Yes, cats can and do definitely do this, the same as dogs. If it's once in a great while, I wouldn't worry too much. If it's more often, as in a few times a week or even a few times a day, I would definitely go to a veterinarian.
It could be something as simple as having swallowed a long strand of string or human hair that isn't "passing" well (this could be potentially serious if she got a large amount, which could cause severe blockages that may require emergency surgery to remove), or something like irritated or impacted anal glands, or a bad worm infestation (nearly all cats and dogs get worms from nursing from their mothers, even if the mother has been dewormed!) or any number of other reasons.
Then again, my mother has an obese beagle who can't reach to "clean" herself, and has developed the unpleasant habit of scooting her butt in a circle until it's bald and callused, which, after a trip to the vet, has been confirmed as indeed nothing more than a habit due to her immense weight. Still, always better to be safe than sorry!
It could be something as simple as having swallowed a long strand of string or human hair that isn't "passing" well (this could be potentially serious if she got a large amount, which could cause severe blockages that may require emergency surgery to remove), or something like irritated or impacted anal glands, or a bad worm infestation (nearly all cats and dogs get worms from nursing from their mothers, even if the mother has been dewormed!) or any number of other reasons.
Then again, my mother has an obese beagle who can't reach to "clean" herself, and has developed the unpleasant habit of scooting her butt in a circle until it's bald and callused, which, after a trip to the vet, has been confirmed as indeed nothing more than a habit due to her immense weight. Still, always better to be safe than sorry!