Mats around urethra

Gypsy, to put it bluntly, is an overweight long-haired cat (she's been on a diet since I adopted her). She sometimes has problems cleaning herself properly after using the litterbox. I give her a good brushing nightly, but tonight for the first time I noticed some matting around her urethra. I'm going to keep an eye on it, to make sure it's not discharge, but would appreciate any advice on de-matting this area. Tonight, I softened the area with a wet washcloth and worked the mat out with my fingers. Is this the correct way?

I would take her to the vet for a trim, it's always best to keep that area trimmed IMO.

If it worked then you're good to go! I wouldn't think to dampen it first though... sometimes that can make mats worse. You may want to take Gypsy to a groomer and ask them for a sanitary trim. They just trim down or shave around the privates and the butt.

If she trusts you, you can trim her yourself. Thats what I do to my 2 long haired cats is trim the butt area with scissors ...........blunt tipped.

The Urethra is on the inside of the body, believe me I have a test in school on monday on bones and body parts of the cat I am going nuts studying for it!

Anyways, I know the area you mean and what I do is I have small battery operated clippers which takes care of those problems real quick.

Originally Posted by mzjazz2u

If it worked then you're good to go! I wouldn't think to dampen it first though... sometimes that can make mats worse. You may want to take Gypsy to a groomer and ask them for a sanitary trim. They just trim down or shave around the privates and the butt.

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I dampened it because there was some matter in the mat...that's why I'm keeping an eye on discharge. I could have been feces...Gypsy has left a few dingleberries around the house

I'm taking Ivo for her yearly next week, so I'll check into getting a sanitary trim for Gypsy. Thanks for all the advice!

How old is she? Older cats have a harder time grooming themselves, Our older orange tabby(14) Tom, had matts on his lower left/right leg and lower back by the tail I had to first ccumb them out bit by bit then it got so bad I had to shave it off. The fur grew back and now you'd never know what happened. I would keep it as clean as you can and talk with your vet.

You could get her a "Brazilian" LOL