or a mass is more serious and needs faster care.
Will my cat need surgery for anal sac problems?
Not always. Many cats improve with manual expression, antibiotics, and diet changes. Surgery is usually reserved for cats with repeated or severe disease, and the procedure has a good safety record in cats.
Can constipation cause hemorrhoid-like swelling in cats?
Yes. Straining from constipation can make the tissue around the anus look red and puffy. Treating the constipation usually resolves the swelling.
How long does recovery take after treatment?
It depends on the cause. After anal sac surgery, most cats are home within a day or two and recover over a week or so. Colitis can take weeks to months to control. Your vet will give you a timeline based on your cat's specific diagnosis.
Related Articles
- Why Is My Cat's Belly Swollen?
- Cat Ear Infection with Swelling: What to Do and When to Worry
- Cat Swollen Belly Causes
- Why Is My Cat Limping?
- Cat Arthritis: How to Tell If Your Cat Is in Pain
- Cat Limping: Arthritis or Something Else? How to Tell
- Cat Pooping Blood: Causes and What to Do Next
- Cat Poop Stuck in Anus: Why It Happens and What to Do
- Blood in Cat Poop: Causes, Urgency, and What to Do
References
- Outcomes and complications of anal sacculectomy for non-neoplastic anal sac disease in cats: 8 cases (2006-2019). The Journal of small animal practice, 2022.
- Ultrasound Morphology of Presumed Normal Anal Sacs in Dogs and Cats. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2024.
- Management of a rectal stricture in a young cat with a balloon dilatation method. Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe K, Kleintiere/Heimtiere, 2026.
- Repeat histopathology and culture of colonic biopsy specimens after treatment for Escherichia coli-associated granulomatous colitis in a cat. JFMS open reports, 2023.
- Anaesthetic Challenges During Colonoscopy-Induced Intestinal Perforation in a Cat. Veterinary sciences, 2026.