Fur cutting

[jazzzytina]

I need some advice - is it ok to cut matted hair off a really old cat? Or should I just leave it? I tried giving him a bath and using a pet conditioner so that I could brush the matts out, but it's not working very well. Unfortunately, Pep is so thin under his thick fur that I'm afraid I'll hurt him if I brush him too vigorously. Would cutting his hair help, or would it traumatize him too much? He is fairly easily traumatized, although I think now he has Alzheimers and doesn't care about much. We just want him to be comfy and happy. We've been feeding him cat vitamins hoping that will help. Again, the vet says old age, and we could put him down if we wanted to but of course, we don't want to.

Any advice would be most appreciated. :( :confused:

[jazzcat]

I cut mats off Ripley with no problems. I think it would be okay too, just make sure not to cut the skin. I'd think the relief he will get from having the mats removed would overshadow any trauma from having it done.

Good luck. I hope things go well for Pep. He certainly is handsome.

[RedHedd]

I bought the greatest tool for mats at Petco - Mishi's fur mats terribly. This tool is pricey, but worth it!
http://www.petco.com/assets/product_images/5/5879930001B.jpg
http://www.petco.com/product_info.asp?familyid=6376&sku=5879930001&tab=2&dept_id=608&c1=581&c2=606&c3=608&ct1=Grooming&ct2=Tools&ct3=Dematting%2C+Combs+%26+Shedding+Blades

[catlady1945]

I got a special comb at the vet's which works quite well if they aren't too matted. Our old girl was so bad, though, we had to get her shaved at the vet because I was really afraid to cut her skin.

[catfancier]

If you do, be careful. I've seen a cat come in to the clinic after the owners tried cutting mats out, and they cut into the skin around the cats neck and gave it a wound about 1.5cm in length. The cat had to be sutured up again. Not a pleasant experience for anyone!

We have an old cat at the shelter who is short haired but very matted, no one tries to brush him though because he is so sensitive and his skin is getting quite thin - it would do more harm than good for this poor guy unfortunately.

[jazzzytina]

Thanks for the advice - but poor Pep passed away a couple weeks ago. He was 19, so he lived a good long life. I'll remember that for my other cats, though. :) Thanks again

[catfancier]

I'm so sorry to hear that - I know you must be feeling the loss immeasurably.
When I think about Sophie's life (she's 19 at the moment), I know she won't have a lot longer left, but I will be happy that she has had such a good life and has lived so long. I hope that among these dark times, you will hold those thoughts and smile when you think about Pep.
If you need to talk about him, please do so through PT - you know there is a lot of support for you here.
Once again, sorry for your loss. :(