What's going on when a cat rubs its butt on the ground?

A cat rubbing its butt on the ground may be due to reasons such as inflamed anal glands, skin diseases, parasite infections, unclean buttocks, and more. Additionally, some cats, out of boredom or to attract their owner's attention, may exhibit behaviors like rubbing their butt, rolling around on the ground, or facing their butt towards their owner. It is recommended that owners take their cat to a pet hospital promptly when they notice this behavior, and use targeted medication after diagnosis.

Anal gland inflammation

If a cat's anal glands are not cleaned for a long time, they can become inflamed. This discomfort prompts the cat to frequently rub its butt on the ground to alleviate the discomfort. Owners can try pressing on the cat's anal area at 4 and 8 o'clock positions simultaneously to see if any anal gland fluid flows out. If fluid flows out, it may be caused by anal gland inflammation, and it's time to express the anal glands for the cat.

Skin diseases

Cats with skin diseases may also rub their butts on the ground due to itchiness. Owners should check if there's any hair loss or crusting around the cat's buttocks. If so, it might be caused by a skin disease. It's time to consult a pet doctor for medication.

Parasite infection

If a cat is not regularly dewormed, it is prone to parasite infections. These infections make the cat feel extremely itchy and uncomfortable, leading it to rub its butt on the ground to alleviate the discomfort. Therefore, owners must regularly deworm their cats both internally and externally, which can effectively prevent parasite infections and related complications.

Unclean buttocks

Cats are clean animals, and if their fur gets stained with feces or there's residual feces around their anus, they will rub their butts on the ground to remove the feces. Owners should carefully observe the areas and items the cat has rubbed against to see if there's any residual feces. If so, clean it promptly to prevent bacterial and viral proliferation.

Attracting attention from the owner

Some cats, when feeling bored, will attract their owner's attention by behaviors like rubbing their butt, rolling around on the ground, or facing their butt towards their owner. If this is the case, owners need to spend more time with their cats and play with them more.