Fur Mats

[NoahsMommy]

Is that even how you spell that???

Anyway, I was rubbing Noah's always crumpled-haired belly the other day and found a mat (large tangle) under his front, left "arm". So, I got out the scissors and cut it away. He let me brush him, (only with my hair brush) and I found another one. This one was where his....uh...manhood used to be. I had to have hubby come over and make sure it was a tangle and that I wasn't gropping my cat! Poor thing. Mommy is crazy.

I could only cut the edge of it before Noah had enough. I haven't been able to get at it, he seems to be laying on his tummy more.

We normally have Noah shaved when its hot out, (I'm thinking of doing it now as its been over 80 degrees for weeks) and for this exact reason. I want to get a good brush that he'll like that will work. The cat brushes we have are just OK. I got them all at PetSmart and Noah doesn't like them.

Do you all have any suggestions on a GOOD cat brush??

[jenluckenbach]

here's the "poop" on cat grooming. (trust me)



NEVER use a scissor on a cat!

for short hair cats.....small slicker brush

for long haired cats.......the BEST tool Ihave ever found in 19 of grooming cats.....a shedding comb. This is a comb with alternating long and short teeth. For general upkeep, just comb as usual, but for a mat or any matted area use a "picking" motion. I have seen mats the size of your fist just pull out of a cats coat with this tool, a little elbow grease and very little discomfort to the cat. you can use the slicker brush, too.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Sounds like Jen has the best idea for this one. I use just a plain old comb for Peanut. She doesn't like any of the brushes that I have and one day I started with just the comb and she like it, so that's what we use. Tubby likes brushes, but he's not as much of a problem as Peanut with her longer hair. She gets the mats too, under her arms too - just like Noah. I use the "picking" action described by Jen to get it out. You will eventually loosen enough hair that the entire mat will just pull right out.

Good luck, and I envy you the 80 degree weather!!! We've got at least an inch of snow on the ground today and it's still coming down.

[slick]

On Max, I also use just a plain old comb that I bought at a pet store. Sometimes I have to use a flea comb to loosen the mat but it seems to work. And yes, it's always between the legs.....

slick
max & speckles

[boscibo]

Bo gets mats, arrgghh. Usually on his back, and when he gets one, he gets a bunch all at the same time. I swear they form overnight, his hair is so thick I might miss them at first.

Brushing him at this time of year is not fun - he is so staticky he shoots off lightning bolts.

I use a fine-tooth comb, and hold the bottom of the mat so I'm not pulling at his skin, and then work it wth the comb, and I try to separate it with my fingers. I have to be really patient, sometimes it takes more than one try to get them out.

So far this year he hasn't gotten any mats, knock on wood. I hope we can make it through the winter...

[popcornbird]

Originally posted by NoahsMommy

We normally have Noah shaved when its hot out, (I'm thinking of doing it now as its been over 80 degrees for weeks) and for this exact reason. I want to get a good brush that he'll like that will work. The cat brushes we have are just OK. I got them all at PetSmart and Noah doesn't like them.

Over 80?!?!?! OMG! And I'm complaining about the heat here. Its 65. Its 80 here in the summer, with an occasional 100, sometime 110! It seems that this year, with a winter like this, it might be in the 100s the whole summer!!!!!!!!! Hope not!

[wolf_Q]

Aw, I always feel bad for the cats that have to be shaved at work. They always look so embarassed!

I never realized that cats matted so easily, but I've seen some REALLY matted cats. I don't think I would dare use the scissors either, its so hard to tell between fur and skin. Maybe if you don't want him shaved entirely, you could take him to a groomer and just spot shave the mats or places that tend to get tangled?

I think that a small slicker brush works nice. The comb world work good too, just make sure you get a metal one.

[JillLovesMinnie14yrs]

I am glad I stubled upon this thread. minnie REALLY needs help. Her fur is a mess, I am guilty of scissors, I've never cut her, I just needed a quick fix. I feel so bad because her fur isn't what it used to be. I am DEFINITELY going tomorrow to Petco and buying a shedding brush. It will probably be more expensive than a regular cat brush but it will be worth it!! Minnie needs a lot of care in this area. Thanks Jen!

[BastetsMum]

Bastet matts too. Even though she is a short hair, friction causes the fur to clump together. The vet told me never to use sissors on her because the skin of a cat is fragile. If she gets an underarm matt (like she has done in the past) the vet said to see if you can tease it out or call the vet and get it shaved off. The latter is much easier. I have only ever had to take her once to get that done but it does happen with short haired cats but not as often as long haired ones.

BTW its got little to do with poor kitty hygene and more to do with the weather. Hair likes to clump together. It attracts each other like a cat to a gecko!

The best fur combs i have found is the de-shedder brush and the slicker brush. My friend uses a children's nitt comb on her long haired cat.

[Barbara]

My friend Angie's other cat is a rescued Persian named Kaiser who had never been combed or brushed in his first years. So he had horrible mats when she kidnapped him (it's a different story) at the age of 2 or so. The first time he had to be shaved under anesthesia because no comb would have managed, the poor boy couldn't walk anymore

Since then, he gets shaved in summertime and he really likes it. He looks a little strange but he climbs on the trees and seems to enjoy it that he is more mobile -he definitely is not embarrassed. And from stroking Kaiser, I know how MooShoo must feel: like a suede hot water bottle.