Tail Care

Tail Care

Tails are a common staple piece of gear that Therians, Otherkin, and Alterhumans often have.

(Please note that having a tail/wearing a tail does NOT make someone a Therian.)

Whether it is a real fur tail (taxidermy) or a faux tail (yarn tail, faux fur tails) all tails need properly cared for. This post will include some care tips and instructions for tails.

Real Fur Tails (Taxidermy)

Real fur tails whether they be wolf (least common), fox (most common), racoon, mink, sable, tanuki or other need special care to maintain the leather (hide) and the fur itself.

Cleaning a Real Fur Tail

You need a few things to properly clean a real fur tail. Firstly you will need a brush/comb. The photos show a few different options, with the comb being the most recommended because it is a gentle non-pulling way to brush a tail without pulling a lot of fur out.

Step 1: Inspect the tail's leather for any tears, holes, debris, bugs, oil, etc. Also make sure to check the overall condition of the fur itself.

Step 2: (IF NEEDED) Wet a soft cloth or towel, wringing the water out until the cloth or towel is barely damp. Gently wipe the tail from the top down to the tip gently, DO NOT RUB, going with the direction of the fur

Step 3: Gently comb or brush tail, starting at the top and going with the direction of the fur. Be careful not to pull out the guard hairs or undercoat!

Here is a list of dos and don'ts for real fur tails

DO’s

-Do spot clean your real fur tail with a damp cloth with water or a mild soap (very diluted) - be careful not to over wet the cloth!

-Do brush your real fur tails regularly and gently with a comb - make sure to brush out any developing mats/tangles

-Do check your real tail’s leather regularly for bugs, tears, rot, mold, and weak spots

-Do be careful when wearing your real fur tail, avoid sitting/pulling/crushing the tail

-Do store in a place where animals wild or domestic can’t get to your tail

-Do store in a place that is free of smoke, open flames, and away from heaters/fans/windows

DON’Ts

-Don’t ever soak/submerge in water- wet leather becomes weak and will often rot, it can also compromise the tan of the leather

-Don’t use a slicker/coat pulling brush to brush a real fur tail - slicker brushes are designed to brush out an animal’s undercoat, and can easily tear, destroy, and fray the fur on a real fur tail

-Don’t store a real fur tail in a humid environment, or an overly dry environment - a humid environment can cause the leather and fur to rot or mold, ruining your tail, and an overly dry environment can cause the leather to crack and split more easily.

-Don’t store a real fur tail outdoors - this can cause your tail to attract bugs, mites, and even ticks! Outdoors your tail may also get wet, or torn/attacked by wild or domestic animals that come across it.

Faux Tails (Yarn tails/faux fur tails)

Faux tails whether they be yarn tails, faux fur tails, or stuffed faux fur tails are generally really easy to care for. But they do still need to be cleaned! Faux fur tails that are not stuffed are often washable, as are some stuffed tails - but make sure you check with the maker/seller of the faux tail to make sure that the stuffing and faux fur used is washer safe - or hand wash only.

Step 1: Use a comb or brush to gently brush the yarn or faux fur, going in the direction of the fur.

Step 2: If needed, use a damp cloth with some mild soap (dawn dish soap, or even better a cleaning solution for faux fur). Be careful when getting a yarn tail wet, as many are heat-treated (to make the acrylic strands lay flat like fur) and wetting them can sometimes cause them to curl and fray.

Step 3: Use a comb or brush to gently brush the yarn or faux fur again, making sure that there are no tangles and that the yarn or faux fur is fully dried. You can also shake the tail to help revive some of its fluffiness.

*** If your faux tail is washable, then follow the maker/sellers instructions for washing ***