Glossary

Britches

The long, full fur on the backs of a longhaired cat's hind legs, which forms a pair of fluffy trousers.

Also called: breeches, trousers, leg feathering, hind-leg fur

Britches, sometimes spelled breeches, are the thick tufts of long fur that hang from the upper hind legs of longhaired and semi-longhaired cats. They give a cat the look of wearing fluffy trousers. Breeds with notable britches include the Maine Coon, the Norwegian Forest Cat, the Siberian and the Persian, and breed standards for these cats describe them as part of the correct coat.

Britches are close to the cat's back end, so they pick up litter, droppings and moisture. Without regular care they tangle and mat, which pulls on the skin and can make the cat uncomfortable. Cats with soiled fur may lick the area a great deal, and a matted tail base can make passing stools difficult.

Brush the britches a few times a week and check them at least once a day for soiling. Some owners ask a groomer to trim the hair around the rear, which is called a sanitary trim, and it is a good idea if the cat cannot keep itself clean. Ask your vet if you see persistent diarrhoea, sores or a cat that scoots along the floor.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

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Related terms

Ruff A collar of longer fur around a cat's neck and chest, most obvious in breeds such as the Maine Coon and Norwegian Forest Cat. Double coat A coat made of a soft insulating undercoat beneath longer, coarser guard hairs, found in many cold-climate and semi-longhair breeds. Undercoat The soft, fine, dense layer of fur closest to a cat's skin that provides most of its insulation. Guard hairs The long, coarse outer hairs of a cat's coat that shed water and dirt and carry its colour and pattern.