I’ve noticed that my female cat sometimes gets crusty poop stuck around her anus, and I’m not sure of the best or safest way to clean it off. I don’t want to hurt her or stress her out, but I also want to make sure she stays clean and comfortable. Is there a gentle method I can use at home to wash or remove the dried feces? Should I be using wipes, giving her a bath, or trimming the fur around the area—and how can I tell if it’s a one-time issue or a sign of something more serious?
Hi Noti, a practical question! My suggestion would be to put some Dawn (or similar) dish soap on a warm damp washcloth. Hold it over the area first for 30 seconds or so. That can help loosen up that material quite well and you can try to wipe it off. And any dish soap residue left over will not harm your cat after they inevitably want to lick the area afterwards.