Dreadlocks in your cat’s pantaloons? Anyone who’s had to comb them out at least once since having a cat knows that it’s better to prevent such mishaps in advance. Cats usually aren’t fond of being groomed around their hind legs and tail, but when the fur gets tangled there—oh, what a tragedy! Today, let’s explore some tried-and-true grooming tricks to keep your cat’s “behind” in proper order and general tips to ensure their fur always looks spectacular, both front and back.

A Few Words About Fur Care

Even the cleanest kitties have to deal with hygienic challenges from time to time. Cats, although they’ve mastered self-grooming to purrfection, sometimes encounter situations where they can’t manage without the help of their caretaker. Dreadlocks in the fur under the arms, messy pantaloons after an explosive litter box visit, missed spots due to limited tongue reach… it’s nothing out of the ordinary! This applies to both short-haired and long-haired cats, young and old, healthy, and those with ailments that make hygiene maintenance a bit more challenging. If you live with a cat, you must know the basics of keeping their fur clean. Simple as that 🙂

If you want to know how to groom cats and what to use to do so, hop onto our blog for a more in-depth discussion on choosing grooming tools, trips to the groomer, and other pleasures: https://blog.mykotty.pl/en/2021/02/01/brushing-your-cats-grooming-for-long-and-shorthaired-kitties/ 

Clean Behind – Maintaining Fur in Order on the Cat’s Backside

Let’s address the issue from the rear end because that’s where the most significant incidents usually happen—not just litter box-related ones. Both long-haired and semi-long-haired cats may often have issues with mats and dreadlocks, especially around their pantaloons and armpits. While walking, jumping, or even napping, their fur constantly rubs against itself and becomes matted if we don’t regularly groom it. Additionally, the pantaloons can pick up litter residue from the litter box, and with very long fur, sometimes even “number two” can get trapped in the fur clumps. In short, it’s a disaster. How can you prevent it?

Regular grooming. This is the best way, but unfortunately, speaking from experience, cats aren’t too keen on a brush around their behinds. If your cat happens to enjoy grooming, go for it! If not, your next best option is…

Trimming the pantaloons. You can visit a groomer for this, who will handle it professionally, or tackle the issue yourself if you’re brave enough. Typically, the longest fur around the cat’s hindquarters + pantaloons at the back are trimmed so that each litter box visit doesn’t come with a fur-laden surprise. You can also shave the fur around the butt if the fluff in that area gets dirty every day, and your cat struggles to clean them.

Emergency bath. Cats generally don’t require baths. Most of them also aren’t particularly fond of getting wet or having their entire fur soaked and dried. However, if you encounter a serious litter box mishap, wiping everything up with a wet cloth may not be enough. So when it’s time to bathe your cat, check out our guide on this topic → https://blog.mykotty.pl/en/2022/06/13/fur-in-a-bath-facts-and-myths-about-bathing-cats/ 

Cats have an innate instinct for cleanliness, but even among them, some are more or less involved in the matter. The bad news is that it’s hard to teach a cat hygiene and tell them, “Hey, buddy, you missed cleaning your butt after using the litter box.” In such situations, additional wiping with a moist cloth may be necessary if it bothers you significantly (whether for aesthetic or hygienic reasons). However, consider whether the cat really doesn’t want to groom themself (which may also be due to health issues and difficulty reaching certain areas) or if something else is bothering them. Sometimes shaving the fur around provides the cat with good enough access to take care of the rest of their hygiene on their own.

Proven Tricks to Keep Your Cat’s Fur in Good Shape

Regardless of whether your cat boasts a lush mane or short, smooth fur, one thing is certain—flying fur clumps, potential litter box mishaps, and negotiations over how many treats they deserve for being brushed are inevitable. That’s why it’s worth getting your cat accustomed to various grooming procedures from an early age and throughout their cat life, ensuring their fur is always in the best condition possible. What will certainly help?

• Regular grooming. It’s just like with our human hair—if we comb it every day, it won’t tangle.
• Balanced diet. High-quality food has a huge impact on the appearance of a cat’s fur. Opt for high-meat, wet food enriched with valuable oils and vitamins from groups B, A, E, K, and D.
• Supplementation. Especially recommended during periods of intense fur shedding, such as autumn and early spring. When a cat sheds more fur, the risk of matting increases. It’s worth adding salmon oil to the cat’s diet during these times, rich in Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which significantly affect the condition of a cat’s coat. Don’t forget about pastes or supplements to help remove hairballs from the digestive system—clumps on the fur surface are one thing, but you definitely don’t want them to get stuck in the cat’s stomach.
• Wet wipes at hand. Choose pet-safe ones, of course—they’re much easier to use and more pleasant for the cat than a dry cloth, toilet paper, or paper towel. For small mishaps or regular assistance to the cat in cleaning themself, they’re completely sufficient.

Remember, fabCats: there are no silly questions at the vet’s office. If you feel like your cat isn’t quite managing to maintain their hygiene, is reluctant to groom themself, or, on the contrary, excessively licks their fur (sometimes to the point of bald patches), talk to the vet and together find the cause and the next steps.

In the myKotty team, we have both short-haired and long-haired cats—we know a thing or two about living with fluff everywhere, but we’d love to hear your ways of keeping your cat’s fur well-groomed and beautiful. Drop your ideas in the comments, fabCats!