Fluffy tail care!

[jaspercat2002]

I've got two sibling cats, now a year old, that had quite standard normal tails when they first came to us as kittens. However as they have grown they have morphed into massive fox like brushes! Both are quite short haired moggies so not what I was expecting!

They are very lovely but also high maintenance. They come in from the garden with all kinds of twigs and stuff stuck in them. I have tried gently brushing them but they are not keen so I have been leaving them to sort themselves out but now they are full of those little round green burr things. Is it best to just let them get them out for themselves or so I need to brush/clip/pick them out and if so how?

(Pictures for illustrative and stealth boast purposes)

If you find anything better than brushing let me know because it's a nightmare

Lovely cats with great tails . Basil's tail -brush- has the same issue. I use a coarse cat comb as well as a brush to tease out burrs etc. Fortunately he doesn't object too much.

If it's just a couple of burrs you can probably pick them out, any more needs a comb through. I wouldn't leave them to sort themselves out (although obviously they will sometimes) as that's all likely to end up in their stomachs.

I'm afraid they're going to have to get used to brushing - little and often, and do it daily. Don't just do it when they've got bits to comb out so it becomes a pleasurable experience more often than not.

It's worth starting now because as they get older and less agile they're going to need help with bits they won't be able to reach any more.

Pic of fluffy tail attached to show experience!

I use a tangle teaser on my Persians tails. A metal comb pulls to much.

Thanks for all the tips. Tangle teaser is a great idea.

Will definitely start trying to get them used to it then - they don't mind a little brush on their bodies too much (although it usually turns into a game) but are a bit funny about their tails. You're right though - my last cat needed lots of help towards old age to keep on top of her coat and she was completely short haired so best to start now.

I think your cats ( and mine) are "semi-long haired".
I use a brush or tangle teaser, but the burrs from goose grass, odd leaf or twig can be picked out. Hold the fur underneath the detritus, then you can give the burr a good yank from above without pulling the skin.

scissors, prefer to comb out, but scissors when they won't let me

I'd urge you to get them used to being gently brushed now whilst they're young. I took on a two year old semi-long hair who hated being brushed, and I didn't try hard enough to get her used to it. Now she's twelve, and very set in her ways and frequently gets matted bits of fur in her tail and her lower back, which are very hard to get out - I resort to trying to sneak up on her with scissors which doesn't always end well. It also contributes to some truly spectacular hairballs, which are a delight!

I've never had a floofy-tailed cat. Half jealous after looking at all the lovely floofy photos and half relieved! My late Auntie had a much-loved white Persian years ago. His floofy tail was always pristine but I think that had not a little to do with him being a very pampered indoor cat. We love ML's more floofy tail when he's excited or frightened, but it doesn't last long. He is definitely lacking in the floofy tail department.

5 minutes after I vacuum there's floof patches here and there & everywhere. Endless.

It is possible to get cats used to being brushed. One of mine is semi long haired and seriously prone to picking up all sorts of crap in her fur.
Start slow, get a brush (not a comb) and let them smell it, give treats, don't try to brush them. Repeat several times, then brush a little, somewhere very neutral (not tail or belly) give treats. Build up, little and often.
My cat now loves being brushed, no treats required. I actually use 2 brushes as she likes to chew and rub her cheeks on one, while I brush her with the other one. Will even tolerate tummy brushing. She actually drools with pleasure and will sit in front of the cupboard where the brushes are kept until brushed.

One of mine has an enormous floofy tail. It’s like a plume. The fur is more coarse than the fur in his body, too, so it makes it doubly hard to maintain. He picks up all manner of sticks, seeds, leaves, you name it, in his arse hair. I find the best thing for him (and my other cats) has been a human TangleTeezer brush. Nice and thorough but really gentle on skin and doesn’t tug or pull.

I find that a lot of the ‘cat’ brushes are either too fierce on the skin (the furminator and those ones with little metal needle like prongs) or are gentle on skin but useless on the underlayers of the coat (things like the soft, rubbery grooming brushes/mitts).

Nothing to add just validating your stealth boast. Your children are beautiful

I've got wierd gloves with plastic bobbly, brush bits on. It's a lot more like being stroked that most brushes and long haired cat tolerates them a lot better than a brush, he's pretty happy having his tail done with them.

These. Obviously it won't get out everything but they can get a fair amount out of his fur.

Brushing and yanking bits out- floofy tail perfection!

That tail is not real. It's had floof extensions!!!

Love the photo Weeds .

Slugs are the hardest thing to remove from tails (and other areas)!

Awesome tail!
Slugs are indeed the worst. My cat currently had a slug shroud lodged near her armpit and is not being very co-operative about removal. I have several pairs of sharp scissors (no small children) in various strategic cat snipping locations around the house in case the moment presents itself.

Another vote for the tangle teezer to maintain the floofiness to the plume with the least amount of hassle to its owner.

ML is looking a little disgruntled that I'm admiring these floofy tails. It is possibly making him feel a tad inadequate.

Plait them in to a French plait??

Only half joking! I use a tangle teezer too. Mine likes to turn it in to a game too so I distract him with a kong kicker toy with extra catnip. He wasn’t keen at first but loves it now

Thank you for all advice and especially to those who suggested a tangle teaser. It's getting most things out and they don't seem to mind it too much. Still finding floofy back legs a challenge but a massive improvement

Mine is a semi long hair with an unbelievably bushy tail, it's like a squirrels! We try to keep on top of it with a tangle teaser and Asda do a decent brush in their pet section which can tackle the undercoat. I find he is easiest to brush when he is eating as he is distracted doing something he loves. Occasionally it gets a bit much for him but he luckily takes it out on the brush and not my hand!