This pet health content was written by a veterinarian, Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS. It was last reviewed November 20, 2025.

You know the kind of world where your shoulder bag priorities include pockets for poop bags and dog treats, while your pet-less friend only cares about a designer label swinging from her arm?

In my parallel universe, there are often two names for the same thing. Take “dingleberries” and “pseudocoprostasis” as a classic example. Both mean the same thing, but while you nod knowingly at dingleberries, the word pseudocoprostasis tends to leave people blank-faced.

Such is the clash between veterinary science and sensible English. And sometimes, those worlds collide. I may diagnose pseudocoprostasis without blinking, but a recent client worried about “dingleberries” had me scratching my head.

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The Meaning of “Dingleberries”

When a client listed “dingleberries” as the reason for a visit, I kept a straight face and waited for clues. My first guess was some sort of skin tag, since those are pretty common in pets. You can learn more about skin tags on dogs here. The real explanation arrived with the dog and the unmistakable smell drifting ahead of him.

What People Think Dingleberries Are vs What They Actually Mean

• Many owners assume the issue is a benign bump or tag
• The reality is far less charming and much more smelly
• Dingleberries are simply feces tangled in the hair around the anus
• Most pet parents use the term because they are not sure what else to call it

When I finally realized what the client meant, the term pseudocoprostasis slipped out of my mouth, which only made things more confusing. If you want the lighthearted version of the definition, you can learn more about dingleberries here.

Dingleberries and Pseudocoprostasis

The two terms often get used interchangeably. Pseudocoprostasis, however, describes a more advanced and uncomfortable situation.

The Difference Between the Two

• Dingleberries involve small bits of stool stuck to nearby fur
• Pseudocoprostasis usually forms a larger, matted fecal plug
• This plug can block the anus and interfere with normal bathroom habits
• Both conditions share a smell that tends to arrive before the pet does

It may be messy, but the good news is that both issues are easy for a groomer or vet to resolve once spotted.

An Extreme Case of Dingleberries

This quickly became my new favorite word, and I admit I used it at every opportunity. The worst case I ever encountered involved a Persian cat who arrived in serious trouble.

How One Milkshake Led to a Major Mess

• The cat had enjoyed a fast-food strawberry milkshake
• The resulting diarrhea tangled into his long trouser hair
• The mess hardened into a large fecal plug
• The cat could no longer defecate and was incredibly uncomfortable

The smell was overpowering, and the owner panicked. He genuinely believed the cat was dying and even dropped him off to be euthanized. Once I followed my nose, the diagnosis of pseudocoprostasis was clear, and the owner finally admitted to the milkshake mishap.

A Very Damp, Very Smelly Save

• The problem was not life threatening
• A full trim and bath were needed to remove the plug
• The cat recovered quickly once cleaned
• Grooming solved what looked like a medical emergency

After one very odorous morning of clipping and bathing, the cat went home to live and snack another day, hopefully not on anything related to ice cream.

How to Avoid Dingleberries

Dingleberries usually show up because of a few simple factors. The good news is that most of them are completely manageable at home.

Why Dingleberries Develop

• Long fur around the rear end
• Upset stomachs
• Lack of grooming

At least two of these three causes are under your control, which makes prevention much easier than cleanup.

If your pet has long or thick fur near their back end, consider giving them the pet version of a bikini trim. Always proceed with care, and you can learn more about why this should be done with great caution in our guide to removing mats from long haired pets. If you are not confident trimming the area without risking the skin, ask a groomer or your local vet tech for help. You can read more about what vet techs do here.

The Role of Regular Grooming

• Matting attracts trapped stool
• Brushing prevents tangles from forming
• Clean, separated fur reduces the chance of buildup
• Routine grooming keeps the coat healthier overall

Make it a habit to comb through the fur regularly. You can see common brushing mistakes and how to avoid them here.

With a bit of maintenance, you can keep your pet’s coat healthy and stop dingleberries before they start.

Signs Your Pet Has Dingleberries

Sometimes dingleberries happen. It is not a catastrophe, but recognizing the issue early helps your pet stay comfortable and prevents bigger problems. Once you spot the signs, you can address the issue before it becomes painful or messy.

Common Signs to Watch For

• The pet constantly turns to chew or lick at the rear end
• A lingering bad smell that follows the pet
• Straining or difficulty passing feces
• Scooting along the floor
• The anus is hidden or not visible under matted fur

If your pet is biting at their rear end or over grooming, you can learn more about why pets bite their fur out here.

Other issues can look similar, especially problems involving the anal sacs. You can learn more about anal sac disorders in cats here.

The Main Giveaway

• If the anus has disappeared under a mat of fur
• If stool cannot pass normally
• If the odor becomes unusually strong

When the anus is no longer visible, dingleberries are usually the culprit rather than a deeper medical issue. A quick check and a bit of cleaning can make a world of difference.

What to Do About Dingleberries

When you discover a dingleberry, resist the urge to rinse it off immediately. Water tends to spread the mess, make it stickier, and turn a small problem into a much larger one.

First Steps for a Cleaner Fix

• Put on latex or disposable gloves
• Use dry paper towels to lift away as much as possible
• Clean gently before bringing any water into the situation
• Bathe the area only after the bulk of the mess is gone

Once you have cleared most of the debris, a gentle wash will help freshen the area and prevent irritation.

Why Scissors Are a Risky Choice

• Mats pull skin into the knot
• Cutting blindly can injure the skin
• Pets may jerk or react suddenly
• Scissors often make the situation more dangerous

You can learn why snipping straight across means lacerating the skin in the Petful guide to safely removing matted fur.

When to Involve a Professional

• A vet or groomer can shave the area safely
• Clippers avoid the risks of hidden skin folds
• Feces against the skin can cause painful sores
• Your pet may need ointment or antibiotics if dermatitis develops

When in doubt, contacting your vet is the safest and most comfortable route for your pet.

Make sure to regularly groom your pet to avoid severe matting, as seen in this video:

Factors Predisposing to Pseudocoprostasis

If the pet has an upset tummy (such as the Persian after drinking a milkshake), this makes soiling more likely. It’s always a good idea to know what your pet is passing, so follow them out into the yard or litter box to see if their poop is normal or not.

Diarrhea can be triggered for all sorts of reasons, including:

• Garbage gut
• Parasites
• Infections
• Dietary allergy
• Sudden change of diet
• Stress
• Medical conditions such as pancreatic enzyme deficiency or inflammatory bowel disease

If your dog is otherwise well and is a known scavenger, then starve them for 24 hours. Allow access to fresh water at all times, then reintroduce a bland diet.

However, if the dog is off-color, vomiting or passing blood, or the problem won’t settle down, then seeing a vet is a must.

So there we have it: the lowdown on dingleberries, or pseudocoprostasis (take your pick). Now back to my parallel universe to see what other surprises the clinic has in store today. I hope life in your parallel universe treats you well. Send me a postcard sometime.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Whether heartworm prevention or eye drops, you no longer need to pick up your pet’s medicine at your veterinarian’s office, thanks to a wide range of easy online solutions—even for prescription medications.

For many sites, you just upload a photo of your pet’s prescription from your vet. Other places might call your veterinarian after you’ve placed your order. Online pharmacy prices are typically competitive, and most often delivery is fast.

Our favorite place to buy pet medication online is Chewy. The company is known for a massive selection of all sorts of pet products, as well as spectacular customer service. Here’s a look at some of our favorite ways to buy medication online, including full-service retailers with supplements and everything else your pet needs to stay healthy.

What to Look for When Buying Pet Medication Online

Veterinary Verification

To order medications for your pet online, your vet will need to verify the prescription. One of the easiest ways this is done starts at checkout. You’ll supply your vet’s name and contact information, and many sites will reach out to verify before they ship. You can also mail (not email) a hard copy of your prescription, which isn’t always convenient if you need the meds quickly. Some sites will also fax your vet and ask them to fax in a prescription.

Pharmacy Verification

There are loads of places online, in and out of the country, that sell prescription medications. But if the business isn’t legitimate, you could receive counterfeit or incorrect drugs for your pet. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has a site that allows you to check if a pharmacy website is verified (the page also includes a link to download the full spreadsheet of verified pharmacies). To be part of the program, pharmacies must be regulated—both where they’re located and where the patient is located; accept only valid prescriptions; and comply with drug and privacy laws. 

Delivery

All sites offer free delivery in certain situations. Most offer free shipping once you’ve spent a certain amount, which ranges from $35 to $75. Costco offers free delivery on all orders, as does Amazon if you’re a Prime member. The same is true for some of the other online pharmacies if you join their paid membership program.

Keep in mind that before prescriptions can be shipped, your vet has to respond to verify them. That can add a few additional days to the process, depending on how quickly they answer. Most sites will make several attempts to contact your vet and then will let you know if they couldn’t be reached.

Packaging

If your pet’s medication needs to be refrigerated, it will be shipped in an insulated cooler to keep it safe, or it will be shipped overnight. Prescriptions are often shipped in boxes to avoid crushing the contents. Examine your medication once it arrives to make sure pills aren’t crushed or liquid spilled. Be sure to check the expiration date.

Veterinary Insurance

Most pet insurance plans cover at least some medication. Comprehensive coverage may pay all or part of medications, while accident-only coverage may only cover medication linked with a covered illness or accident. You can also buy a rider to your policy that includes medication such as monthly heartworm preventatives.

Pill-Hiding Treats

Greenies Pill Pockets come in multiple flavors that your cat will love, including catnip, salmon, chicken, tuna, and cheese.

This pack contains an assortment of soft, low-calorie treats with a creamy filling that makes it easy to push a pill inside.

Wrap the meds with this bacon-flavored paste, and it masks their flavor and scent. It works great for odd-shaped pills.

These soft chews can be squished around a pill to entice your cat to eat it, and they are only 3 calories each.

Why Trust The Spruce Pets

To find the best places to buy pet medications online, we researched numerous sites, looking for everything from selection and shipping price to customer reviews and how the prescription process works. We considered recommendations from pet owners and relied on our own experiences as well.

This article was researched and written by Mary Jo DiLonardo, who has covered animals and pets for several decades. Mary Jo has fostered more than 60 dogs and puppies. She has shopped online for products for her own rescue dog and her foster puppies. She is always searching for the healthiest and most effective products to use with them, such as the best dog toys and the best dog treats.

Your cat is breathing with their mouth open, almost like a dog panting. Is this something to worry about? Although not every case of panting in cats is a cause for concern, it’s worth paying attention to.

Here, we’ll cover what panting looks like in cats, possible causes of panting, and when you should call the veterinarian.

What Does Panting Look Like in Cats?

Panting in cats looks similar to a panting dog: breathing their mouth open. However, your cat’s tongue is less likely to protrude from their mouth than a dog’s tongue.

Additionally, your cat’s tongue may appear curled while they’re panting, and their chest may be moving rapidly when they breathe. In some cases, you may even notice that it appears difficult for your cat to breathe at all.

Environmental Causes of Panting in Cats

Panting isn’t always a sign of an underlying health condition. But that doesn’t mean that it should be ignored. For example, if your cat is panting due to stress, you should still take steps to reduce your cat’s anxiety.

Overheating or Heat Exhaustion

Your cat may pant if they are getting too hot, which can occur in very warm weather or when they are confined to hot spaces. Without cooling them off, this can progress to heat stroke, which can be dangerous. Other signs of overheating you may notice include drooling and sweaty paws.

To cool your cat down safely, you should:

• Move them to a cooler location
• Provide them with cool water
• Put water on them and place them in front of a fan
• Put cool washcloths in their armpits or groin

If your cat is panting due to heat and also experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, lethargy, disorientation, or has a red tongue and gums, seek emergency attention. If you take your cat’s rectal temperature and it reaches 104ºF or above, seek emergency attention.

Intense Play or Exercise

Some cats, especially kittens, pant after intense play or exercise. This is a sign that your cat might need to calm down for a bit. If your cat’s panting does not quickly stop when they are at rest, contact a veterinarian.

If your adult cat has begun to occasionally pant during exercise, it’s a good idea to have a veterinary evaluation to rule out any underlying health issues.

Stress or Anxiety

Panting commonly occurs when a cat is stressed or anxious, such as during veterinary visits, car rides, or placement in a new environment. Again, the panting should subside once the cat calms down.

You should take steps to manage your cat’s anxiety. These can include providing enrichment, using pheromones, and administering anti-anxiety medications. If your cat’s anxiety is so severe at the veterinary clinic that they may injure themselves, your veterinarian may recommend sedation.

Medical Causes of Panting in Cats

If your cat is panting with no known explanation, you should seek veterinary attention. The following are potential medical causes of panting in cats.

Respiratory Illness

Panting may be seen with respiratory illnesses, such as feline asthma, upper respiratory infections, pneumonia, and bronchitis. While upper respiratory infections in cats are common, panting as a result is not. If your cat has an upper respiratory infection and has started panting, you should seek urgent attention.

Other signs you may notice include:

Heart Disease or Heart Failure

Heart disease can cause your cat to have difficulty breathing, resulting in panting. As the heart enlarges, it may place pressure on some of the airways, causing coughing. As the heart disease further progresses, the cat can develop heart failure and further breathing problems.

If you suspect that your cat is panting due to heart disease, seek emergency veterinary attention.

Trauma

Traumatic injuries can result in panting both as a result of the pain and shock of the event and due to the actual injury itself. For example, a cat who has been hit by a car may develop a hernia in their diaphragm that makes breathing difficult. Other traumatic injuries that may cause panting include fractured ribs, bruised lungs, and collapsed lungs.

Anemia or Blood Loss

Your cat’s blood transports oxygen throughout their body. If they develop anemia due to blood loss, decreased red blood cell production, or autoimmune conditions, they will have less oxygen circulating in their blood. They may pant as a compensatory mechanism.

Other signs of anemia or blood loss include:

• Pale, blue-tinged, or yellow mucous membranes
• Bruising, whether large or pinpoint
• Bleeding from a wound or from an orifice
• Lethargy or collapse
• Dark-colored urine

Seek emergency attention if you suspect your cat is panting due to anemia.

Heartworms

While heartworms are more common in dogs, they can still affect cats. In cats, heartworms cause heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD) as a result of inflammation in the lungs and associated vessels. Cats with this condition may pant or experience respiratory difficulty.

Cats who may be panting due to heartworms need to see a veterinarian immediately.

Obstruction or Choking

A cat who is choking may also pant or open-mouth breathe. This can occur if the cat inhales or aspirates something and should be treated as an emergency.

When to Call the Vet

Contact a veterinarian immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Panting that lasts more than a few minutes or occurs without explanation
• Blue, pale, or yellow gums
• Labored or noisy breathing, wheezing, coughing, gagging
• Lethargy, collapse, disorientation, hiding
• Panting in the litterbox
• Panting with vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding, or bruising

What To Expect At the Vet

If you decide to visit the vet, your veterinarian will take steps to find out what’s causing your cat’s panting and to keep your cat comfortable.

Diagnostics and treatment may include:

• Chest X-rays: May show evidence of heart or lung disease or a foreign object in the airways.
• Blood work or heartworm testing: May show evidence of anemia and other systemic health conditions.
• Echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart): May show evidence of heart disease.
• Administering oxygen
• Placing an intravenous catheter for fluids and medications
• Providing pain medications if needed
• Providing antibiotics, steroids, diuretics, bronchodilators, and other medications as needed
• Removing fluid from the chest or abdomen
• Blood transfusions

How to Prevent Panting Episodes

Not all cases of panting are preventable. For example, if your cat has a genetic predisposition to a heart condition, you may not be able to prevent heart disease from developing. However, many causes of panting—such as overheating, infections, and stress—are preventable.

You can minimize these risks by:

• Keeping your cat cool and well-hydrated to avoid heat stress.
• Avoiding stressful situations or take steps to reduce anxiety when stress is expected.
• Keeping your cat on year-round heartworm and flea/tick prevention and on a regular vaccination schedule.
• Keeping your cat away from toxins like rat poison.

When In Doubt, Reach Out

Panting is not a normal cat behavior, and panting without a simple explanation like anxiety or vigorous play should always be investigated. Cats can be subtle when experiencing distress, so it’s always a good idea to get your cat evaluated if you’re concerned. If your cat is panting and you don’t know why, don’t wait and see—call a veterinarian for guidance!