# How do I remove a dingleberry from my cat without hurting her? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 4, 2010, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936 "2010-12-04T15:34:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2010, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936/1 "2010-12-04T15:34:54Z")
One of my cats has developed a sizable clump of dried poop on her nether regions. How do I remove it without hurting her either physically or psychologically? She’s a 7-year-old medium-hair domestic. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936/2 "2010-12-04T15:41:33Z")
The main issue is how to remove it without her hurting you. I wait to see the suggestions ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2010, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936/3 "2010-12-04T16:23:32Z")
You’ll need to cut off the whole mess of matted fur – a pair of blunt scissors is probably the best tool for the job. If your cat is exceptionally cooperative you might be able to just tuck her under your arm while you do the job. Though you’ll probably need two people – one to hold her tightly and another to do the cutting. There’s also the trick of wrapping her in a towel so all the sharp bits are safely contained. Good luck! Her dignity will be hurt by the ordeal but she’ll probably be over it in a day or two at most. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2010, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936/4 "2010-12-04T16:30:57Z")
Psychologically? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2010, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936/5 "2010-12-04T16:35:32Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > Psychologically? I can just picture **Agent Foxtrot** ’s cat on a psychiatrist’s couch, talking over her issues stemming from the dingleberry incident. ---
**Author:** ![Uber\_the\_Goober](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/58956e/32.png) [@Uber\_the\_Goober](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uber_the_Goober)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2010, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936/6 "2010-12-04T16:36:05Z")
I vote for wrapping her in a towel - ass end exposed. That’s how I used to clip the nails of a cat I had before he was declawed. He was an absolute terror and would claw and bite everything if he wasn’t getting his way. The towel kept my skin in one piece. You’ll have a few seconds before the cat decides to wig out, so make it quick! ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936/7 "2010-12-04T16:37:45Z")
If you have an electric razor with a 'stache trimmer, you could shave it off. If you don’t mind using it on yourself at some time in the future, knowing where it has been. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2010, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936/8 "2010-12-04T16:51:41Z")
I guess I should have mentioned that she’s one of the most docile cats you’d ever meet. I will try the blunt scissors. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![mikews99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@mikews99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikews99)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2010, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936/9 "2010-12-04T19:18:41Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > I will try the blunt scissors. No, no, no, no! Don’t go anywhere near your cat’s skin with scissors, blunt or otherwise. It’s far too easy to cut open their skin no matter how careful you are! A cat’s skin is only a few cells deep, unlike our relatively thick skin. Invest in a cheap hair clipper. You can pick up one from [just about any chain drug store](http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/catalog/shop_product_detail.jsp?filterBy=&skuId=451546&productId=451546), plus you will have it available for the inevitable future kitty butt hair accidents. ---
**Author:** ![Pullet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Pullet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pullet)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936/10 "2010-12-05T03:03:58Z")
> [@mikews99](#): > > No, no, no, no! Don’t go anywhere near your cat’s skin with scissors, blunt or otherwise. It’s far too easy to cut open their skin no matter how careful you are! A cat’s skin is only a few cells deep, unlike our relatively thick skin. > > Invest in a cheap hair clipper. You can pick up one from [just about any chain drug store](http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/catalog/shop_product_detail.jsp?filterBy=&skuId=451546&productId=451546), plus you will have it available for the inevitable future kitty butt hair accidents. Seconded! I’ve patched up a half dozen pets who got accidentally sliced open by the scissors of their well-meaning owners. Even electric trimmers can cause little nicks, but they are much less likely to do big damage like scissors. Also, once you get the clump of debris off, if you see any redness or moisture to the skin, have kitty checked by a vet. We’ve had a couple of cases of serious wounds being caused by all that filth sitting on the skin too long. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936/11 "2010-12-05T11:04:18Z")
_Thinks of the cases she has intentionally used scissors to skin them_ Yes, please don’t use scissors. One of my ex-roomates had a long haired black cat. To avoid dingleberries, she used a clipper regularly to give the cat a clean… trail. The cat, fussy about other things, didn’t mind the clipper that much. Her boyfriend at the time, OTOH… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936/12 "2010-12-05T19:38:53Z")
What if I just comb it out with a flea comb? ---
**Author:** ![cwthree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@cwthree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cwthree)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936/13 "2010-12-05T21:32:10Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > What if I just comb it out with a flea comb? That’s likely to pull the hairs before the bits of poop give way. Hair clippers are the way to go. If she tends to get poop stuck back there, just keep her anal area clipped all the time. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936/14 "2010-12-06T01:39:16Z")
Best way is to keep checking out the kitty butt, and remove it when fresh - I do it by gently pulling it off with a moist baby wipe. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936/15 "2010-12-06T18:10:33Z")
I have a long-haird male Maine Coon, and boys of that breed are prone to plumbing issues anyway, so, unfortunately, this is an area where I have expertise. I wish it were not so, but it is. Scissors = no. Clippers = yes. Shave away what you can. She may need a light bath afterwards - you don’t need to wash all of her if you want to just wet/lather/rinse her from the hips back - or you can try wiping the area with a baby wipe or two. Licking her fur dry will encourage her to clean the rest of the area well, assuming she can reach (isn’t too fat or has arthritis, etc.) - checks date of OP \* Oh. I assume the issue has been settled by now. ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936/16 "2010-12-06T18:49:55Z")
Personally, I’d get quotes from a professional groomer before I went out and got cat poo near if not in a set of clippers. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936/17 "2010-12-06T18:56:24Z")
Can’t you teach your cat to use a bidet? ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936/18 "2010-12-06T21:12:14Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Licking her fur dry will encourage her to clean the rest of the area well, assuming she can reach (isn’t too fat or has arthritis, etc.) Well, damn, I love my cat, but if he thinks I’m going to lick his ass clean he’s got another think coming. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936/19 "2010-12-06T21:40:29Z")
Best username/post combo ever. ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936/20 "2010-12-06T22:38:12Z")
Out of curiosity, how do animals in the wild deal with this issue? I figured your cat would have licked it out before it became an issue. Aren’t they pretty strict about their self-grooming regimens? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-a-dingleberry-from-my-cat-without-hurting-her/562936.md?page=2)