Matted cat - What can I do

cookies_and_crem

Oh right - re the flu I took him vet at the time. He is/was ad always has been fully vaccinated but has FIV so lower immunity. The staff at CH informed me that the groomer isn't the cleanest... I didn't know that.

Maybe I'm overreacting a bit, but I do not want the boy to have any matting. It'll only get worse over time if not sorted. Tough love I guess. And a stiff brandy for me! I will buy the tools mentioned though as it seems that whenever we go away he ends up matted a few days/weeks on return.

Re the bath - I don't like doing it for the cold reason - his immunity is not great, so probably just twice for this year. He is terrified of water (which is useful as he stands still crying rather than fighting), but loves the hair dryer after. Last week I got to comb and dry hairdresser style - just not his back end...

Gosh, I feel like a wimp...

Jojo - glad you both got down safely. and thanks.

cookies_and_crem

BTW - a bit of history. We definitely did not want a long haired cat for this reason, this was discussed prior to getting one as well as the cat not being young.

Of course when we went to choose a cat (we were vetted and home visited first) he seemed the saddest and had the saddest story and had been there a while as he is black and white which is not liked apparently. So we chose him because we thought he would fit into our adult fairly quiet (we both work) household.

So, he came to live with us over a year ago as a meek and mild cat and within a fortnight was running the house. In fact, it's like having the cat version of Victor Meldrew at times. He is mostly affectionate on his terms but is as brutal as Caesar when it comes to getting food, his seat or not being 'messed' with.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

He has blood on his front left paw where he dug in his claws and one scraped down the tiles, rubbing it down to the blood line, but nothing that won't heal by itself. There is no remedy for shattered feline pride, however, as the neighbours all got to [STRIKE]laugh at[/STRIKE] watch him being rescued


I never wanted a mostly white cat - or a longhaired pedigree - or a particularly smart or remarkably stoopid one - or three of the useless fluffballs in any event. I got them, anyway.

Bet if you pin him down, you'll get the cat equivalent of 'Et tu, Brutus?' in his wails

Still trying to convince myself that also I don't want a insane, scraggy black labradoodle puppy that I have already named Elwood in my head, since hearing of a rescue mutt with puppies imminent, as well.

I must have MUG invisibly tattooed on my forehead, visible only to animals or small children.

bacardi66

My cat is nearly 17 now and long haired - Ive always been able to keep his coat under control with regular brushing and snipping out the odd tiny matt, however a couple of years ago he spent the whole summer sleeping in the garden in a pile of damp leaves and ended up very matted on one side - he miaowed every time I tried to the matted fur and I was worried I was hurting him. In the end I took him to the vets and as he is a very docile cat (has never bitten or scratched anyone in his life) the veterinary nurses were able to shave off the matted fur without any kind of sedation - he did sulk for a couple of days but it did the trick.

I didn't want him to go through that again - so found a brush he really liked - kind of a padded thing with wire bristles and try to brush him a couple of times a week. I also started adding Yumega cat oil to his food - it makes his coat much softer and less likely to matt - since then (fingers crossed) he hasn't suffered any matting at all.

oldandhappy

I recall a volunteer at a animal rescue centre who looked after one of the cat sections which included lots of ferel cats...she had a long haired cat that every year went to the vets to be shaved because of this matting problem..if she had not told me I would not have ever believed her... knowing just how good she is with all the various cats at the centre..Dianne
p.s Glad our Girlze is Not longhaired she is a demon but if you really know her you'd love her too:)...she is on the left

Mayflower10cat

cookies_and_crem wrote: »

Mayflower is this the product: http://www.petsathome.com/shop/matt-breaker-grooming-tool-with-replacement-blades-by-mikki-15598?freeText=mat+breaker&msg=MSG_SEARCH_ONE_MATCHING_PRODUCT?

So sorry to be so rude and late replying! Actually, I've just googled like mad to try and find something that looks like the piece of kit my sister bought....and failed! The linked 'Mikki' brand mat breaker that you found looks far less torturous. And easier to use!