Tortoise Shell has matted fur in places

[Sweetie's Mom]

Has anyone ever removed mats from their cat's fur? Siva won't let me near her with scissors OR electric razor so I have to drug her. Anyone got any suggestions?

[RedHedd]

Hmm .... I gently brush my Mitzi with a wire brush I picked up at Petco. A fine-toothed flea comb helps in some spots (near her butt). If it's REALLY matted, you might want to have it done professionally. Mishi was so badly matted when he was rescued he had to be put under general anesthesia and then they were able to shave the badly matted areas. When I adopted him, the lady at AnimalSavers asked how I liked his kitty-Mohawk :D It's all grown back now and he's quite handsome! ;)

P.S. Welcome to Pet Talk!

[Sweetie's Mom]

Thanks, RedHedd. I was thinking of having it done professionally but, being a pampered tortoise shell, Siva adamantly dislikes leaving her domain, even for the vet visits. So I thought I'd try it at home first and see how successful I am. If not successful, I'll have to have it done professionally since her mats are many and some are close to the skin. I used to groom dogs so I know some of the tricks and, of course, am extremely careful and gentle with my furkids. Who knows? She may just lay there and let me de-mat her. I can hope. . . .

[slick]

I tried to do that with my Max who is a Persian. I just about lost an arm.

...but

at the groomers, he just lays there and lets them do their stuff. Can't figure it out but it seems that if it's a stranger he's ok but with me he turns violent.

He's going to the groomers tomorrow for a "tunnel cut" that will hopefully keep him cooler. Although the weather will soon turn down a few degrees, he's an indoor kitty and the apt is really warm.

Max does let me brush him, but try to get the mats out, watch out! Good luck and welcome to Pet Talk! Did I mention we love to see pictures??

[Sweetie's Mom]

I checked with Pet Smart and they want me to drug her before I take her to them and not tell them that I drugged her so as to protect them from any liability. That made me think they might not be as careful with her as I want them to be. My vet was no help at all so I may have to call other vets to see if I can find one that can at least recommend a professional who will do it. I do understand what you mean about our furkids letting a stranger groom them easier than letting us do it. I don't know why, but I know it's true.

I am, however, hoping that I can accomplish this at home first. Tomorrow is the big day so we'll see. I've been talking to her about it all week so it won't be a surprise to her when she swallows the pill. I'll try to get her used to the sound of the clippers tonite and tomorrow morning.

What does a "tunnel cut" look like? Living in Arizona, it may be something I'd consider for the summer months.

[jenluckenbach]

I am a professional groomer (cats and dogs) and we never ask a customer to drug a pet BEFORE we've even given them a try!! (with the exception of the owner KNOWS their pet previously needed them)
My "miracle" tool is a shedding comb. You can comb out (using a picking motion) some of the toughest looking mats in cats. The shedding comb is a metal comb with alternating long and short teeth.
I've never heard of the "tunnel clip". It is probably just a local way of saying a clip that we might call something else. ASK what it is so there are no surprises! Shaving a cat down is a very kind thing to do if the mats are too tough to be combed out. Much safer than scissoring. Cat skin is so much more "cutable" than dog skin.

[Sweetie's Mom]

I don't see Siva sitting still for a shedding comb although I may keep one handy for future use. I used to brush her almost every day but tried to comb out a mat one time and I think it hurt her because she wouldn't let me brush her after that.

If I can't get her shaved in the necessary spots tomorrow, I will find a professional groomer to do it. The mats are under her legs and on her hindquarters and although she may not be happy with shaved spots, I realize the necessity of it. I am, however, having a hard time finding a kind cat groomer in Arizona who will discuss anything but shaving all of her down to the skin. It's not necessary and she would be most unhappy at the humiliation of it.

What kind of a brush do you recommend to prevent matting once the mats are removed?

[jenluckenbach]

A slicker brush is probably the best. The comb would also be good. it should not hurt once the mats are out and you are simply using it to prevent future mats.
Hopefully you will be able to find someone who remembers that the customer should get what the customer wants (if at all possible). Groomers all too often hear owners say that their pet is not badly matted when the truth is just the opposite. That is why many are skeptical when you say I only want the mats shaved out. We as a professional, do not want the finished product to look like a 2 bit hack job. (I really did not mean to turn this into a "lecture") Just keep looking for a cooperative groomer.

[Sweetie's Mom]

I truly appreciate you taking the time to give me this information. I now need to find a kind, understanding cat groomer who will do what I want. Who knows? I may find someone Siva will really like and enjoy visiting when she needs to although I'm not sure that's possible with a tortoise shell! Are there times when you can let the cat's human look through a window while you groom the cat? I will need assurance that Siva will like the groomer and be treated gently.

Also, can I find a slicker brush at Pet Smart?

[jenluckenbach]

Any pet store should have a slicker brush for you.
Some groomers may allow owners to stay and watch, but to be honest, all of the places I have worked do not prefer it.

1st, it is disruptive to all the animals when strangers are present.(remember, most of the pets in the shop will be dogs. They tend to want to bark and jump around when people are present and more so if it is their own person). This makes them hard to safely work on and it gets all the other dogs wound up too. Now cats don't really care if their owners are present but can be affected by all the barking.
2nd, most places do not start the pet immediately upon its arrival in the shop. Except for the smallest businesses, animals are worked on in rotation, not straight through. So kitty might not get started at drop off time, so you'd need to wait for the procedure to even begin.
3rd, sometimes even the most gentle handler will need to use a procedure that looks a whole lot worse than it is in reality and owners have been known to misunderstand what they see. For example, when a cat is getting a total shave, in order to get the clipper down the throat area and between the 2 front legs a second person must hold the cat up by the neck. Now don't faint on me, that is what it looks like from a distance, but in reality I have my fingers of one hand on their lower jawbone, not the throat or windpipe, while the other hand hoists them up under their ribcage. But I often joke about how I have to "Hold the cat up by the neck", because that is what it looks like.

[RP Cathouse]

If you can get near her try a seam ripper just watch the pointed end. I use this with my Maine Coons. It breaks up the mat and sometimes I can use it to cut out the mat. Purchase a short seam ripper they hide better:)

[Sweetie's Mom]

Great idea but it seems that would be even more dangerous. One slip and you've cut kitty.

Thanks for the idea though. I appreciate the help I've received on this subject!

[Sweetie's Mom]

Well, I drugged my sweet Siva Saturday and although it took me most of the day, I managed to remove the mats on her hind legs and her chest using the clippers. She would let me remove one mat and then she would get up and leave. I felt so bad that I had to drug her but in the end I think it made it easier on her. I still need to remove the mats on the inside of her hind legs and my best friend has volunteered to help me so I don't have to drug Siva. Siva loves my best friend so it may just work out. Will keep you all posted.

I learned a few things from all your help and suggestions. Thanks, everyone!

[jenluckenbach]

Actually, those times we (the groomers) DO suggest drugs, it really is for the good of the pet equally as much as it is for the safety of the groomers.

I am really glad you were able to do a lot of it by yourself.

Some hints about clipping the belly:
- use a short clipper blade, like a #10
- be aware that mats will pull the skin up and the skin can VERY easily slip in between the teeth of the blade. Make absolutely certain that the skin is flat and not folded or you WILL cut her.
- 2 friends is better than one friend. Even the professionals often wish for just one more hand. One person should hold the cat upside down with a front leg in each hand and the head up against her body. The person with the clippers will need to be holding them in one hand which leaves one hand for one of the hind legs. Here is where the 5th hand comes in handy. That other rear leg will curl up and you will have a hard time getting to the belly (and making sure the skin is flat).

good luck.

[Sweetie's Mom]

I didn't think of the skin folding up into the blade of the clippers. Never had that happen when I groomed dogs but cats are different. Thanks for the heads-up.

My friend and I will be able to get together in a couple of weeks to get it done and I will let you know how it goes. In the meantime, I will try to find a 2nd friend to provide the 5th hand.

Thanks again for your help!

[Felicia's Mom]

My RB Shadow was a medium haired cat. She got mats very easy. I used a seam ripper on her like like RP Cathouse suggested. The way I did it was to put my hand on Shadow, put the mat between my fingers. That way, if the ripper would slip, it would hit my hand and not the cat.

[Sweetie's Mom]

Thanks for the visual image - I couldn't figure out how to use the seam ripper safely but you answered that for me. Then I wouldn't have to be so concerned about the skin folding into the clipper blade.

[musicmaker]

i heard you can work talc powder into the mats and it helps loosen it,but before you do,ask addicted to cats,i could be wrong